ØKSE (DK)

Description

Økse means Axe in Danish. But these four musicians have turned this hacking tool into a quite versatile instrument for their music. Perhaps the musical Swiss Army knife 2.0. The project initially started in 2022 for just one concert: Mette Rasmussen (Sax, Trondheim) and Savannah Harris (Drums, NYC) were able to assemble a commissioned band for the Saalfelden Jazz Festival and brought in Haitian sound artist Val Jeanty on turntables and electronics as well as Swedish Petter Eldh (who last appeared in 2018 with Swiss singer Lucia Cadotsch on the Palace stage) on bass, synths, and sampler. The band name refers not only to the axe but also to "Ashe," the Yoruba life force that is supposed to flow through everything that exists. A jazz of opposites? We are glad about it, as it cannot be easily tamed and remains open to new things. In 2024, the self-titled debut album of ØKSE was released. It features other well-known names: billy woods and E L U C I D, both from the Backwoodz label, which also released the album, along with Maassai and Cavalier. E L U C I D adds mysterious lines on "Skopje," woods rants through a dark, broken reality on "Amager," while Maassai and Cavalier complement the record with soulful features. Rasmussen's saxophone sometimes takes on the role of the second rap voice, sometimes that of the spiritual ghost in the background. Harris not only sticks to classic hip-hop beats, while Jeanty's turntables scratch between, and Eldh's bass holds the brutally deep grooves together. Between avant-hip-hop and free jazz, where all genres are allowed to revolve around their own axis. In 2025, they received the German Jazz Award for the best international album and a Danish Music Award. But what these awards are worth is perhaps best shown by their live performances: at this year's Rewire Festival, with billy woods by their side, their songs turned into spitting, noise-like sound eruptions according to critics. A band that apparently only sees their recordings as a starting point. Now, only to find out what ØKSE plans to do at the Palace. In cooperation with Amboss & Steigbügel.

Highlights

• Live performance of ØKSE with Mette Rasmussen and Savannah Harris
• Debut album released in 2024
• Fusion of jazz and hip-hop elements

General Information

ØKSE is an innovative music project founded in 2022 that combines various musical styles. The band performs at the Palace in St. Gallen and presents their self-titled debut album, which features renowned artists.

Location

Zwinglistrasse 3, 9000 St. Gallen, Switzerland

Hide Map

Loading map...

How to get there

Get Directions