| Blæst | |
| Landscape: | yes |
| Origin: | Denmark |
| Years Active: | 2019–present |
| Website: | https://www.blaestband.dk/en |
| Current Members: |
|
Blæst are a Danish pop band, consisting of Fernanda Rosa (lead vocals), Lauge Kjærulf (drums), Valentin Buchwald (bass and synthesizers) and Anders Bondo (guitar).
The band describe their music as "naive everyday poetry that people can dance to". The sound is inspired by Tom Misch and Snarky Puppy.[1]
Drummer Lauge Kjærulf and bassist Valentin Buchwald met at their music school in Næstved, Denmark, when they were eight and nine years old. They both played in several different bands, both together and separately.[2] During those years, Kjærulf played in a punk rock band, while Buchwald produced electronic music. They eventually initiated Blæst from their frustration and drive to create Danish-language pop music.[2]
The two then started looking for a vocalist and found Fernanda Rosa on SoundCloud. They were impressed by the music she put up on the site. They met in a cafe in Copenhagen to offer her to join the band. Rosa was skeptical at first but became convinced after playing a few gigs together.[3] Guitarist Anders Bondo also joined the band around the period. Kjærulf knew Bondo from a jazz fusion band they both played in, while Buchwald and Bondo went to the same high school.[2]
The group's first single "Du gør det bedre" was released on 11 October 2019. Their debut extended play Vindstille was released on 29 May 2020 through record label We Are Suburban.[4] Their next single "Kig op fra gulvet" was released almost a year after on 16 April 2021 as their first release with record label Universal Music. The song was performed by contestant Lorenzo & Charlo in the first live show of the fifteen season of Danish X Factor on 25 February 2022.[5]
Blæst released a single titled "Juice" on 4 February 2022 and met commercial and radio success.[6] The single was awarded with P3 Lytterhittet at the P3 Guld 2022 as the most played song on the radio channel DR P3.[7] On 28 June 2022, Blæst performed at the Rising Stage of the Roskilde Festival 2022 to a crowd of 20,000 people.[8]
They released their debut studio album Stiv kuling on 30 September 2022.[9] The album received generally favorable reviews from critics.[10] They were set to embark on a 27-date nationwide concert tour in support of the album from October to December 2022.[6] However, the day before the tour started, the band cancelled the first leg of the tour due to stress.[11] A month later, the band announced on their social media that they had got better but had to cancel the entire tour.[12]
On 17 February 2023, the band released a single titled "All In" featuring singer and rapper Lamin.[13] [14] On 31 March 2023, the group performed a medley of their singles "Juice" and "All In" with contestant Sigalaz at the sixteen season finale of X Factor.[15]
On 28 June, they opened the iconic Orange Stage of the 2023 Roskilde Festival.[16] [17]
| Details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEN [18] | ||||
| Stiv kuling |
| 4 |
Gold[19] |
| Details | ||
| Vindstille |
|
|---|
| Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEN | ||||
| "Du gør det bedre" | 2019 | — | Vindstille | |
| "Dine hænder" | — | |||
| "Androkles" | 2020 | — | ||
| "Gemmeleg" | — | |||
| "Juice" | 2022 | 8 |
| Stiv kuling |
| "Lad mig gå" | — | |||
| "Sover du nu" | 28 | |||
| "All In" (featuring Lamin) | 2023 | 3 | rowspan="3" | |
| "Videre" | 36 [21] | |||
| "Elsker dig så meget" | 2024 | 38 [22] |
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | P3 Guld | P3 Lytterhittet | "Juice" | [23] | |
| Danish Music Awards | Best New Artist | Themselves | [24] | ||
| Best New Live Act | Themselves | ||||
| Radio Hit of the Year | "Juice" |