Liima is a new band formed by Finnish percussionist Tatu Rönkkö plus Mads Brauer, Casper Clausen and Rasmus Stolberg of Danish act Efterklang.

Their debut album ii features songs written in Finland, Berlin, Istanbul and Madeira during four week-long residencies, each place influencing the sound, sometimes literally through field recording and sampling. Every residency ended with a live concert, performing the freshly written songs in front of an audience.

Translated from Finnish as ‘glue’, Liima found the spontaneity of writing and performing in a limited time frame hugely liberating. From a simple live set-up – synthesizers, drum samplers, vocals, effects pedals and a bass guitar – the four were able to draw upon their creative dynamic, playing by intuition like a collective conscience, to shape improvised sketches and ideas into songs. They took the same instinctive approach when recording the album. In October 2015 the band along with producer Jonas Verwijnen headed to Vox-Ton studio in Berlin, recording the album in just three days, playing everything together live with no overdubs. ii was mixed to tape by Francesco Donadello.

The first track to be taken from ii, “Amerika”, is accompanied by an Olivier Groulx-directed video. Filmed on location in America (specifically Palmdale, CA), it was shot entirely on a smartphone and serves as an intriguing visual introduction to Liima.

Liima begin 2016 with further residencies in London and Copenhagen, as well as a UK and European tour in the Spring. The four-piece will be artists-in-residence at London EDITION Hotel from January 17-20. Liima will perform the music created in those three days to a private audience on January 20th.

LIIMA TOUR DATES
January 14 – GRONINGEN, Eurosonic
March 3-4 – OSLO, By:Larm
March 31 – HELSINKI, Kuudes Linja
April 1-2 – TALLINN, Tallinn Music Week
April 8 – BRUGGE, More Music Festival
April 9 – ROTTERDAM, Motel Mozaique Festival
April 11 – LONDON, Rich Mix
April 12 – LEEDS, Brudenell Social Club
April 13 – EDINBURGH, Summerhall Arts Venue
April 14 – GLASGOW, CCA
April 15 – MANCHESTER, Deaf Institute
April 16 – BRIGHTON, Patterns
April 17 – PARIS, Espace
April 19 – ZURICH, Bogen F
April 20 – NÜRNBERG, Z-Bau
April 21 – BERLIN, Berghain
April 28 – HANNOVER, Feinkost Lampe
April 29 – AARHUS, Spot Festival

Tatu Rönkkö – hand played beats on a MPC sampler and percussion
Mads Brauer – electronics and synthesizers
Casper Clausen – vocals and synth
Rasmus Stolberg – bass and synth