Ja Ja Ja returns to The Lexington after our summer break…September’s roll call features the dramatic electronic pop of Sandra Kolstad (Norway), the atmospheric post-R&B of The xx’s new favourite band Phantom (Finland), and the gentle alt-folk of The White Album (Denmark).
Tickets £5 advance, £6 door.
7.30 doors
8.20 The White Album (30)
9.15 Phantom (30)
10.10 Sandra Kolstad (30)
10.45 Project Fresh Socks DJs
Sandra Kolstad makes electronic pop music that’s danceable, explosive and extravagant. She’s playlist and national newspaper material on her home turf, nominated at Oslo’s by:Larm festival for a new internationally-breaking artist award, and early responses to her forthcoming album'(Nothing Lasts) Forever’ – out 28th September on Trust Me Records – suggest this was as much a premonition than prediction. Known for her ambitious, highly visual performances, Kolstad is a classically trained pianist, swathed in kaleidoscopic projected lights, accompanied by noise musician Marck Fuck and long-standing collaborator Francis Petter Eldh, a Swedish jazz musician and improvisor.
In Helsinki January 2012, two musicians and startup entrepreneurs (Tommi Koskinen from Kitkaliitto and AudioDraft with Hanna Toivonen from Mukava Music) combined forces to become the beguiling electronic duo Phantom. They launched their first EP ‘Scars’ and music video at SXSW 2012 in Austin, Texas and since then they have drawn attention from around the world including a blog post from The xx and a positive Pitchfork review. They have also played several gigs abroad provoking rapturous responses, with the show incorporating stunning realtime Kinect visuals and an original handmade instrument (midi theremin) affectionately called UFO.
The White Album are from Copenhagen and consist of three very good friends – Claus Arvad, Frederik Vedersø, Jakob Eilsø- with big beards and very big hearts. Rooted in folk and indie they make music that transcends structural boundaries of both a practical and musical nature. Everybody is a frontman in this band, each distinct voice and composition finds it’s place in a soulful conglomerate of well-seasoned musical spirits. Just as the original ‘White Album’, there’s no right or wrong. Just ideas. Mostly wonderful ones.
