On his forthcoming release on acclaimed label Stroom, the Copenhagen-based producer and electronic musician Anton Friiisgaard travels new paths, as he explores gamelan music from his own artistic perspective in close collaboration with Balinese musicians, afliated with Ubud’s acclaimed Gamelan scene.

After experiencing a concert with the ensemble Gamelan Salukat at Roskilde Festival in 2018, Friisgaard became inspired to contact Dewa Alit from the ensemble. With the aim of bringing forth a unique expression through the meeting of two distinct musical traditions, Friisgaard traveled to Ubud, Bali and spent 3 weeks in a private residence, recording, composing and improvising in close collaboration with the ensemble.

The result is his forthcoming album Teratai Åkande, which features artists Pande Made Gangga Sentana, I Nyoman Suwida, Dewa Badukz, Suryana Putra and Pande Made Gangga of Gamelan Salukat.

Conceptually, Teratai Åkande seeks to create a synthesis of acoustic and electronic expressions, establishing two worlds on each side of a metaphorical portal that the listener is welcomed to traverse. The result is a musical landscape which at once feels mysterious and hypnotic, while at the same time manifesting a sense of groundedness.

With its lucid underpinnings, the music thus feels as the crossing of a more mundane portal; namely that of slowly letting go of consciousness and falling into deep sleep, only to find oneself in the midst of vivid dreaming.

About Anton Friisgaard:

Anton Friisgaard (fka Hviledag) is an electronic producer and musician based in Copenhagen. Known primarily for his experimental work with tape loops and ambient soundscapes, he’s become an established fgure both in the Danish music scene as well as internationally. He has previously released music on labels such as Øen Records, Janushoved, Music_Is, A Quiet Room Recording and Forlaget Kornmod. His latest release Minor Blossoms was released on Vaagner in April 2024. Teratai Åkande is his debut for Stroom.