Electrocutango released their third album – CONTRASTES – in 2021, taking their unmistakable mix of argentine tango, jazzy beats and electronics a step further in a funky direction.
Electrocutango is considered one of the most dynamic, original and audacious expressions of the new tango movement. Their sound can be identified as tango with an electronic update, rather than electronica with ”exotic seasoning”. The music has a distinct identity based on tanguero musicianship with an original approach to fusions with anything from Cuba, Brazil, Puerto Rico, RnB, DnB, jazz or contemporary music.
The European tango-festivals as well as milongas and clubs gave their first CD “Felino” a warm welcome and its considered a classic within the electronic tango genre. Electrocutango was founded in Norway, and released its second CD ”Adrenalina” in Buenos Aires, where bandleader Joner was given the title ”Academico correspondiente” from the Argentine National Tango-Academy by none less than the legandary tango-poet Horacio Ferrer, who wrote:
“Sverre Indris Joner, a creative remarkable tanguista, has with Electrocutango obtained a solid, irreproachable and refined version of new tango in this 21st century.
This admirable Norwegian pianist, composer, arranger and director demonstrates that the tango still can keep its youthful aesthetic and challenging courage like in the old times.
His playing sometimes remind of my dear colleague Osvaldo Tarantino. His devotion for the styles of Salgán and Piazzolla shines through, using it as exquisite perfumes within a totally personal style full of rhythmic complexity reflected in his inspired and original compositions.”
The challenge for Electrocutango is to be innovative and free in a genre that can be locked to tradition in an almost dogmatic way. Particularly if you want to meet the dancing audience at home. Which is part of the ambition of Electrocutango. To play concert-music and being danceable at the same time.
Behind Electrocutango is the norwegian pianist and composer Sverre Indris Joner. Some lovestories never end. We have all heard what is needed to keep it alive, the little extra. And what happens if you neglect it…Thats bandleader Sverre Indris Joner s relation to argentine tango. After the first crush real love take over. He early began to play and compose music with emphasis on the latin genres. He writes music for everything from contemporary ballet and theatre to chamber music & film-music. His tango passion also take symphonic forms and he recently released a symphonic tango record with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra (KORK) where some of Electrocutango´s pieces are given an orchestral interpretation.
Joner is founder of the quartet Tango For 3 with its stamp interpretating a wide range of song from other genres as tango; from ABBA & James Bond to Grieg & Brahms.He has composed and arranged numerous tangos and other latin genres and performed as a soloist with symphony orchestras in Scandinavia, England and Germany. With Electrocutango Joner won the EDVARD-award as part of the theatre-piece “Tanghost” by director Per-Olav Sørensen, where the Argentine dancer Pablo Veron appeared as choreographer and dancer.
While playing in Academia Nacional del Tango in Buenos Aires bandleader Joner received the honorary title as Academic member (“Academico correspondiente”) from Ferrer.
In the press:
“This is gloriously uplifting music, with not a single weak track on the album. The interplay of strings, keyboard, bandoneón and drums bursts with energy and changing moods” – Songlines, UK
“Sverre Indris Joner has a life project that is about highlighting real, heartfelt, original and timeless music rooted in tango and adjacent delights. Here is another example of how he succeeds so violently with his venture…
No matter where I have met Sverre Indris Joner and his music, be it with Hovedøen Social Club, Tango for 3, La Descarga or with Electrocutango, Latin music with lots of tradition and innovation is involved. Of course, Joner is true to, in this case the tango’s DNA, but he both wants and can take it a step further as well. Joining Electrocutango on an excursion is nothing short of a real joy and delight…” Tor Hammerø, Nettavisen.
“…Pure excitement, the future of tango…”
“… Electronica, but keeping the elastic timing of the original argentine tango…”
“…Convincing and tasty..”
“…Full of moods to enjoy listening or to take you to the dancefloor…”
“…A percussive updating of Tango music, it sticks in your head. If you like electronic music it’s probably fun, if you like Tango music there are very few bands that re-invent it this well…”
– Review of “Contrastes” in Songlines, UK Huw Hennessy, Songlines
– Review of “Contrastes” in Norwegian music blog Salt Peanuts Jan Granlie
– Review of “Contrastes” in Norwegian news-site Nettavisa Tor Hammerø
– Review in dutch netmagazine of Adrenalina
– Review in norwegian cultureblog
-interview in Argentine newspaper La Nacion
– interview in Argentine newspaper Clarin
Electrocutango are:
- Sverre Indris Joner – piano, keyboard, programming.
- Odd Hannisdal – violin
- Steinar Haugerud – double bass
- Kaspar Uljas – bandoneon
- Andreas Bye – drums
