Øyunn (Siv Øyunn Kjenstad) as a musician

drummer
artist/ actress/composer /singer

Øyunn a.k.a. Siv Øyunn Kjenstad is a drummer, artist, actress and composer, who makes free, honest, expressive alternative pop where she sings, raps, plays drums and synths. As a drummer, she plays easily across many genres such as jazz, alternative pop/rock, contemporary and improvised music and electronica. In the different musical expressions, she brings her personal, warm sound, creative and spontaneous approach. She is recognized by many for her characteristic, steady groove and the ability to listen and play with her co-musicians in an expressive, dynamic and organic way.

The Copenhagen-based drummer also travels Europe and worldwide with various collaborations. She has been touring with bands such as Efterklang and Frode Haltli’s Avant Folk. When Norwegian label Jazzland, had its 20th anniversary in 2016, she was the drummer in the new Bugge Wesseltoft’s New Conception of Jazz and toured extensively for a couple of years.

She started her professional career as a nineteen-year-old in the percussion ensemble Batagraf, under Norwegian jazz pianist and composer Jon Balke. Since then she has collaborated with numerous acclaimed musicians in Scandinavia and internationally. The same year, she also featured as an actress and musician in the play “The Blue Suitcase” (Den Blå Kofferten) by Lars Saabye Christensen at the Arctic Arts Festival. She played opposite Terje Strømdal and Kristin Kajander.

She writes and performs her music under the moniker Øyunn. She also features as performer/actor and or composer in theatre, dance and film. In the fall of 2019, she made a duo performance with author and actress Gine Cornelia Pedersen (Unge Lovende), where she was an actor and musician. She has been engaged as a composer and performer at the National Theatre in Oslo, made a commission work for the festival Oslo World, and in 2017 and 18 she received a work grant from Arts Council Norway. Since 2019 she has been based in Copenhagen, where she has played with artists such as Anna Mose, Our Broken Garden, Dawda Jobarteh. in 2021 she wrote the score for “Tour de Chamber” by Tine Høeg at The Royal Theatre, as well as performing in the piece.

Current musical projects include: Øyunn, Efterklang, Bugge Wesseltoft’s New Conception of Jazz and Frode Haltli’s Avant Folk and Christian Balvig 6-tet.

Occasional or past projects include the trio Chili Vanilla, Frøkedal, Ósk, TAAO, Time is A Blind Guide, Einar Stray and ANANA, BRAK RUG (Maja S. K. Ratkje, Øyvind Brandtsegg), BAYA, Band of Gold and Trondheim Jazz Orchestra.

She does and has done different collabs, ad hoc or over a period, with musicians and projects such as Sam Gendel, Ikue Mori, Maja S. K. Ratkje, Lina Lapelyté, M. Rexen, Arild Andersen, Jon Balke/Batagraf, Victoria Meirik/Nationaltheatret, Kristin Helgebostad/KhiO, Charles Gayle, Poing, Lars Lillo-Stenberg, Olefonken, Petter & Siv, Oslo Strings, Thomas T. Dahl, Tini, No 4, Den Blå Kofferten/Festspillene i Nord-Norge, Terje Strømdahl, Morten Myklebust, Jo Berger Myhre, Eyolf Dale, Pieces of Juno, Brunborg/Kjenstad/Poulsen, Tord Gustavsen kvartett, Truls, Thomas Kongshavn, Elin Rosseland Kvintett, Vigleik Storaas, Oktavia, Sigrid Moldestad, Helge Norbakken, Ole Henrik Giørtz, Lars Saabye Christensen, Ståle Storløkken, Sidsel Endresen, Nils Petter Molvær.

Other countries she has played in includes Norway, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Italy, China, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium, Japan, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Spain, France, The Gambia, South-Korea, UK, Hungary, Czech Republic, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Turkey, Finland/Åland.