It's starting to look like string instruments are making a comeback! Over the last few years, these four musicians have been making waves internationally by using their string instruments to produce quirky contemporary music, from jazz to post-rock to modern classical music.ï»ż
Discover them here:
Alina Bzhezhinska (HipHarpCollective) - SUN MAY 7 - LAST TICKETS
The Ukraine-born but London-based harpist doesnât disguise her influences: âHipHarp draws from a variety of influences from the likes of Dorothy Ahbyâs âAfro-harpingâ, Alice Coltrane & Joe Hendersonâs free form jazz experimentation as well as 90s trip hop and afrobeat.â
Collaborations have previously taken place with good folk like Pharoah Sanders, Gregory Porter, Kamaal Williams and Shabaka Hutchings. Lastly, we also ready somewhere, loud & clear: âAlina Bzhezhinska is one of the leading harpists in the world today, a one-woman powerhouse on a mission to bring the harp to the fore of contemporary sound.â Duly noted!
Nile On waX ft. Catherine Graindorge
In addition to a successful solo career and collaborations with the likes of Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, John Parish and Hugo Race, Brussels-based violinist Catherine Graindorge is also frontwoman for Nile On WaX.
This trioâs sound is described by Le Vif as âintense and hazy, somewhere between post-rock, jazz, psychedelica, western soundtrack and an urban night walkâ.
After three albums, compositions for dance, and writing soundtracks (films van Hal Hartley, Karim Ouelhaj), Nile On waX will release their fourth album "After Heaven" on 19 May via German label Tonzonen Records.
EydĂs Evensen - WED 7 JUN 23
Icelandic pianist/composer EydĂs Evensen hails from the remote, 800 (!) person, community of northern Icelandic city BlönduĂłs. Her influences, she says, range from Tchaikovsky to Radiohead to Led Zeppelin. After her debut 'Bylur' (from 2021), she was immediately picked up by The Line Of Best Fit and KEXP.Â
Brandee Younger Trio - SUN 29 OCT 23