KAVE
In the present era of media saturation, the artist's dilemma has shifted away from the question whether to fuse disparate stylistic elements, towards the decision of which energies to draw upon: a situation most rewarding for those who listen to musicians navigating this limitless terrain. One such journey, the captivating full-length release from the new Kave quartet coming out this May, is bringing together players who are equally well-versed in the quick-thinking mechanics of free group improvisation and the compositional strategies of contemplative ‘ambient’ electronic music. With Rohrer acting as creative director and most of the quartet sharing synthesizer duties, there’s a strong sense of unified purpose to this set, and a narrative flow that never causes the listener to focus on one constituent part at the expense of the whole. At the same time, the players know all well that cohesion counts for little without those constituent parts being compelling in their own right.
Rohrer and Loderbauer, for example, have previously crafted a unique techno-organic approach with the Ambiq trio, and the lessons learned from that partnership are put to inspired use within this new configuration. Stian Westerhus’ contributions on guitar and vocals, along with Tobias Freund’s electronic reinforcements - Freund also has worked since many years with Max Loderbauer as NSI - all conspire to make something that Rohrer aptly compares as “forest”-like. It’s a descriptor that will have vastly different meanings for each listener.
Rohrer describes his music as deeply rooted, blending mystery with brightness and showcasing its dynamism through diversification. The quartet's track 'Cambium' introduces this theme with a captivating foundation marked by atmospheric synths and rhythms. 'Hibernation' captures a blend of vulnerability and determination, while 'Giant Peach' offers a nostalgic nod to Roald Dahl's dark whimsy. 'Divided We Fall' masterfully merges organic and electronic elements, highlighted by Westerhus' haunting vocals. The album seamlessly weaves these elements, presenting both risks and a well-crafted evolution.