The pseudo-empirical studies conducted by this festival have yielded results that show a significant increase in pop-musical self-employment in this city. Handjerks, one of the most promising of these free agents, operates between pop, production and songwriting. Born in Oslo and raised in Berlin, he was trained in Scandinavian studies, philosophy, film, literature, and cultural studies. The project’s sonic and visual landscapes are constructed out of minimal pop and maximalist sound events that engage with the topics of politics, emotion, and queerness. We’re particularly impressed by the often-dramatic timbre of his throaty voice, which dominates the subtly orchestrated and rhythmically compelling tracks with baroque emotionality. As far as this project goes, you can count on quality, hit potential, and a feeling of discovery.

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