There is a distinct thread that runs through Kasper Bjørke’s vast body of work.
Whether it’s an instrumental club track, a radio friendly affair, one of his forays into the more ambient side of things - or everything that falls in between - the DNA is unmistakably Bjørke’s. Finding that perfect balance of emotion and groove has always been his trademark. And though the musical scenery might change over time, Kasper Bjørke’s sound and vision is clearly evident throughout.
As a DJ, Kasper has performed at some of the most important and legendary clubs and festivals. Panorama Bar (Berghain) in Berlin, Rex Club in Paris, Robert Johnson in Frankfurt, D-Edge in Sao Paolo, Fabric in London, Output in New York, Electric Pickle in Miami - and festivals such as Sonar Barcelona, Roskilde Festival, Montreaux Jazz Festival, Iceland Airwaves and Calvi on the Rocks.
Kasper´s debut album, 2007’s ‘In Gumbo’ was followed by ‘Standing on Top of Utopia’ in 2010, and included his cover version of The Rolling Stones hidden gem “Heaven”, which was remixed to great effect by Nicolas Jaar. Other albums followed, ‘Fool’ in 2012, and the darker ‘After Forever” in 2014, as well various ep’s and singles. 2018 saw the release of ‘The Fifty Eleven Project’ on Kompakt Records. A two-hour ambient/neo classical work, the album was highlighted as the fifth Best Contemporary Album of 2018 in The Guardian and featured on Best of 2018 lists from i-D Magazine and XLR8R - while Music Week named it "A shimmering, nocturnal masterpiece" and Uncut wrote "sketch lines between the modern chamber music of Ólafur Arnalds and the collapsed-star ambience of early Tangerine Dream". 11 short films, which were created to accompany the 11 compositions, directed by LA based visual artist Justin Tyler Close can be watched at the5011project.com. The 11 films have also been shown at exhibitions in Copenhagen and Milan - and online at the International Art Center, Copenhagen Contemporary.
In 2019, Kasper released the double EP Nothing Gold Can Stay, another highly collaborative effort, which stepped away from his newly discovered ambient path to once again dive into a rhythmic approach to electronic craftsmanship – including a cover version of the Alessi Brothers cult classic “Seabird” which was remixed by Tensnake. A double remix EP with reworks by Perel, Each Other (Justin Strauss and Max Pask), Bawrut and many more followed in the spring of 2020. In 2021 he contributed with the 23 minute long ambient piece “The Beast. The Tree. The Man.” on the acclaimed australian online listening gallery Longform Editions.
On the album Sprinkles (2021), recorded and produced while spending extensive periods of time in the family’s cabin by a secluded beach, Bjørke reflects on the energy and euphoria from his countless DJ gigs over the past decades. Sprinkles is rooted in a multicolored sound and filled with light and warmth.
Kasper returned to the Quartet project with the album Mother (Kompakt, 2022). Six compositions explore what the evolution of our planet sounds like, from its formation, to its likely conclusion and spans a timeframe from 4.5 billion years ago up to humankind’s impending demise. It hints at earth’s resilience, and the promise of another chapter.
In 2023 Kasper established his new imprint Sensitive Records and released two collaboration EPs: The first one, Junctions, is a collaboration with Cooper Saver and was released on LARJ (Live At Robert Johnson). The second one, Night Soul, with El Agua Es Profounda was released on legendary Japanese label Mule Musiq including remixes by Bella Boo and Longhair.
2024 has so far seen the release of a string of new singles and Kasper´s latest solo album Puzzles. The album is rooted in an expressive live feeling far from programmed patterns and includes collaborations with a wide range of musicians and vocalists. From California based indie-disco troubadour Woolfy (DFA, Rong, Permanent Vacation etc.) to the Icelandic trio Sísý Ey (who also featured on Kasper’s 2014 single Apart), as well as other longtime collaborators and artist friends: Toby Ernest, Jacob Bellens, WhoMadeWho’s Tomas Høffding on bass, Posh Isolation affiliate Frederik Valentin on guitar and the young, rising jazz star Oilly Wallace on saxophone and flute. Essentially, the majority of Puzzles is played and recorded live, including the drums by Rasmus Littauer (School of X, MØ).
“The past decade has seen Bjørke steadily rising amongst the ranks of artful, eclectic electronic producers…” XLR8R
"Kasper Bjørke definitely makes art. Each production feels assured with the Scandinavian impacting a genuine sense of the cerebral into his music" Clash Music