F/uister

David Ahlen/ 1921 (Swe)

16-20 Nov. 2016

Volkoren label tour: David Ahlen + Charles Henri Maulini
21.02   Middelburg (NL) Het koffiepand
22.02   Gouda (NL) De Agnietenkapel
23.02   Slijk-Ewijk  (NL) Galerie 1400
24.02   Dordrecht (NL) Trinitatiskapel (isw Bibelot + Fieldhead)
25.02   Ede (NL) De Wissel

Spotify David Ahlen   Spotify 1921   Website David Ahlen   Website 1921

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David Ahlen
In September 2016, Swedish singer-songwriter David Åhlén released his wonderful album ‘Hidden Light’ on the Volkoren label. Connoisseurs and critics praised this album as a masterpiece within its genre. Both the video and the music drag you into a captivating atmosphere – one that is typical for David’s works. Offer this music your time and concentration, and you will start to dream away towards David’s actual home: a remote island, covered in nature. Drift away on his high and fragile voice, perfectly fitting the pure, vulnerable and sometimes hypnotic songs.

Hidden Light: Hidden Light

Links: Website, Facebook, Spotify

1921
1921 is a cooperation between David Åhlén and Andreas Eklöf’.  In their collaboration, 1921, both of their musical expressions have reached full force while being united in an almost unimaginable manner. David’s timeless melodies and angelic falsetto voice, which have inspired e.g. SVT Kulturnyheterna to name him the Arvo Pärt of indie pop, are interlaced with Andreas Eklöf’s electronic-organic soundscape, full of harmony and counterpoint.

Together, they create an electronic chamber music of sorts. This collaboration between an inimitable voice and an electroacoustic composer brings to mind Jon and Vangelis. The similarities may end there, but there is also a touch point in that both groups create an epic soundscape where one readily lingers.

n my veins” marks David Åhlén’s return to the Compunctio label (“We sprout in thy soil,” 2009) and Andreas Eklöf’s continuation after the Manifest-winning album “Klavikord” (Compunctio 2013). Even while working on the album “We sprout in thy soil,” David and Andreas collaborated, then as now, with producer Andreas Runeson.

In their collaboration, 1921, both of their musical expressions have reached full force while being united in an almost unimaginable manner. David’s timeless melodies and angelic falsetto voice, which have inspired e.g. SVT Kulturnyheterna to name him the Arvo Pärt of indie pop, are interlaced with Andreas Eklöf’s electronic-organic soundscape, full of harmony and counterpoint.

Together, they create an electronic chamber music of sorts. This collaboration between an inimitable voice and an electroacoustic composer brings to mind Jon and Vangelis. The similarities may end there, but there is also a touch point in that both groups create an epic soundscape where one readily lingers.

David Åhlén had his debut as a solo artist with the vinyl single, “Wasted breaths” (2007), and has since released three critically acclaimed solo albums: “We Sprout in Thy Soil” (2009), “Selah” (2013), “Hidden Light” (2016). He has also collaborated with musicians such as Nicolai Dunger, Sofia Jernberg, Mariam Wallentin, Emil Svanängen, Andreaz Hedén, Stefan Östersjö and Svante Henryson.

Andreas Eklöf composes contemporary art music, electronic music, pop, and film soundtracks. His debut album, “NOR” (Compunctio, 2008), was listed as an album of the year by “The Wire.” His music has been performed at e.g. The Stone (NYC), the ICMA Festival (International Music Association), Gothenburg Art Sounds (GAS), and Umeå Jazz Festival. He has also collaborated with musicians such as the pianist and composer Mats Persson, Erik Karlsson (violinist and founder of New York Miniaturist Ensemble), percussionists Amund Sjølie Sveen och Olof Wendell, and the guitar ensemble The Gothenburg Combo.

In mei 2016 kwam de Zweedse singer-songwriter David Åhlén met een nieuwe single, ‘Hidden Light’, een prachtig voorproefje van zijn nieuwe album, dat in september 2017 bij het Volkoren label is verschenen. Kenners en critici zijn het nu al eens dat dit album een klein meesterwerk is. Zowel de video als de muziek nemen je meteen mee in de sfeer die hij elke keer zo goed weet neer te zetten. Het is muziek waar je de tijd voor zal nemen, om in mee te dromen en uiteindelijk terecht te komen op de plek waar het ontstaan is. Daar waar Åhlén zelf woont, een afgelegen eiland verscholen in de natuur. Laat je meevoeren door het hoge en broze stemgeluid, dat perfect past bij de puurheid van kwetsbare en soms hypnotiserende nummers.