High on Life

What hits you immediately upon initially listening to Marvara’s debut release is the incredible whirlwind of energy coming from the band. Belgian bagpipe player Marieka van Ransbeeck self-describes her new ensemble as an ‘international party band’ creating an album fusing elements of free jazz with touches of the East alongside a huge helping of traditional Scandinavian rhythms and dances, and invariably plenty of catchy polska.

There’s a great deal of fun to the track titles on the album and the playing exhibits a joyful celebration throughout, even on the slower finale ‘Slow Tune’. Foot-stomping rhythms on the exuberant ‘Devil’s Polska’ alongside stirring modal harmonies will be hard to take off repeat. It isn’t far ahead of the equally catchy melody writing during the opening track ‘Underground Schottisch’.

Founded in 2019. Marvara is a culmination of Marieka van Ransbeeck’s two-year ‘life changing’ journey across Scandinavia. Studying the local folk music scene, she picked up a few musicians along the way, including a Danish cittern player, Danish double bass player and Swedish percussionist, alongside a fellow Belgian accordionist. This spirited album is the result. Decorated dance tunes, surging modal harmonies and some humorous and purposely jagged rhythms will ensure that you too will be stomping, tapping and whistling along.