Shakai - Fragments (2024) [Hi-Res]

Formed in 2016 with band leader and bassist Eline Rafteseth at the helm, SHAKAI, which translates from the Japanese as “public” or “society”, the band released a very successful debut album in 2018, and followed it with various festival appearances that solidified the band’s growing reputation.

Now, with 2022 waning, and 2023 on the horizon, SHAKAI is back with a new lineup to go with its brand new record deal, and is ready to begin work on the band’s sophomore full-length album. At the same time, SHAKAI are determined not to let the grass grow beneath their collective feet, so, before entering Bergen’s Duper Studio with producers Jørgen Træen and Iver Sandøy, SHAKAI is set to play a series of dates around Norway.

As is usually the case with graduates from music conservatories, SHAKAI’s lineup of bassist, band leader and original founder Eline Rafteseth (NH3, SOFT NOISE ENSEMBLE, HEAVY ASTRO) on bass and vocals, includes Elisabeth Lid Trøen (BERGEN BIG BAND, TRØEN/ARNESEN KVARTETT) on saxophones, Gabriela Garrubo (GARRUBO, METTESON, AMALIE HOLT KLEIVE) on vocals, Simen Walle (ATARI, NELLY, MALUM) on guitars and Kenneth Kapstad (SPIDERGAWD, COBRA KRAFT, MONOLITHIC, GOAT THE HEAD, ex-MOTORPSYCHO etc.) on drums., brings with it a plethora of musical disciplines and backgrounds, firmly rooted in Jazz and Improvisation, along with a sound grounding gleaned from working with other bands and projects.