We Say…
The solo project of Linnea Hall, previously known as the vocalist in Malmö indie experimentalists Kluster B, Loaver featured on these pages back in August when she shared Bloom With Me. That was the first taste of Linnea’s new album, Fern, which was released at the end of last month on Rama Lama Records.
Loaver serves as Linnea’s attempt to showcase more strings to her musical bow, taking pop music as a starting point and dragging it off in a variety of directions, taking in elements of trip-hop, dream pop and jazz along the way. The result is Fern, a record that seems to always have something lurking around every corner; just as you’re settling into the luscious bedroom pop of Bloom With Me, it suddenly takes an arresting turn into the slinky bass-led trip of Devil Eyes, or the angular, atmospheric jazz of Apart. Fern is a record that seems to know no boundaries, always progressing, always intriguing, Loaver is a musician at the start of something very special.
They Say…
FTR: For those who don’t know who are Loaver?
Loaver is my solo project that emerged from a will to freely express different sides of me as well as of my musical taste. They’re all my songs, but I’ve been collaborating much with Emanuele (Maniscalco), who’s become somewhat of my band, tech geek and muse, haha. We recorded both the debut EP and this album, which we also produced together, while Giovanni Ferrario produced the first EP. Sometimes I can invite other musician friends or artists as well, depending on the occasion.
FTR: What can you remember about your first show?
The room was lit in pink. I was nervous and eager. It was on the 11/11 in Cologne, Italy, at a music festival in a library. Actually, it was literally a collaborative show between Loaver and Vaever, Emanuele’s improvisational instrumental solo project that he started just after mine. I remember it as being somewhat of a turning point for me expressing my own voice in music, as well as for playing together. Afterwards we had cinnamon buns (made by a Swedish old lady living there) with wine.
FTR: Why do you make music? Why not another art form?
Music contains so many layers. You can be something in between a writer/composer, a storyteller, a performance artist and a painter. As a child I wanted to become a painter and painted a lot to music, which then took hold of me in an even stronger way. Music can strike you through a sound, a phrase, a note or a tone. And I think it gets even more powerful all together. One can paint with both words and soundscapes. I also cry the most when listening to music.
FTR: What can people expect from the Loaver live show?
Well, I guess it can be quite intimate and change according to mood, atmosphere and tension. At times it can be more stripped down, other times filling the room more; sometimes we’ll go for more electronics, other times more acoustic elements. But I also enjoy mixing those two worlds. Then we tend to improvise some to keep songs alive.
FTR: What’s next for Loaver?
We were supposed to play a few concerts in Italy during the release weekend, also in Stockholm next weekend, but unfortunately corona was and is in the way… It all feels a bit sad but it’s something we just have to accept. Of course this pandemic has created a delicate situation for all artists, why it’s now so important to support culture in alternative ways. I hope we’ll be able to play in Stockholm in November and do some live-streaming concert. Otherwise, I have some songs I wrote last autumn and also recently that I’d like to record. But I really feel the urge to play live.
They Listen To…
Lisa Germano – Cancer Of Everything
For her bold sincerity in both her lyrics and way of singing. And for this freakin’ genius arrangement and production. I love her.
Julia Holter – Maxim’s II
Because of HER deciding what she wants in this song, not the market. I also really like this superb blend of experimental music, classical music and free jazz. She’s kind of pushing it, almost too far.
Grouper – Poison Tree
This song puts me in a meditating flow; I love these suggestive lyrics being sung with this kind of constant repetition — with only very small but important variations — to a piano that pours like a river.
Karen Dalton – Something on Your Mind
For her mature and smokey yet crispy voice together with these vibrating strings. I don’t know why but this song always motivates me to act or open up — also just to open a bottle of good wine in the kitchen while cooking. It’s just there. And Karen is always cooking.
Lisa Gerrard & Pieter Bourke – Sacrifice
Because it’s evident, I mean, just listen to Lisa here!
Fern is out now via Rama Lama Records. Click HERE for more information on Loaver.
For The Rabbits 