Liima’s design-led London residency hits all the high notes

Danish furniture brand Republic of Fritz Hansen transformed the basement space of Ian Schrager’s London Edition hotel into a musical design den last week, where new band Liima took up a weeklong residency, culminating in a rambunctious live showcase.

Comprising the core members of acclaimed Danish act Efterklang, and Finnish percussionist Tatu Rönkkö, Liima (the Finnish word for ‘glue’) recently put the finishing touches on its debut album. Entitled ii, it features songs recorded at similar residencies in Finland, Berlin, Istanbul and Madeira, with each location influencing the band’s sound, occasionally quite literally through field recording and sampling.

The band opened up its temporary studio and creative process to a select few guests, who were able to watch them craft, experiment and create its London tracks from scratch while lounging in Arne Jacobssen’s seminal ‘Egg’ and ‘Swan’ chairs.

On the final evening of the residency, the band took to the stage (shedding the bathrobes they had been wearing all week) to showcase the fruits of their labour and to preview songs from the forthcoming album. Danish audio stalwart Bang & Olufsen provided its technical prowess, and Patrón tequila flowed freely in the form of tropical slushies and punch.