Anna Von Hausswolff makes pipe dreams into reality. Coaxing the strange and the wondrous from traditional instruments of spiritual psalmnolence, the pioneering musician has been bringing new forms of sonic worship to ears and cathedrals across Europe for over a decade now. Her practice weds delicious contrasts, the decadent and the lavish lapping against despair and emptiness, a polyrhythmic twist to the perceiver that bleeds across boundaries of emotion and depths. Whether drenched in the doometic dirges of metal, drone, and prog or existing solely within their own pipey void, von Hausswolff’s compositions breathe a holy malevolence, wholly unique and ever-shifting.
Founder of experimental label Pomperipossa Records, her dedication to the dark underbelly of aurals has brought forth a slew of vibrantly avant-garde releases, each bearing their own remarkable beauty. She has composed for documentaries and film, hosted solo exhibitions of imaginary pipe organs, and consistently sold out her pipe organ tours wherever she goes. With brand new material set to be released in 2024, there’s never been a better time to attune your wavelength to her innovative practice.
Live at Montreux Jazz Festival, by Anna von Hausswolff
Live at Montreux Jazz Festival, by Anna von Hausswolff