The Knife’s Olof Dreijer teams up with Colombian-Swedish percussionist and vocalist Diva Cruz for an electrifying new EP on Dekmantel Records, titled ‘Brujas.’ This release follows the debut of their captivating hybrid live show at Sónar Istanbul and sets the stage for upcoming performances at Sónar Barcelona, Dekmantel, and Øya Festival.
In ‘Brujas,’ Dreijer and Cruz unite to challenge patriarchy, racism, colonialism, capitalism, and immigrant struggles. The result is a powerful EP that introduces Diva Cruz’s voice to the world, alongside her dynamic percussion and DJ skills. The title track, ‘Brujas,’ meaning “Witches,” is an invocation of ancient, empowering energy, inviting listeners to tap into their inner strength.
Diva Cruz’s mission with her lyrics is to uplift those who feel marginalized. She passionately states, “I dream of empowering everyone who feels outside the box with my lyrics. It is so sad to see children singing and dancing to music made by male artists whose lyrics degrade women, and on top of that, they win prestigious awards while doing so. I dream of a better world, especially for Latin America, which needs to change the macho perspective and work together for a better world for everyone.”
Known for her ferocious live percussion and eclectic DJ sets, Cruz has been a lead percussionist for Fever Ray and Robyn on their global tours. Her collaboration with Dreijer on ‘Brujas’ represents a significant evolution in her artistic journey.
Dreijer, reflecting on the collaboration, shares, “I’m very excited about sharing this music with the world, especially since it’s been a few years in the making. I’m very grateful to work with Diva. She has shown me a new world of music, and I feel like I keep evolving and learning new things all the time, especially with our new live show when playing percussion together.”
‘Brujas’ is a continuation of Dreijer’s recent solo endeavors, which include the EPs ‘Coral’ and ‘Rosa Rugosa’ on UK labels AD93 and Hessle Audio, and a remix of Björk and Rosalía. His solo work has garnered acclaim from The New York Times, Pitchfork, and The Guardian. Recent performances have seen him grace stages at C2C London, Unsound Krakow, Dekmantel, and Panorama Bar.
With over twenty years in the electronic music scene, Dreijer remains a leading figure, known for his vibrant performances and innovative sounds. His contributions extend beyond his own music, as he produces and remixes for other artists, sharing his expertise generously. Notably, he co-produced several tracks on Fever Ray’s acclaimed 2023 album ‘Radical Romantics’ and produced the debut album ‘Fleuves De L’âme’ for Tunisian multi-instrumentalist Houeida Hedfi. His remix portfolio includes work for Fever Ray, Nine Inch Nails, Röyksopp & Robyn, and Emmanuel Jal.