Estonia borders Russia as well as Ukraine sharing close cultural ties with both countries - until the Russian invasion. Now, the music festival is at a cross-roads in the most literal sense. In resistance to the Russian aggression, Tallinn Music Week teamed up with Narva, the city that is connected to Russia by a bridge. Writer Dan Cole attended TMW and shares his impressions of a festival that aims to support and show solidarity through music, art, and exchange.
Ibeyi, the twins. Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Diaz, the sister duo that moves in between worlds physically and spiritually. Raised between Cuba and France, they draw from their Afro-Cuban roots and Yoruba traditions as well as from contemporary Afro-beat scene and Latin jazz. They just released their third LP "Spell 31", which pays tribute to the ancestry and the traditions present in the musicians' upbringing and bridges earthly explorations with celestial connectivity.
After 2019’s much-praised 'Remind Me Tomorrow', Sharon Van Etten now returns with her immensely personal new album 'We've Been Going About This All Wrong'. In our in-depth conversation with the American singer-songwriter, Van Etten kindly shares her thoughts with us on juggling motherhood and a successful music career, finding a sense of community in difficult times and the benefits of working on her own terms.
It has been 11 years since the Berlin outfit Bodi Bill released their last album "What?". Now, the collective is finally back with a new LP. NBHAP author Miriam used the opportunity to talk to Fabian Fenk, the head of the project, about the changes in the band structure and the new record "I Love You I Do".
Awaiting its anticipated full capacity return, the prestigious XJAZZ! Festival is about to unleash its most promising edition so far, showcasing the boundless exciting international jazz landscape from May 4 to 8. NBHAP co-head Andreas spoke with founder and artistic director Sebastian Studnitzky about the beginning and the future of the festival.
After six years without a new full-length, British indie rock heroes Bloc Party resurface with a record that is both – acknowledgment of their own past and beginning of a new era. But does their furious sound still have a place in this world and can reconnect with old and potential new fans? Departing NBHAP head Norman Fleischer is a die-hard fan of the group and spoke with mastermind Kele Okereke about the difficult path to make “Alpha Games” happen in the first place.
The Tallinn Music Week is taking place for the 14th time from May 4th to 8th. But this year is different than before. In February, Estonia's neighbour Russia invaded Ukraine. In a gesture of resistance TMW 2022 splits its focus between Tallinn and the eastern city Narva. We spoke to the co-curator Ingrid Kohtla to learn more about the hopes and struggles of the festival.
For her second album “five seconds flat”, songwriter Lizzy McAlpine went to great lengths to peel off the indie folk recognition of her debut from two years back. NBHAP editor Andreas zoomed up the rising pop phenomenon to chat about growing out of folk music, our ever-lasting urge to start anew and how the record reflects her matured state of mind.
