Fire! / I Like To Sleep

• I Like To Sleep

For ten years, I Like To Sleep has been one of Norway's most acclaimed power jazz bands. The trio, consisting of Amund Storløkken Åse (vibraphone, mellotron), Nicolas Leirtrø (bass, guitar) and Øyvind Leite (drums) is known for their explosive energy and innovative sound. Like Fire! they combine the heavy sound of rock and the free spirit of jazz. In 2025, they will celebrate their ten-year anniversary with the release of a fifth studio album, featuring as guest musician ... Mats Gustafsson of Fire!

• Fire!
(Mats Gustafsson, Johan Berthling & Andreas Werliin)

Swedish jazz-rock trio Fire! consists of saxophonist Mats Gustafsson, bassist Johan Berthling and drummer Andreas Werliin. The latter two played with Oren Ambarchi's Ghosted in STUK last year. Mats Gustafsson is one of the strongholds of the Scandinavian free jazz scene. The band formed during a spontaneous jam session in a Stockholm café. The bar crew had to hold the glasses in their racks afraid they would break of the sheer volume produced by the newborn trio. Since 2009, Fire! - and their offshoot, the big band Fire! Orchestra - released a whole series of albums, all on Norwegian label Rune Grammofon, like the most recent one Testament (produced by Steve Albini). Whether you call their music “jazz” or “rock”, Fire! excels in a raw, dark sound, hypnotic drum-and-bass grooves and Gustafsson's ecstatic saxophone style. Smashed Roadburn this year!