Karoline Wallace

Her own projects regularly draw on a wide variety of sources and inspirations, such as folk, rock, free jazz, ambient music and art-pop, yet one never gets the impression that she is simply throwing different elements together at random. Over the past eight years, Wallace has been involved in a wide range of projects, both as a bandleader and as a session musician and arranger.

Given this body of work, it comes as no surprise that her latest album, *Eon*, performed in a quintet formation, covers a similarly broad spectrum. Her previous projects as a bandleader were already promising, but with *Eon* Wallace has reached her zenith so far. As tempting as it may be to pick apart the various components of this musical body of work, not only would this be a futile endeavour, but it would also fail to do justice to its true character.

Wallace is backed by a fantastic band – comprising saxophonist Signe Emmeluth, who took her project BANSHEE to the stage at last year’s Jazzfest Berlin, guitarist Karl Bjorå, cellist Joel Ring and drummer Martin Langlie – and creates beautiful melodies that wind their way through ever-changing soundscapes. There are the airy ballads with their weightless electronic textures and Bjorå’s endlessly inventive guitar phrases and licks, which dance around the singer’s voice. Other songs, such as ‘Atlas’, generate a wild, scratchy din, making Langlie sound as though he’s hammering away at scrap metal, whilst Emmeluth jams on the alto saxophone and Bjorå produces loud phrases and runs that nestle into the rugged beats. Whether she whispers her lyrics or shouts them out, Wallace always remains firmly in control, whilst her arrangements skilfully balance the beauty of the lyrics with this unbridled sonic chaos. Her project Eon is celebrating its German premiere at this year’s Jazzfest Berlin.

Line-up

• Karoline Wallace – vocals, electronics
• Signe Emmeluth – alto saxophone, flute, electronics
• Karl Bjorå – guitar
• Joel Ring – cello
• Martin Langlie – drums, banjo, electronics