TUULIKKI BARTOSIK x SANDER MÖLDER

electronic press kit

Tuulikki Bartosik x Sander Mölder create a sound where Nordic and Baltic influences meet modern innovation.

Their music is both minimalistic and rich—emotionally resonant and sophisticated, that invite listeners to a space where tradition evolves and new ideas emerge. Traditional tones are particularly evident when the Estonian zither (a string instrument) is played. This adds a layer of mystery and elusiveness. The duo bridges the gap between acoustic and electronic expressions, delivering a highly captivating performance that concludes on an upbeat note, with a rhythm reminiscent of Kraftwerk's Trans Europa Express.

Their co-written album, Playscapes, has been praised by critics and audiences alike for its groundbreaking compositions, soundscapes, and instrumentation. Shortlisted Bandcamp and in Songlines Music Awards., Playscapes was recognized by Swedish music magazine Lira as the Folktronica album of the year and by Beehype Magazine as one of the best albums of 2023. It also earned a nomination in Sweden’s Manifestgalan’s experimental music category.

Tuulikki Bartosik x Sander Mölder have had successful performances at key industry festivals such as Eurosonic Noorderslag (NL), Tallinn Music Week (EE), and Womex (UK), as well as in unique venues in Estonia and the Netherlands that suit their cinematic, electroacoustic sound. They are currently working on a new album.

Sander Mölder - compositions, production, keyboards, electronics

Tuulikki Bartosik - compositions, production, free-bass accordion, Estonian zither (kannel), voice, electronics

Mihkel Viinalass - light design

Tuulikki Bartosik, hailing from Sweden and Estonia, is a versatile multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer. Her music has been compared to neoclassical icons like Philip Glass and minimalist artists such as Ólafur Arnalds. She is particularly renowned for her innovative approach to the accordion. Bartosik has released several internationally acclaimed, award-nominated albums, been featured on BBC, CBS, and MDR, collaborated with symphony orchestras and renowned conductors. Throughout her career, she has focused on developing her unique voice, blending various styles and genres, while also exploring innovative approaches to the traditional music of Sweden and Estonia.

Sander Mölder is an Estonian composer and music producer with a diverse writing style that blends classical western tradition and electronic music expression. He has composed a number of stage-works including five contemporary ballet’s and is known for his albums blending pop and electronic dance music that have earned him several awards and plays on internationally acclaimed shows hosted by the likes of Gilles Peterson and Mary-Anne Hobbs.

REVIEWS

To start Saturday, the Swedish-Estonian accordionist Tuulikki Bartosik provided a rare instance of folk being present on a non-specialised stage, playing a duo set at the Fotografiska gallery with electronicist Sander Mölder. Your scribe had caught Bartosik before, solo and acoustic, so this evocative soundscape approach marked a significant change, both players in pursuit of environmental sculpting, with added field recording atmospheres. Songlines Magazine
A musical journey through Europe—that’s what Tuulikki Bartosik & Sander Mölder promise. The Estonian duo, performing on accordion and keyboard, carefully craft sketch-like soundscapes that transform travel impressions from cities like London and Stockholm into music. While visual projections could have completed the experience, their compositions played on the dimly lit stage are vivid enough to inspire daydreams. The sound is perfectly tuned, ensuring all looped elements connect seamlessly with an attentive audience. Their music draws from traditional tones, particularly evident when the Estonian zither (a string instrument) is played. This adds a layer of mystery and elusiveness. The duo bridges the gap between traditional and modern styles, delivering a highly captivating performance. The journey concludes on an upbeat note, with a rhythm reminiscent of Kraftwerk's Trans Europa Express. www.makeafuzz.com
If music really works in about 20-year cycles, it’s time for a post-rock comeback. Tuulikki’s accordion and Sander Mölder’s electronics made a perfect pair, showing us bits of the past and future. Beehype
In an intense duo show with Sander Mölder based around her Playscapes album, she seamlessly amalgamates her serial-like compositional style with field recordings, Mölder’s baroque piano phrasing and a sonic wash analogous to early Tangerine Dream. The Arts Desk
Bartosik's beautiful phrasing, accordion, and kantele gracefully cut through the multimedia stream. Movement, interstice, and journey were visible themes of the compositions, intertwining in various directions alongside the music. At times, the sonic landscape evoked memories of Steve Reich's minimalist masterpiece "Music for 18 Musicians," while elsewhere, images were guided by the technoprimitivist clang of Kraftwerk's iconic "Trans-Europe Express." Nevertheless, a full audience was captivated by the unwavering flow of the uncompromising music. Soundi
Played live, this set of sonic postcards brought colour and softness to the well-appointed if somewhat corporate Fotografiska stage; the duo blending all parts with an assurance and easy wit. Not content with picking her way through time via the wonderful dream spaces, Bartosik’s rocker spirit eventually got a space to gambol through one or two uptempo tracks. This was a set of fleeting moments made into timeless music; true “head” stuff. Under The Radar