JULIE BYRNE [US]

Julie Byrne has moved through the world as a characteristically private artist largely outside the public eye. Her music becomes an immersive atmosphere summoning both the expansive and the intimate; the evocative songcraft transcends genre as it flows between her signature fingerpicked guitar and a palette of synth tones. It is the sound of resource, of friendship that was never without romance, of loyalty that burns from within like a heart on fire, and the life force summoned in unrepeatable moments — raw, gorgeous, and wild.

HAYDEN PEDIGO [US]

Hayden Pedigo: Reshaping Acoustic Soundscapes

Hailing from Texas, Hayden Pedigo is a master of the acoustic guitar and a pioneer in soundscape composition. His musical journey, influenced by American primitive fingerpicking, Nick Drake, and experimental sound, has led to collaborations with renowned artists. Whether adopting playful online personas or crafting thought-provoking album art, Hayden’s creativity knows no bounds.

In his music, Hayden’s pristine soundscapes express a relentless pursuit of artistic perfection, as heard in his latest release, ‘The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored.’ This work represents a profound artistic journey, akin to “the dog chasing the mail truck – what do you do when you catch it?”

Hayden Pedigo’s sonic exploration transcends convention, blending tradition and innovation in his acoustic and soundscape compositions. Join him on his artistic voyage and witness a musician redefining the boundaries of sound and genre.

PETER KERNEL [CH]

Peter Kernel, a Swiss Canadian post-pop-art-punk duo formed in 2005 by Aris Bassetti and Barbara Lehnhoff (aka Camilla Sparksss), gained acclaim with their 2008 debut “How To Perform A Funeral.” With 800+ concerts blending pop, rock, and experimental sounds, they released notable albums like “White Death & Black Heart” (2011) and “Thrill Addict” (2015). In 2016, they scored “Il Nido,” and in 2017, launched “Peter Kernel & Their Wicked Orchestra.” Their acclaimed fourth album, “The Size Of The Night” (2018), marked them as important musicians. They contributed to projects like “La Strategia Dell’Acqua” (2018) and “L’Ombra Del Figlio” (2019). Celebrating their 15th anniversary in 2020, they released “Perseverance: 15 Years Of Peter Kernel,” a double LP with demos, b-sides, unreleased tracks, and live versions.

HHY & THE MACUMBAS [PT]

Come horns and trumpets, come echo and percussion. The descent into the subterranean fields is easy. But to retrace your steps into heaven’s air: There is the trouble, there is the toil. 

Beheaded Totem, the second album by the enigmatic Portuguese ensemble HHY & The Macumbas, leads us straight into the damp caves of our minds. Their 2014 debut Throat Permission Cut was described as “a massive synapses bombardment in a short circuit between Glenn Branca and Adrian Sherwood,” and yes: HHY & The Macumbas have continued their march into the undiscover’d countries of psychoacoustics. Febrile, haunting and at times overwhelming, Beheaded Totem is nothing short of a dream for the necro-tourist. Cerebral and alluring. Toxic. Welcome to the four-dimensional meltdown.

CEL – FELIX KUBIN & HUBERT ZELMER [DE/PL]

Felix Kubin, a multifaceted artist known for retrofuture electronic dance music, radio dramas, and orchestral compositions, teams up with Hubert Zelmer, a classically trained drummer and composer. Together, they form the duo CEL, crafting a debut album under the expert guidance of producer Tobias Levin. The album showcases rhythmic cadences and electrostatic discharges with instruments like vibraphone, xylophone, and African percussion. The result is a harmonious blend of Zelmer’s precision and Kubin’s eccentric electronics, creating a sense of controlled restlessness throughout the album. Each track, despite its varying intensity, fits seamlessly into the overall composition, offering a methodical exploration of excess. 

CANTENAC DAGAR [FR]

With the “well-known” combination of human beatboxing, banjo, and a cassette player, the French duo Cantenac Dagar creates their rax mix of loop-based beats and drone repetitions.

To truly understand their music, you have to experience them live on stage. Music without a beginning, music without an end. Their concerts are described as a gigantic fire spreading across the old world. Music on high alert.

ALABASTER DEPLUME [UK]

Gus Fairbairn, aka Alabaster DePlume, has a pocketful of phrases that he uses all the time whether he’s walking down the street or holding court with musicians and an audience. For a long time the Mancunian would tell anyone who’d listen that they were doing very well.  

More recently, it’s another phrase which has a similar effect and which belies his unwavering commitment to personal vulnerability and collective politics: “Don’t forget you’re precious.” A process that is people-first not product-first ensures that the music is unique; often gem-like. Alabaster DePlume’s songs are built on sonorous circular melodies and luminous tones that transmit calmness and generosity in warm waves – unless they’re raging against complacency and the everyday inhumanity of end times capitalism. Most importantly, he brings a valuable transparency to his work. “This is what I’m really doing,” he says. “I want to talk about why I’m doing this, and how I’m doing this. 

MARIAM THE BELIEVER [SE]

Mariam Wallentin has, for more than 15 years, composed and performed her experimental pop as one half of the duo Wildbirds & Peacedrums, and now solo as Mariam The Believer. She never shies away from challenging the listener, nor from creating the great melody.

You instantly recognise her vocal, that simultaneously possesses an unbelievable amount of strength and fragile beauty. This, combined with her compositional skills, has made her a sought-after collaborator for a schizophrenic variety of acts like the Swedish big band explosion ‘Fire! Orchestra’, Ben Frost, Deerhoof, St Vincent, Lykke Li and even Leonard Cohen. Just to name a few.

At Northern Winter Beat 24, you can expect to hear new music from her upcoming album ‘Breathing Techniques’. It is (from what we hear) going in a more orchestral direction. Think strings with a modern twist of keyboards and Mariam The Believer’s omnipresent rhythmic pop sensibilities.

HAYDEN PEDIGO [US]

Hayden Pedigo: Reshaping Acoustic Soundscapes

Hailing from Texas, Hayden Pedigo is a master of the acoustic guitar and a pioneer in soundscape composition. His musical journey, influenced by American primitive fingerpicking, Nick Drake, and experimental sound, has led to collaborations with renowned artists. Whether adopting playful online personas or crafting thought-provoking album art, Hayden’s creativity knows no bounds.

In his music, Hayden’s pristine soundscapes express a relentless pursuit of artistic perfection, as heard in his latest release, ‘The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored.’ This work represents a profound artistic journey, akin to “the dog chasing the mail truck – what do you do when you catch it?”

Hayden Pedigo’s sonic exploration transcends convention, blending tradition and innovation in his acoustic and soundscape compositions. Join him on his artistic voyage and witness a musician redefining the boundaries of sound and genre.