Paal Nilssen-Love (solo)

What it is that flows through drummer and bandleader Paal Nilssen Love is a mystery.

For decades, he has released records and projects at a breakneck and extremely life affirming pace. He has constantly been traveling, both on the world map and in the irregularities of music. "I cannot remember ever being so impressed with a young talent," said Pat Metheny after playing a legendary trio job with Nilssen-Love and Arild Andersen at Moldejazz in 2001.

Paal Nilssen-Love is music, he breathes music, and he certainly also has music on his bread. If you have been to a jazz club somewhere in the world in the last decades, it is very likely that you have heard Nilssen-Love play, and not least seen him play so the sweat trickles on stage. And if you have been to an airport in your life, it is also likely that in the side view you have registered a guy walking around on cymbal bags and heavy newly purchased vinyl.

Paal has a background from the jazz line in Trondheim. He has become one of our most internationally renowned musicians due to his energetic and imaginative drumming. Paal is a versatile, innovative and uncompromising musician who works in many kinds of formats. The list of collaborators is endlessly long and includes everything from Peter Brøtzmann, Arto Lindsay, Ethiopian musicians, Neneh Cherry, to Joe McPhee and Jim O’Rourke.

In 2019, Paal was sponsored by the Swiss Cymbal and Gong producer Paiste, and after that thing took off. 7 Gongs later, this has become a favorite instrument for Nilssen-Love and there is no doubt that the sound and interaction of the gongs can move mountains and fjords. The gongs are prepared with everything from paper, Styrofoam, cones and knitting needles and the volume ranges from 10 to 120db. For the nerds, it can be informed that the deepest gong sounds at 68Hz (!)

No concerts with Paal are alike, and what he will offer during this summer's festival we do not know until we sit there on the day of the concert, full of anticipation and with our ears on a stalk! For Paal is always on the move.

Here today, gone tomorrow!