LUMEN DRONES
Genres: Jazz Related Improv, Composition • Norway

The Norwegian instrumental trio Lumen Drones call themselves a "psychedelic drone band." The lineup pairs Norway's celebrated Hardanger fiddle player Nils Økland with guitarist Per Steinar Lie and drummer Ørjan Haaland of the Low Frequency in Stereo. The Hardanger is a traditional Norwegian folk instrument made of thinner wood than a violin. Four of its strings are set in standard tuning while four more are "sympathetic" or "understrings" -- i.e. passive droning ones. Though the group claims Durutti Column and the Velvet Underground in their pool of influences, the one not listed is the one impossible not to hear: Australia's Dirty Three. Like their Down Under counterparts, the music is similarly orchestrated, and their compositions often open ended. But there are key differences too. The Hardanger's droning qualities add many harmonic, textural, and color dimensions to the palette. Lie is a sonically aggressive, experimental, and rhythmic guitarist while Haaland is read more...