Spectaculare enriches its spring program with another evening for true music connoisseurs. On March 11, Prague’s Palác Akropolis will transform into a laboratory of sound and emotion. At the showcase of the British label Tonal Union – born from a desire to break down the boundaries between genres – Blue Lake and Akusmi will perform: two musicians whose work evokes colorful maps of moods, the Danish landscapes of silence, and the pulse of London. Their music is not about labels, but about space – one in which the listener can freely move between ambient, jazz, and unexpected sonic shapes.

Jason Dungan, known under the moniker Blue Lake, was born in Texas but settled in Copenhagen as an adult. Before that, he lived in various places around the world – an experience that deeply resonates in his music. His work blends ambient, Americana, elements of German kosmische rock, and Nordic traditions from his family roots. His breakthrough album Sun Arcs, written in a cabin deep in the Swedish woods, earned him Pitchfork’s Best New Music distinction.

His latest record, The Animal, was created in a full band setup – featuring bass, cello, clarinet, and viola. It marks the most ambitious and colorful project by Blue Lake to date, infused with the magic of human connection to nature. “I’m fascinated by seeing humans as part of nature, not separate from it,” says Dungan. “The Animal captures human life as if it were the life of moss or a cow.” Released this October, the album fits perfectly into Copenhagen’s vibrant contemporary scene, represented by artists like Astrid Sonne, ML Buch, and Clarissa Connelly.

Behind the pseudonym Akusmi stands London-based musician Pascal Bidau, whose project explores the worlds of minimalism, cosmic jazz, gamelan, and Fourth World aesthetics. He debuted on Tonal Union in 2022 with the album Fleeting Future, followed a year later by the EP Lines, which received widespread acclaim.

Akusmi describes his work as “a barrier of optimism in the face of the unknown and infinite possibilities.” On Lines, layers of alto saxophone, clarinet, piano, and percussion intertwine — all recorded by Bidau himself in his London studio.

The result is a captivating and emotional piece of music, and at the same time a perfect showcase of Tonal Union’s cross-genre vision — whose label night will take place on March 11 at Palác Akropolis as part of the Spectaculare Festival.