Lind
De Leit
Lind is a genre-defying attempt to play music from home. Some of it is passed down through tradition, some is self-composed, and it ranges from heart-wrenching melancholy to village anarchy. The band calls the result "symphonic trad 'n' roll." To achieve this, jazz-inclined brass player Karl Helbig, black-metal-inspired cellist Benni "Cellini" Gerlach, and traditionalist Waldzither player Tim "Doc Fritz" Liebert had to step far outside their musical comfort zones. The result is perhaps one of the most exotic creations in the newly blossoming German folk landscape, though the term "folk" is used here in a very broad sense. With cello, saxophone/tuba, Waldzither/harmonica, and charismatic vocals, they build a completely unique and fascinating soundscape on the foundation of traditional music. This soundscape is characterized by technical sophistication, wild playfulness, and a touch of melancholy. Lind presents a mix of self-composed pieces (for which they received the prestigious "Hoyschrecke" singer-songwriter award in 2023), classical adaptations, and respectful arrangements of traditional pieces from Thuringia and Saxony. These often include "Rundas" from the Vogtland region, which spread exuberant joy, or 240-year-old dance pieces (from the Seibis Collection). The combination of this material with the unusual blend of instruments and the complex structure of the compositions results in a very modern sound that never feels academic and possesses a timeless quality. Despite all their virtuosity, the music remains highly entertaining and captivating.