I first featured this Faroese collective of varying size (explanation follows) in a SpaceScan in early April 2010 and have been keeping my eyes on them ever since. Recently Steso’s debut EP ‘Hákunargenta’ – which I’d mistakenly expected to be a full length album (that explanation also follows) – reached me and now you (assuming this is the only place you seek information on Faroese music, of course).

Who are they?
Depending on whether you consult Facebook or MySpace there are either six or 12 musicians known from Faroese acts such as Marius, Gestir, Makrel, Deja Vu, ORKA, MC Hár, Budam and Sic involved in Steso. It is, however, founded and fronted by songwriter, guitarist and singer Hergeir Staksberg.

On Facebook he’s backed by Líggjas Olsen (keys, vocals), Ása Vrá (vocals), Magnus Hansen (drums), Jens L. Thomsen (bass, harpabol, mini moog) and Ólavur Jákupsson (vocals, kaoss pad, mini moog).

On MySpace the lineup is, apart from Staksberg, Líggjas Olsen (keys, vocals), Ása Wraae (vocals), Jens L. Thomsen (Bass, mini moog), Rani Christiansen (drums), Magnus Hansen (drums), Hans Marius Ziska (guitar, vocals), Flóvin Viderø (guitar, vocals), Mia Káradóttir (flute), Kirstin Helgadóttir (tin flute), Elezz (programming) and Hans Torgarð (monologue).

How’s the EP?
When I first featured Steso in a SpaceScan almost exactly a year ago – with the beautiful ‘Akarin’ – I was under the impression that a full length debut album was in the works. When I included the awesome ‘How Much Is The Ape’ in a From the Inbox feature eight months later, in November 2010, it turned out to be this EP instead, the atmospheric title track defined by Ása Vrá’s (possibly aka Ása Wraae) captivating elfin vocal in the player.

So, I’ve pretty much already covered the whole thing and just left to add is that that the fourth and final track on the EP, ‘Ein Zwei Die’, offers a somewhat surprising closure with its delicate aggression and a sound and feel not entirely unlike Danish alternative rocker The Malpractice and his debut ‘Tectonics’. Oh, and of course that ‘Hákunargenta’ as a whole really is top notch (that’s why all four tracks come recommended below) and have my hopes for a full length set to high. Should one ever materialize.

Check them out if you like:
The ethereal post-rock you’ve come to associate with especially Iceland and not least Sigur Rós. And should you know and like the also Faroese outfit Gestir, Steso should be right up your alley.

More Steso:
On MySpace
On Facebook

Genre: Alternative/Post-rock
Who: Steso
Album: Hákunargenta
Label: Tutl Records
Year: 2010
Country: Faroe Islands
Language: Faroese/English
DOWNLOAD VIA

Recommended tracks:
Akarin – Hákunargenta – How Much Is The Ape – Ein Zwei Die