During live performances, Elvin Brandhi never shies from being abrasive, letting a stream of consciousness take over to the tune of frenetic, computerized beats. That's not to say her studio work shows any sign of holding back: Shelf Life, her 2019 EP for C.A.N.V.A.S., was likewise filled with grinding static and metallic reverberations, intent on scorching your speakers. Shortly after its release, she endeavored a new collaboration at the villa of festival/label Nyege Nyege in Kampala, Uganda with percussionist Omutaba, rappers Hakim and Swordman Kitala, and producers Don Zilla and Oise. Along with sounds captured from local churches and swamps, bass-heavy beats converged with the three lyricists' spontaneous outbursts, crystallizing with Headroof in early 2020. The first release by Villaelvin, as they called the project, was also the first full-length album on the Nyege Nyege label Hakuna Kulala.

Together with her father, Elvin Brandhi is also half of noise-pop agitators Yeah You, who wouldn't be out of place in the hypothetical sequel to Liquid Sky. Aside from releasing albums on Alter, Slip, Opal, Psychik Dancehall, and Good Food, the unconventional duo published a paper titled »Creative Agency, Quotidian Routines & Situated Performance as Critical Praxis« for the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation (Ontario).

Brandhi has appeared at festivals including Borealis (Bergen), Kraak (Brussels), Total Inertia (Leeds), and Sonic Acts Academy (Amsterdam). Further collaborations include Bad@Maths and Kilo Grandma. Although sound art is seemingly her main medium, Brandhi – real name Freya Edmondes – studied painting under Daniel Richter at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna.

• Shelf Life, by Elvin Brandhi

• Shelf Life, by Elvin Brandhi