Norwegian avant electronic-pop artist Jenny Hval recently released her sixth album Blood Bitch just this past month and we’re already in love with it. Friday October 8th, Hval hit Toronto’s Drake Underground for a live set & we knew we couldn’t miss it. From the moment she stepped on stage, Hval had the packed room captivated. The set focused on the new record, which is a stunning, thought provoking concept album that explores and investigates vampires, blood, art & more, all while both moving your body and your spirit. It’s a strong record and the live show does it justice and then some.
Hval’s talent & presence vibrates an energy in the room as she yells confessions and manipulates her breath between the beats that wind like a rollercoaster in a dream. It’s magic. In the small pauses we froze. She built us up, hypnotized & then brought the show to a soft close. “That was the end” she softly concluded as we gathered our jaws up off the floor. “We should have ended it on a big dance track, so just imagine that. It’s all in your mind anyways.” Indeed, it’s all in your mind anyways.
ps. Both Hval and the entire crowd were impeccably dressed. Style points on lock.
Jenny Hval’s Blood Bitch is out now on Sacred Bones, download a copy via iTunes here. You can also catch her live at the dates below.
Tour Dates
Sun. Oct. 9 – Washington, DC @ DC9 w/ Olga Bell
Mon. Oct. 17 – Glasgow, UK @ Stereo
Tue. Oct. 18 – Manchester, UK @ Soup Kitchen
Wed. Oct. 19 – London, UK @ Oslo w/ Kelly Lee Owens
Fri. Oct. 21 – Brussels, BE @ AB w/ Olga Bell
Sat. Oct. 22 – Paris, FR @ Point Ephemere w/ Olga Bell
Mon. Oct. 24 – Luzern, CH @ Suedpol
Wed. Oct. 26 – Berlin, DE @ Kantine am Berghain w/ Olga Bell
Thu. Oct. 27 – Amsterdam, NL @ De School w/ Olga Bell
Fri. Oct. 28 – Hamburg, DE @ Kampnagel
Sat. Oct. 29 – Copenhagen, DK @ Jazzhouse
Thurs. Nov. 3 Stavanger, NO @ Tungenes Fyr Lighthouse
Fri. Nov. 4 – Bergen, NO @ Ekko Festival
Sat. Nov. 5 – Trondheim, NO @ Kunstmuseum
Fri. Nov. 11 – Los Angeles, CA @ Resident
Sat. Nov. 12 – Oakland, CA @ Starline Social Club
Mon. Nov. 14 – Portland, OR @ Holocene
Tue. Nov. 15 – Seattle, WA @ Kremwerk
Wed. Nov. 16 – Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret
Thurs. Dec. 15 – Stockholm, SE @ Debaser Strand
Fri. Dec. 16 – Lund, SE @ Mejeriet
Sat. Dec. 17 – Göteburg, SE @ Folk