Jaga Jazzist
Future Music|July 2020
Jaga Jazzist’s genre-defying hybrid of styles has reshaped contemporary jazz fusion. Danny Turner questions Lars Horntveth and Marcus Forsgren on the inner-workings of their ninth album, Pyramid
Danny Turner
Jaga Jazzist

Formed in 1994 when Lars and Martin Horntveth were mere teenagers, Jaga Jazzist first introduced the world to their progressive experimental jazz project with the debut album Jævla Jazzist Grete Stitz. Lauded for their originality and exhilarating live shows, the collective signed to Oslo independent Smalltown Supersound and recorded A Livingroom Hush (2002). An imaginative combination of lounge jazz, dub, post-rock and textured electronics, it was voted ‘Jazz Album of the Year’ by the BBC.

As Lars Horntveth took control of writing duties, the Norwegian ensemble maintained their unorthodox approach to multi-instrumentalism, revitalizing their sound with a spate of critically acclaimed experimental releases. Now debuting on Flying Lotus’s Brainfeeder label, Jaga Jazzist’s latest long-player, the conceptual Pyramid, saw the collective deliberately cutting themselves off from the world to focus on recording – spending two weeks bunkered in secluded Swedish woodland.

Tell us about some of your influences. One that stands out is the British band Talk Talk?

Lars: “Someone said we like Talk Talk around 2001 and that got stuck onto some press releases, but they’re just one of the bands we listen to. Jaga Jazzist has a strong influence from ’60s, ’70s and even ’80s Norwegian and European jazz, but the most inspiring people for us are those artists willing to go to different places. 20 years ago, Cornelius was a big one because he was willing to combine all these crazy different styles to see what happens.”

Denne historien er fra July 2020-utgaven av Future Music.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra July 2020-utgaven av Future Music.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA FUTURE MUSICSe alt
SONIC DESTRUCTION
Future Music

SONIC DESTRUCTION

From overdriven signal paths to rhythmic malfunctions, there’s plenty of creativity to be found by doing things just a little bit wrong

time-read
10+ mins  |
Autumn 2021
Feed Me
Future Music

Feed Me

EDM producer Jon Gooch revives his cartoonish Feed Me moniker. Danny Turner finds out how the use of live instrumentation changed his production approach

time-read
10+ mins  |
Autumn 2021
Exploring Akai MPC
Future Music

Exploring Akai MPC

Leo Maymind takes a detailed look at an iconic groovebox whose influence helped shape modern hip-hop and much more besides

time-read
8 mins  |
Autumn 2021
Liars
Future Music

Liars

Dissolving the contours of rock and electronics, Danny Turner charts the making of Liars’ 10th album with Angus Andrew and Laurence Pike

time-read
10+ mins  |
Autumn 2021
Jean-Michel Jarre
Future Music

Jean-Michel Jarre

The pioneering musician who introduced generations to futuristic sounds the first time around is at it again. He joins Matt Mullen to talk experiments in VR gigging, spatial audio and more...

time-read
10 mins  |
Autumn 2021
Noise
Future Music

Noise

With roots as far back as 1913, noise is the genre that’s also a state of mind

time-read
4 mins  |
Autumn 2021
1010 Music Bitbox mk2 £549
Future Music

1010 Music Bitbox mk2 £549

Rob Redman finds out whether this updated sampler box of tricks contains any more surprises

time-read
3 mins  |
Autumn 2021
Erica Synths and Sonic Potions LXR-02 £499
Future Music

Erica Synths and Sonic Potions LXR-02 £499

Rob Redman braces himself for another resurrected blast from the past

time-read
6 mins  |
Autumn 2021
Modal SKULPTsynth SE £169
Future Music

Modal SKULPTsynth SE £169

Modal are back with an update to their SKULPT synth. Bruce Aisher takes a listen to see if it can rustle up a big sound

time-read
3 mins  |
Autumn 2021
Reason Studios Reason 12 £399
Future Music

Reason Studios Reason 12 £399

Now in both DAW and plugin realms, Reason gains a sampler and refreshed Combinator. Si Truss investigates

time-read
3 mins  |
Autumn 2021