Articles by Kelman

About Humcrush

153

Humcrush with Sidsel Endresen: Ha!

by John Kelman
June 30, 2012

That so many artists can place themselves in a position of ultimate risk on a concert stage, attempting to create something from nothing, speaks of a certain intrepid spirit. That some of those same artists not only succeed at pulling form from the ether, but actually do so night after night, with a distinct and recognizable voice, speaks of something even more special. Not every night is equally successful, however, and between cell phones and YouTube, artists have lost control ...

470

Humcrush: Rest at Worlds End

Read "Rest at Worlds End" reviewed by John Kelman

by John Kelman
February 23, 2009

It's difficult to know, with the increasingly common integration of electronics and processing with acoustic instrumentation--and, furthermore, their expanding use as primary musical sources--if it's actually more accessible or if the ears are simply acclimatizing. Regardless, Humcrush's Rest at Worlds End is a testament to percussionist Thomas Strønen and keyboardist Ståle Storløkken's ability to create improvised pieces of often unexpected form and heightened beauty, all the while exploring the otherworldly soundscapes that make Humcrush another fine sonic innovator alongside Supersilent ...

303

Stronen/Storlokken: Humcrush

by John Kelman
November 22, 2004

Two young and significant members of the Norwegian improvising community--one, a percussionist who has played with everyone from saxophonist Iain Ballamy's Anglo-Norwegian free group Food to pianist Bobo Stenson's Parish Quartet; the other, a player who has worked with everyone from guitarist Terje Rypdal to Supersilent's trumpeter Arve Henriksen and drummer Jarle Vespestad. Percussion, keyboards and electronics, recorded live without the safety net of overdubs and retakes. The result? Percussionist Thomas Strønen and keyboardist Ståle Storløkken's Humcrush , an intriguing ...