We’re Listening with EMW: the Big Name Draw of Alexela Kontserdimaja

The reason? For the first time ever, Norwegian indie folk duo Kings of Convenience were touring the Baltic nations. On October 22nd, they were at Hanzas Perons in Riga, Latvia. On October 24th they played the stage of Compensa Concert Hall in Vilnius, Lithuania. But on October 20th, the popular acoustic duo made their way to Alexela Kontserdimaja.

It's surprising that it was their first time in Estonia actually. The duo, consisting of Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe, have mixed on their musical palette the rhythms of samba and sophisticated indie pop melodies with a sensitive, European approach. Theirs is a style that synchronizes perfectly with the youthful contemporary Estonian outlook. At times, it brings to mind going for a hike on a cold January morning, or clutching a cup of tea while lounging by the window in a Le Corbusier chair. Sometimes it sounds like a group of friends at a dinner party.

Their music has always appeared at just the right time, since their 2001 debut album Quiet is the New Loud. A fitting name, owing to the power of their relatively sparse live and studio setup. At times, their concerts include upright bass, viola, and a drummer on a paired-down kit. Sometimes, audiences are known to sing along, like the band's own touring choir. But often, their shows are steered by the meeting of their two soft voices, Bøe's nylon string guitar, and Øye's steel string guitar arpeggi. Oh, and their cheeky but friendly Nordic banter, too. Watch their documentary on YouTube to see for yourself. They are certainly due for a tour in Canada!