About

The eclectic band Toys in the Well was first formed in 2009 in Odessa, Ukraine by Joel and Sofia Gabrielsson from Sweden, and Jachin Pousson from the USA. They came together to write and record a few songs using a humble assortment of musical instruments in the living room of an old communist housing block. Concerned with the condition of their future selves, they released an album entitled Letters to Ourselves When We Grow Up, that included a music video involving a snail costume and scenes of early Spring on the shores of the Black Sea.

 

Since then the band members have relocated several times and tried on a variety of hats in life. Between them they have pursued diverse musical and artistic goals; studied classical music, became hippy preachers, taught modern dance, and experienced the slings and arrows of life crises among other events of no small magnitude.

 

Five years wiser, the members of Toys in the Well met in another Eastern European city – Riga, Latvia to record again.

The EP Now, Ok features four new tracks and a musically mature sound all traditionally recorded in the living room of a pre-war apartment block. Lyrically, Now, Ok, reflects upon paths taken since their last album, and some of life's big questions – the impermanence of all things, making plans in the face of uncertainty, and the unexpected turns and joys of life.

 

Now, Ok, can be described as primarily an electro-acoustic work with strands of post-rock, electronica and classical music sensibilities. It notes its influences as Efterklang, Mum and Sigur Ros.

 

Toys in the Well are currently based in Uppsala, Sweden and Riga, Latvia and are working on additional material for a full length album. They are available for local and international booking.

 

Band Members: Joel Gabrielsson, Sofia Gabrielsson, Jachin Pousson