More Info
The three women and two men who make up Dearest Sisterform a band in the fullest sense. Their debut album, ‘CollectiveHeart’, is a prime example of a current musical development:extremely able young musicians with open minds and ears areapplying the rigour and the tools from their jazz training to find asound world that is very distinct from jazz.
The core of Dearest Sister is a very special creative duo: singer/ keyboardist Andrea Hatanmaa and pianist Ylva Almcrantz. Thetwo met while studying jazz and popular music at the MalmöAcademy of Music in Sweden, the city where the band is based.Raised on rock and pop music, Andrea Hatanmaa’s vocaltechnique is rock solid, and yet she doesn’t sound anything likea typical jazz singer. She says: “What is important to me is tomaster my craft, and to learn and assimilate as much aspossible from all directions, and then - whether I’m on stage orin the studio - to forget all that and find an individual voice andpersonal expression.”
It is not only Hatanmaa’s haunting voice, with its kaleidoscopeof facets and nuances, that shapes the music, but also the lyricsand concise, refined songwriting. Hatanmaa and Ylva Almcrantzform a songwriting partnership. The singer says: “Ylva is themusical genius in the band. She comes up with the mostbeautiful arrangements and has an amazing sixth sense formoods, sounds, dynamics, small and big melodies,”adding witha laugh, “I just have to be careful that it doesn’t all get toojazzy.”
‘Collective Heart’ is a fascinating and emotionally affectingalbum. These are strong musicians who are capable of offeringthe listener surprising contrasts and great authenticity. This ismusic in a constant state of evolution and discovery. DearestSister know what they are looking for, so if listeners find it on‘Collective Heart’, it is not going to be by accident: this is a bandwell aware of what they can bring, and that is something new,special, and very real.
Tracklist
Intro
Leave Me Be
Collective Heart
Confusion Of Reality
Maze
Reminisce
Prelude
Those Who Are Near
Pretending