Louis Jucker conquers the Crow’s Castle

Louis Jucker used to be associated with the Berlin-based experimental metal outfit Castle Collective. More recently, he has been touring with the severely loud hardcore punks Coilguns. His latest solo album, however, doesn’t sound anything like that. On the contrary, “Kråkeslottet [The Crow’s Castle]” celebrates the joys of quiet reflection and contemplation.

Jucker, from the small French Swiss town La Chaux-de-Fonds, describes himself as a “graduated architect and full-time punk musician” who “writes songs for albums and theatres – produces occult recordings of himself and other indie acts – performs in clubs, houses, squats, museums and festivals – builds rough instruments, tools and spaces for lo-fi music – organise events, sessions and parties to promote cultural weirdness and heart music.” To record “Kråkeslottet”, he travelled to an artists’ retreat set up in an old fisherman’s hut situated on a small Norwegian island near the Arctic Circle. Using only the instruments belonging to the retreat – these included piano, harmonium, zither, guitar and organ – turned the experience of living alone for two weeks in a landscape of stark beauty into an album of stark beauty.

“Kråkeslottet” is released and distributed physically in Europe and North America via Hummus Records, and digitally via The Orchard (worldwide), Season of Mist (France) and Plastic Head (UK plus export).

Louis Jucker
Hummus Records
The Orchard
Season of Mist
Plastic Head