From Dream to Drive: Liv Andrea Hauge Trio Releases New Single “Karja”

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Where the first single, Natt natt natt, invited listeners into a dreamlike space, Karja opens the door to an entirely different landscape – beat-driven, rhythmically complex, and full of energy.

Karja was born out of creative chaos. The piece was written by pianist and composer Liv Andrea Hauge immediately after a concert experience with Kirke Karja at Victoria Nasjonal Jazzscene:

“I had no idea what I was walking into – I had a season pass and just showed up – but I was completely blown away. I’ve listened to a lot of piano trios in my life, but this was something else. So inspiring – especially the compositions; they weren’t written like typical jazz tunes with head and solos, but rather as multi-part works – yet still free, with room for improvisation, long stretches and solos. I went home and wrote Karja the same evening.”

The track is inspired by both Karja’s music and bands like Punkt Vrt. Plastik, and reveals a new side of the trio’s sound – more rhythmically adventurous and sonically bold. The music moves through a landscape of driving grooves, asymmetrical rhythms, and unexpected turns – including a C-section that contrasts with the rest of the tune, also inspired by Kirke Karja’s non-traditional, non-ABA form structures.

“The song gives a sense of positive chaos – something I often experience in creative processes. There’s back and forth, things feel messy, and then suddenly there’s a deadline, and it becomes what it becomes. I never quite know where it will land – and that’s part of what I love about making music. In Karja, the A-section is the chaos, the B-section finds some footing, and the C-section brings calm. Then it’s straight back to chaos...”

Drummer August Glännestrand truly shines here – particularly in the B-section, where his groove gives the track an intense propulsion. Georgia Wartel Collins contributes her characteristic bass playing, which together with Hauge forms a musical framework that leaves space for improvisation and collective dynamics.

It took many hours of rehearsal to get Karja into shape, but it has since become a live favorite:

“It was a fun challenge for us – a type of groove and rhythmic flow we hadn’t worked with much before. Now it’s one of the tracks we’re most excited to play live.”

About the Album: Døgnville
Out September 5th, Døgnville is the trio’s third album and explores the feeling of being døgnvill – a Norwegian word describing the state of being out of sync with time and reality, like jet lag or sleeplessness. Half of the tracks were written while Hauge was sick with a high fever, drifting in and out of a dreamlike haze. The rest were developed during tours and rehearsals, blending spontaneous ideas with more refined material.

The result is an album that balances instinct and structure – with tracks like Karja that challenge both performers and listeners.

The trio consists of:

• Liv Andrea Hauge – piano
• Georgia Wartel Collins – bass (to be replaced by Kertu Aer in fall 2025)
• August Glännestrand – drums

“Karja” is available on all streaming platforms from today, August 1st.
The full album Døgnville will be released on LP, CD and digitally on September 5th.