Guitarist and sound artist Bert Cools – known from Merope, Hoera and Book of Air – repeatedly conjures up dreamlike worlds between folk, jazz and electronic music. His subtle but layered playing has made him a much sought-after musician for artists such as Sam Amidon, Trixie Whitley and Efterklang.

Kjartan Sveisson was co-founder of Sigur Rós, one of the most influential post-rock bands and a figurehead of Icelandic music exports. He also worked closely with Ragnar Kjartansson, composed soundtracks and wrote an opera.

Lithuanian Indrė Jurgelevičiūtė interwove traditional folk songs, the kanklės and her ethereal voice into tranquil, otherworldly soundscapes. Together with Bert Cools, she forms Merope.

Gyda Valtýsdóttir was once part of múm, another Icelandic band that caused a sensation in the late 1990s. Since then, the cellist has collaborated with Kronos Quartet, Damien Rice, Jónsi, Ben Frost and Aaron and Bryce Dessner (The National).

In the summer of 2018, their paths crossed for the first time at Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) and Bryce Dessner (The National)'s PEOPLE festival in Berlin. Two years later, they reunited for a series of intimate concerts with Shahzad Ismaily.

What followed was a rare musical encounter, a soundscape where Lithuanian folk music, Icelandic mysticism and minimalist piano music merged. The premiere took place during Nordic night(s), where this unique synergy came to life for the first time.