Both musicians come from Aalborg, at the northern tip of Jutland. They first met in 2013 and even had the idea of joining forces back then, but it took another six years, during which they pursued other projects, before it finally happened. They acknowledge that their musical backgrounds are quite different: “Nikolaj comes from Scandinavian jazz, while Jonas comes from roots, blues, and folk. Our music is therefore a sum of our individual contributions. We experiment with what sounds and structures our duo can create, and through long sessions, ideas emerge like seeds that eventually grow into pieces.”

Their music features catchy, continuous minimal motifs, melodies that sometimes echo traditional Danish songs and hymns, electronic sound effects and ambient textures, all grounded by compelling grooves. Svaneborg Kardyb is a duo that brings the proverbial “Nordic sound” into the magical atmosphere of the Center for International Light Art in Unna.

Photo: Michell Smedegaard Boysen