“The music is solemn and absolutely beautiful. It moves in fascinating cycles, all contributing to the experience that everything is thought through, and that this is an absolute North Atlantic masterpiece – thanks to the strength of the compositions, the excellent texts…, the full orchestra management, the instrumental virtuosity and the otherwise excellent production.”
“Gradually the band has become a towering force in modern Nordic music”
“A symphonic masterpiece”
Multi-award winning Afenginn started as a Balkan brass-inspired, deviously clever party band and has over two decades evolved from local cult fandom to prominence, first on the Scandinavian and then the European folk and rock festival circuit.
Afenginn has performed all over the world with their odyssey of grand compositions, odd meters, sonorous modes and the eccentric intensity of the north. Together, the elements combine in the nuance and intellectual glee of classical composition, while carrying the listener forward, the way a good rock song can. The effect is intoxicating.
Inquisitive, playful and imaginative, this acclaimed Danish 6-piece takes an anarchic approach to traditional musical structures. Meaning "intoxication and strength", Afenginn delivers fast-paced, high-octane shows fuelled by great joy, always seeking to cross borders and push the limits of their virtuosity and live performances.
Formed in Copenhagen in 2002, Afenginn has built up a reputation of virtuosity and excellent live shows worldwide.Their compositions range from lyrical and picturesque compositions to jagged up-tempo numbers in odd time signatures, always with a special rhythmic and melodic finesse which characterises Afenginn.
Afenginn has become one of the leading experimental folk voices in Scandinavia, known for their ambitious orchestrated works and captivating live performances.
Nearly familiar motifs with asymmetric rhythmic and harmonic developments guides the listener into a dusky borderland rife with epistemological shape shifting. The use of minimalistic patterning, which fluctuate between creating a tidal propulsion and a sense of austere fragility, is consistently contrasted against epic post-rock swells that are both sensual and disbanding.
Most of Afenginn’s career their albums and the concerts, have been through-composed. For the same reasons that Radiohead is sometimes labeled as prog, Afenginn can also be put into this camp for the way the emotional arc is designed to build across a whole performance. Themes and grooves expand across songs and the instruments are orchestrated to continuously shift roles, all which effectively pulls the audience into the band’s otherworld.
Afenginn’s artistic temperament is decisively independent and uncompromising, what sets them music apart from many fellow iconoclasts is a tendency for his writing to be imbued with warmth and compassion. One leaves an Afenginn concert feeling that they have feasted at the table of a most gracious host, filled by courses rich with untameable longings.
Afenginn has toured all over Europe, Australia and the US and performed at festivals, concert halls, venues, radio and TV holding audiences of all ages in the palms of their hands, receiving standing ovations wherever they went.
Members
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Rasmus Krøyer (b. 1975)
Instruments
clarinet, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet, vocals
Studies
Master of Arts Musicology, Copenhagen
Influences
The Albanian clarinettist Laver Bariu, Lee James Morgan (teacher from the Royal Danish Orchestra), music and musicians operating in the borderlines between classical, folk and improvisation.
Other bands
Astrozub, Krøyer & Winding Duo
Listens to
Chris Speed, Halvcirkel, Peter Sommer, Paul Simon, Brahms, Villagers, Maggie Björklund, Radiohead, Girls In Airports, Joe Henderson
More or less irrelevant info
Originally from the island of Langeland (DK), where he grew up playing football (until finding a guitar in his father’s house) and riding his bicycle. Currently living on the island of Taasinge with his wife and three children. Likes to go fishing, play the banjo, headstands and growing tomatoes. Prefers his coffee black.
Daily routines include drinking coffee, min 10 minutes of playing the piano and casting a glance at the falcons on the farm.
Speaks Danish, English, French and German.
Also works as manager for Copenhagen Girls Choir and occasionally as a teacher and fundraiser.
Plays classical music with his duo, to which he also composes.
In Afenginn since the beginning in 2002
rasmus @ afenginn . dk
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Kim Rafael Nyberg (b. 1976)
Instruments
mandolin, guitar, vocals
Studies
Musicology, University of Copenhagen
Influences
Classical, punk, folk music (Nordic, balkan). In his “formative” years artists like Jethro Tull, Mike Oldfield, the Doors, Boney M., Abba, Beatles, Bach, Beethoven
Other bands
Klingra, Vielsted, Dánjal, Astrozub
Listens to
Jóhann Jóhannsson, Sufjan Stevens, Radiohead, the Beatles, the Clash, Jethro Tull, Mike Oldfield, William Basinksi, Vildnis, Peter Sommer, Paul Simon, Tom Waits, Jonny Greenwood, Bob Dylan, AWVFS, Bon Iver, Éliane Radigue, Valgeir Sigurðsson, Arctic Monkeys, Alamaailman Vasarat, Alt-J, Anouar Brahem, Arvo Pärt, Astor Piazzolla, Nirvana, Beirut, Bob Hund, Cornelis Vreeswijk, Hedningarna, Kaizers Orchestra, Johnny Cash, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, the Raveonettes, Söndörgö, Yann Tiersen, Bach
More or less irrelevant info
Originally from southern Finland, where he grew up doing plenty of sports until starting to play music in punk bands, not going to the hairdresser and drinking beer. Currently living in the countryside in the middle of Zealand (Sjælland) Denmark on an allotment in a micro-houseshare, growing food and music. Father to three daughters. Likes fermented foods, permaculture, Faroe Islands and and earl grey with oat milk.
Daily routines include meditation, gardening and journalling.
Speaks Swedish, Danish, English, Finnish and a bit of German.
Also works as a composer for other ensembles, commissions, film, theatre and dance
Composer and bandleader in Afenginn and in the band since the beginning in 2002.
www.kimrafael.dk, www.klingra.dk
kim @ afenginn . dk
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Niels Skovmand (b. 1975)
Instrument
violin
Studies
Royal Academy of Music, Copenhagen / IT University, Copenhagen
Influences
Aunt Julie Friis Holm & Lavard Friis Holm (first teachers), Charles Burnham, Arvo Pärt
Other bands
None at the moments
Listens to
Kashmir, Arcade Fire, Herbie Hancock, Tool,
More or less irrelevant info
Originally from Djursland (DK) where he grew playing classical violin and riding his bike. Currently living by the shore of Roskilde Fjord with his wife and three daughters. Likes Italian food, to play violin and machiato.
Daily routines include changing diapers, listening to music and walks by the water
Speaks Danish, English, a fair bit of Faroese, Italian, German, French and Swedish.
Also works with web and digitalisation
In Afenginn since the beginning in 2002.
inkedin.com/in/niels-skovmand, facebook.com, instagram.com,
niels @ afenginn . dk
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Dánjal á Neystabø (b. 1979)
Instruments
piano, keys, vocals
Studies
Master in Music from Malmö Academy of Music, Bachelor in Social Science from University of Faroe Islands
Influences
Neil Young, William Heinesen, Dostojevsky, Tom Waits
Other bands
Klingra, Dánjal, Momo, Ævintýraferðin
Listens to
Keith Jarrett, Kraftwerk, Leonard Cohen, Roy Orbison, The Beatles, Billie Eilish, Rage Against the Machine, Guns’n Roses, Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Nirvana, Jethro Tull, Bach, Pantera, Pharrell Williams, Snoop Dog, Tom Waits, Neil Young
More or less irrelevant info
Born in Copenhagen and moved with his family to Tórshavn, Faroe Islands at the age of 5, where he spent his adolesence playing teenage rock. After living many years abroad (US, Sweden, Gambia, Denmark) he’s currently back in the Faroe Islands where he lives with his wife and three daughters. Likes indoor football (soccer), to play any game/cards/quiz/competitions where he can win, bread and cappuccino.
Daily routines include displacing the credit card (among other stuff), having dinner with his family and some creative work
Speaks Faroese, Danish, Swedish and English and can sing Dampmaskinemanden in some kind of German.
Also working as composer and lyricist for theatre, film and various art projects, as well as a music teacher from time to time.
In Afenginn since 2019
danjal @ afenginn . dk
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Erik Olevik (b. 1978)
Instruments
cello, bass guitar, vocals
Studies
Rhythmic Music Conservatory, Copenhagen
Influences
heavy metal, Rush, Bach, ECM jazz, Georg Ridel
Other bands
Søs Fenger, Det Glemte Kvarter, Dánjal, musical theatre
Listens to
Asgeir, Bo Sundström, Rush, Lars Gullin, Roots of Chicha, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Bob Marley
More or less irrelevant info
Originally from the archipelago by the west coast of Sweden, where he grew up playing hard rock with long hair and drove EPA traktor. Currently living in Copenhagen with his wife and two children. Likes when things function, shrimps on toast, his Volvo V70 and espresso with home roasted beans.
Daily routines include making breakfast for the family, double shot espresso and singing a lullabye
Speaks Swedish, Danish and English
Also working musician for theatre and recordings.
In Afenginn since the recording of Lux in 2011
erik @ afenginn . dk
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Ulrik Brohuus (b. 1978)
Instruments
drums, percussion, vocals
Studies
Rhythmic Music Conservatory, Copenhagen
Influences
Weather Report, jazz, classical and classical percussion, pop and rock, African tribal music
Other bands
Dánjal, Baun on Beatles, Rune Thorsteinsson Patchwork, theatre, Ras Mohammed Collective
Listens to
John Scofield, Keith Jarrett, Al Green, Beatles, Beck, Bob Marley, Chick Corea, David Bowie, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Fela Kuti, Frank Sinatra, AC/DC, James Brown, Kim Larsen, Lars Gullin, Los Mirlos, Medeski Martin & Wood, The Meters, Miles Davis, Nirvana, Oscar Peterson, Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, Prince, Rage Against the Machine, Ray Charles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, T-Bone Walker, Tom Waits, Thelonious Monk, Tower of Power, White Stripes, Zapp Zapp
More or less irrelevant info
Originally from the shores of Roskilde Fjord (DK) where he grew up playing jazz and funk and riding his bicycle. Currently living by the lake Furesø with his wife and two children. Likes history and has a storage of very diverse and slightly unusable facts in the head, making homemade schnapps, running and espresso.
Daily routines include practising on his drum pad, garden shower and running.
Speaks Danish and English, as well as German and Swedish rather than well, about every imaginable topic
Works as a musician for theatre and various projects, as well as a drum teacher.
In Afenginn since the recording of OPUS in 2015
linkedin.com/in/ulrik-brohuus, Baun on Beatles, Patchwork, Ras Mohammed Collective
ulrik @ afenginn . dk
Extra musicians (for OPUS)
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Kaare Munkholm
Instruments
marimba, vibraphone, piano
Other bands
Tango Orkestret, Bagdad Dagblad, Wombat, etc
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Knut Finsrud
Instrument
drums, percussion
Other bands
Simon Toldam Trio, Sekten, Samuel Hällkvist Center, Ravana, etc
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Jakob Johansen
Instrument:
trombone
Other bands
A long list of latin bands, balkan bands, rock bands…
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Vokalselskabet GLAS
Role
female choir
Other bands
Another band in themselves
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Ólavur Jákupsson
Role / instruments:
vocals
Other bands
Yann Tiersen
Projects
Afenginn are always pushing the boundaries for their artistic output and has done several genre defying projects that takes their live performances a notch up. Read more about some selected ones below :