The Ugandan-American r’n’b wunderkind Dawuna fuses the funky with the abstract. In a richly detailed and reference-laden sound, the electronic multi-artist pays homage to his musical heritage as part of the Black American diaspora. Albert von Bülow opens the evening with his all-at-once groovy yet experimental sound.

Albert von Bülow

In May we will witness a premiere, when Albert von Bülow presents several of his pieces live for the very first time. With a fondness for powerful melodies and atmospheric productions, the Copenhagen-based songwriter and instrumentalist navigates a shifting and expansive musical universe. Through floating soundscapes and simmering textures, he explores a fascination with the subconscious, allowing the unresolved and the unknown to breathe. We’re looking so much forward to experiencing it – in a format specially tailored to this evening.

Dawuna

Glass Lit Dream was hailed as a masterpiece. With his debut, the Ugandan-American multi-artist Ian Dawuna Mugerwa crafted a near-perfect blend of softness and avant-garde experimentation. Released online on a whim during the pandemic, rumors about Dawuna’s album began to swirl—whispers of an unexpected r’n’b gem, of an astonishingly experimental electronic record that had seemingly emerged out of nowhere. And yet, it hadn’t—because Dawuna’s music is a continuation of his musical lineage. As he himself has stated: “For me, it’s always been important to follow this canon of Black American diasporic music.” A lineage that includes gospel music.

Dawuna recently released ‘Naya’, a concept album about Black liberation, where the sound is grainy and lo-fi, shifting between the funky and the abstract—from r’n’b to electronic alchemy. Holding it all together is Dawuna’s intricate vocal production, inspired one of his great idols, American soul musician D’Angelo. Dawuna sings, hums, and whispers directly into the listener’s ear, as if from another world—or perhaps even the future. We look forward to an extraordinary experience when the visionary Dawuna takes the stage at ALICE this May.