WHATEVER HAPPENS DON’T BE YOURSELF JOINS IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS

This is the party you don’t want to miss, no matter what your musical preferences are. The mix of catchy and almost pop-like melodies with explosive, hard-hitting impro noise is captivating. It’s thrilling battle of two opposites you can’t take your ears off!

Formed in 2015 by Nils Are Drønen, the 9-piece orchestra Whatever Happens Don’t Be Yourself  has from the start been an improvisational hotbed for both the young and upcoming musicians and more seasoned players in the Bergen jazz scene. They are now set to release their 5^th album, ‘Tales of No Consequence’.

For this project, Drønen has brought together a band of nine very different musicians: percussionist Snorre Bjerck with a background from world music (Mari Boine, Sainko Namchylac and Jon Balke), four of the hottest young musicians from the Norwegian jazz/impro scene – Isach Skeidsvoll, Aksel Røed, Rasmus Lagerberg and Torkil Hjelle (General Post Office, Paal Nilsen-Love), guitarist Mads Berven (Kniv og Taffel), Barcelona-based trumpeter Audun Waage (Jo Jo Mayer), and the Norwegian Grammy nominated vocalist Nelly Moar.

Nils Are Drønen has this to say about signing to Is it Jazz? Records:
We are proud to announce that we are joining forces with our favourite Norwegian jazz label, Is It Jazz? Records. We are really happy to showcase Whatever Happens Don’t Be Yourself’s fifth album this winter. Thanks to Martin and everybody at Is It Jazz? Records for making it happen, we can’t wait to share our new album with the universe!!!

After the release of their debut album in 2016, the band continued to write and play throughout the pandemic, performing live in addition to working continuously in the studio. This live performance by WHDBY is a powerful statement of free music combined with written material. The live sound of WHDBY is inspired by the free spirit of artists such as Art Ensemble of Chicago, Charles Mingus, Alice Coltrane, Steve Reich, Wayne Shorter, Fats Waller and Derek Bailey. WHDBY has played at the AMR Jazz Festival in Geneva and at the Nattjazz Festival in Bergen to name but a few.

For more information about Whatever Happens Don’t Be Yourself:
facebook.com/WhateverHappensDontBeYourself