LICCHT

NI is Martin Flotzinger (dr), Gigi Gratt (git), Tobias Hagleitner (git), Manu Mitterhuber (git). From the high-energy astronaut rock of their early days (NI, 2009) to the cultivated explosion of colors on their European tour (FOXTROTT, 2012) and the minimalist scream anthems on DEDODA (2017), the defining characteristic of this band is their sly departure from musical expectations. The basic ingredients remain unchanged: the unconventional lineup of drums and three guitars, rhythmically and harmonically sophisticated compositions, and the half-virtuosic, half-tongue-in-cheek musical performance. With their fourth album SWARM (2025), the doors open up to a brilliantly expanded electronic soundscape, which the musicians fill in the full breadth and depth of the tonal spectrum. The melodic guitar structures (Gigi Gratt, Tobias Hagleitner, Manu Mitterhuber) are alternately penetrated, supported or held together by sculptures of ticking clocks, buzzing insects, clattering machines, or theater thunder by Martin Flotzinger on drums. The joy of musical experimentation is combined on this album with the courage to be danceable.