ctrl LIVE: Svaneborg Kardyb [DK]

Winners of two Danish Music Awards Jazz in 2019 (New Artist of the Year and Composer of the Year), Svaneborg Kardyb are bringing their ever-evolving sound to the audience of Control on Thursday, May 7.

The Danish duo, Nikolaj Svaneborg (keys) and Jonas Kardyb (drums, percussion) craft intricate, cyclical compositions that balance introspective warmth with an underlying sense of movement. Jazz-tinged minimalism that drifts between contemplation and momentum, where soft Wurlitzer swells and crisp percussion ripple like echoes in still water.

Their latest album, “Superkilen”, is named after a public park in the ethnically diverse Nørrebro district of Copenhagen. Its title feels emblematic of their music, which, equally inventively, creates space and serenity as a tonic within the tense and cluttered environment of 2020’s living. In the same way that the regeneration project has transformed that neighbourhood, Svaneborg Kardyb have drawn on that positive energy to help instigate changes in their own music.

Nikolaj Svaneborg says that his gentle, silky style on the keys derives from the Young Chang model he learnt on as a child at home.

“With instrumental music,” he reflects, “there are no words, so there's nothing separating everybody – everybody is on the same page, so we can really connect with people. We have a song called ‘Freudesang’, which means ‘The Whistling Tune’. We play it at every show, and we conduct people into whistling along, and everybody can do it. It's that Højskole vibe, but we found you can do it in Romania, and it’ll be fun. It also worked in Canada, Prague and the UK.” And with Superkilen released on October 24 you get the feeling that many more people around the world will soon discover the charm and quiet intensity at the heart of their music.

“Their sound floats and twinkles like it’s from another place… there’s myth and magic there” – Elizabeth Alker, BBC Radio 3

“Over Tage’s warm embrace is like a thick Nordic knit on a hostile day” ★★★★ – MOJO

Listen: Svaneborg Kardyb - Tiny (home) desk concert

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* Children ages 12 and under are not allowed.

** Children up to 16 years old need a valid ticket and must be accompanied by a parent with a valid ticket.
*** Minors aged 16 to 18 years old have access with a valid ticket.
**** Serving and alcohol consumption are strictly forbidden for all minors.