* En anglais uniquement
Ståle Storløkken and
Thomas Strønen, two veterans of the Norwegian experimental music scene, produce abstract electonic jazz under the name
Humcrush. Their improvised work can range from sparse, alien explorations to ecstatic bursts riddled with glitches.
Storløkken, a member of groups such as
Supersilent and
Motorpsycho, plays keyboards and electronics, sometimes including a Fender Rhodes run through guitar pedals, while
Food co-founder
Strønen plays skittering drums. The duo initiated the project with the 2004 album
Humcrush, which was billed to the two musicians' surnames, and was released by leading Norwegian avant-garde label Rune Grammofon. For the follow-up, 2006's
Hornswoggle, the duo officially adopted
Humcrush as their moniker. This was followed by 2008's
Rest at Worlds End. The duo's next release was 2011's
Ha!, a recording of a live collaboration with vocalist
Sidsel Endresen at Jazz Festival Willisau.
Humcrush returned in 2017 with
Enter Humcrush, a more propulsive, rock-influenced album, which appeared on Shhpuma, an imprint of the Portuguese Clean Feed label. ~ Paul Simpson