Combining classical music with a twist of pop is not the first musical combination that triggers sparks in one’s eyes. Indeed, many today would easily relegate the violin to the monochromatic world of string instruments and haute couture − a world some would argue is a world apart from the rest of society. However, more and more bands have started to fuse music disciplines and blur the fuzzy lines that demarcate one genre from another, with many opting to incorporate traditional string and classical instrumentation into their compositions.  

One example of radical fusion is the music of violin rock prospects Mother Lewinsky, whose astute experimentation with violin-propelled tunes, wittily punctuated with deft strokes of indie rock, has thrust the dextrous trio of Søren Stensby, Marc Facchini-Madsen and Michael Vitus into a daring ascent to local stardom. All of the band’s members play in other interesting music projects − the most notable being the loud and proud Balkan orchestra Tako Lako, which employs the talent of Stensby when he’s not off on experimental travails with Mother Lewinsky. For all three, however, Mother Lewinsky is a playful outlet where they can mix and match musical styles with reckless abandonment.

With little over a year of mileage since their formation, Mother Lewinsky have only recently erupted into life and look set to take the spring and summer by storm with a series of gigs and festival appearances, including a Roskilde debut that could well work in their favour owing to the lack of recognised headlining acts this year. For a band with only five songs on their 2013 eponymous debut album, some would raise questions as to quite how far this band are headed. A quick listen to any of these tracks, however, will answer such queries with a casual nonchalance, as you are thrust into a dynamic sound universe of sentimental orchestral movements devoutly paired with stout rock instrumentation and backed by potent vocals. Nowhere is this more evident than on the opening track of the album, ‘Running out the door’, a contemplative journey that leaves one’s thoughts in a maze of zig-zagging thoughts. 

Having performed at this year’s Spot Festival in Aarhus, Mother Lewinsky are back in town and will be making their presence known with a gig at Tivoli this Friday as part of the Friday Rock Festival, which Tivoli are hosting for the second successive year to profile up-and-coming artists from Scandinavia. The festival includes a line-up consisting of the likes of Jetsi Kain, Veto, and Bottled In England. Should you wish to check them out, Mother Lewinsky will be playing at Glassalen at 18:15. 

In total, there are six stages hosting 33 concerts at Tivoli’s Friday Rock Festival, less than a kilometre away from the Vesterbro Festival, a two-day festival that also profiles up-and-coming artists, but just from Denmark.  

Mother Lewinsky

Glassalen, Tivoli; Fri 18:15; Tickets: 280kr, includes entry to 2013 Friday Rock Festival