Over the past decade, Floating Sofa Quartet (FSQ) has captivated audiences with their pan-Nordic folk music, gaining recognition for their distinctive sound and contagious stage presence. Ever since the release of their debut album The Moon We Watch is the Same in 2016, FSQ has been exploring different creative paths for each of their releases; e.g. the award-winning Neighbourhood (2019), devoted entirely to traditional tunes; the collaborative Sofa Songs (2023), featuring some of the finest Nordic singers and songwriters; and most recently Kystnært (2024), another deep dive into the traditional repertoire of the Nordic countries alongside Norwegian fiddler Guro Kvifte Nesheim.

Now, with their 10-year anniversary release Tides, the quartet turns the spotlight back on their own compositions.

“It feels like coming home to our own voice and creative core.” says Leija Lautamaja, the Finnish member of FSQ.

Malte Zeberg, Swedish bass player of the band, adds: “Ten years as a band is a long time, and a lot of things have happened since we started – both to us and in the world around us. The music on this album has become kind of a reflection – almost a chronicle – of our individual and shared lives over the past decade. In fact, many of these compositions are directly tied to major life events such as marriage, parenthood, moving homes… and even obtaining a driver’s license!”

On Tides FSQ presents twelve new tracks – mostly original compositions alongside a handful of traditional dance tunes – all woven together by the band’s trademark sound of fiddle, diatonic accordion, reed organ, double bass, wooden flute and occasionally Swedish bagpipes. Two tracks also feature some special guests: the groundbreaking Danish-Swedish trio Dreamers’ Circus, and another collaboration with Guro Kvifte Nesheim from Norway on hardanger fiddle.

With this anniversary release FSQ reaffirm their place as one of the most vibrant young ensembles on today’s Nordic folk scene – weaving new melodies into the fabric of tradition.
Like the tide, the music rises and falls between the intimate, the powerful, the old, and the new.