No one can ever quite predict what will trigger that strange and special moment of absolute clarity that sets a person on a life-changing
trajectory, but it’s something that’s instantly recognisable the moment it arrives. Elephant9’s keyboard player Ståle Storløkken eagerly cites French 20th century composer Olivier Messiaen’s Turangalîla Symphony, composed in the aftermath of World War Two, as his favourite piece of music of all time. “Regardless of any genre,” he emphasises.
However, he reveals there’s another piece of music that exerted a very specific influence on his development as a young player.
“It’s well written, well played and has a lot of nice sonic arrangements,” he explains rather matter-of-factly, before adding, “it was also when listening to this record the first time that I decided I had to buy a Hammond organ!” The album in question? ELP’s Tarkus.
Formed in 2006, Elephant9 have carved a distinctive path within Norway’s vibrant music scene. Alongside Storløkken, drummer Torstein Lofthus and bassist Nikolai Hængsle complete the trio who’ve just released their 10th album together. Following the same course charted on 2021’s Arrival Of The New Elders, Mythical River continues to explore a highly articulate blend of jazz sensibilities framed through the prism of driving psych-tinted rock. Thrumming bass, explosive drumming, acid-etched organ, overdriven electric piano and dreamfever Mellotron are all channelled into a sequence of smartly assembled instrumental numbers, whose thoughtful construction and visceral grooves act as a platform for their charismatic, wild spontaneity.
While some bands can find it difficult to adequately distil what they do live or in the rehearsal room, this trio haven’t had to worry when it comes to nailing the right take.
Bu hikaye Prog dergisinin Issue 153 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Prog dergisinin Issue 153 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
JAKKO M JAKSZYK
King Crimson's vocalist and guitarist shares anecdotes from his revealing new autobiography, discusses his lost career as a footballer and reveals what he said when he met the former king of pop.
A Part & Yet Apart
Sheffield-based 80s proggers Haze have returned with a new studio album, The Water's Edge - their third since their 2013 comeback record, The Last Battle. Prog catches up with threequarters of the band to discuss Haze's DIY ethos, the curse of prog and playing to Cumbrian sheep farmers.
CONTROLLED AIRSPACE
He's about to embark on Dream Theater's 40th Anniversary Tour, but keyboard maestro Jordan Rudess has taken time out to discuss his soaring new solo album, Permission To Fly.
On The Wing
Birds, break-ups, big choruses and the Charlie Chaplin effect can all be found on In Murmuration, the ninth album from Finland's Von Hertzen Brothers. But as they embrace their power pop influences, have the Finns cast off their prog wizard cloaks once and for all? Mikko von Hertzen talks about the Seattle influence, songwriting secrets and sax solos.
Fourth Dimension
The stock of melodic Northumberland-based proggers Stuckfish has been rising since they formed six years ago. Their fourth studio album, Stuckfish IV, represents an important watershed in the band's musical evolution. Co-founders Adrian Fisher and Phil Stuckey tell Prog about the diverse influences that have helped to shape it.
Symphly The Best
In the 70s, Barclay James Harvest almost bankrupted themselves by performing with an orchestra, but, several decades on, they’re celebrating last year’s performance with the Slaithwaite Philharmonic, captured on their latest live record, Philharmonic! The Orchestral Concert. John Lees reminisces over the band’s ambitious early years and bassist Craig Fletcher fills Prog in on JLBJH’s upcoming “progtastic” double album.
We've Not Been Expecting You
The unpredictable Frost* are back with Life In The Wires, a bold double concept album that revisits the mood of Milliontown. Bandleader Jem Godfrey tells Prog why he rolled out the solos on a record he describes as the most fun since their dazzling debut.
FAR HORIZONS AND PANORAMIC AMBITIONS
Dutch five-piece Lesoir have been steadily gathering momentum over the last 15 years, and they hope to build on that with their latest release, Push Back The Horizon. Vocalist/ instrumentalist Maartje Meessen and guitarist Ingo Dassen discuss the creation of their sixth album, working with Muse's production team, and their dream of bringing their intricate music to new audiences.
'I mean, what is classical nowadays?'
Tony Banks reflects on his role as a 21st-century classical composer.
There Can Be Only One!
Never meet your heroes, or so the saying goes, but Opeth have had a blast working with Ian Anderson on their latest, The Last Will And Testament. Bandleader Mikael Åkerfeldt and guitarist Fredrik Åkesson discuss the band's proggiest album to date, the return of the growl and why blood isn't always thicker than water.
