Photo Feature: A day with Nelson Can in Leeds

Katy spent time with the Danish trio for our intimate chronicle of their headline date at Headrow House

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It’s taken a few years, but Copenhagen’s indie rock troupe Nelson Can are finally starting to make a punchy impact in the wider reaches of the UK and beyond.

First popping up in 2012 with their adorably daft debut single Apple Pie, the trio of Selina, Signe and Maria are now set to play a sell-out London show, and have just dropped their excellent new EP on Britain’s Alcopop! Records.

Drawing just as plentifully from Siouxsie and the Banshees and Sonic Youth as the high energy genres of the 70s and 80s, their music foregoes all guitars, combining pulsating bass riffs and thumping drums with Selina Gin’s beguiling vocals.

Dancefloor filler Miracle, released on their return from hiatus in February, perhaps best sums up their good fun style, while the sultry Downtown and new single Stonewall Frank demonstrate that the band aren’t just about the indie disco.

Nelson Can are currently playing their first run of UK dates for several years, recently as support for Jaws and now as the headline attraction.

FEISTY’s Katy spent Monday with the band for our photo feature, capturing the ladies up close as they prepared for and played a show at Leeds’ Headrow House.

Scroll on for an exclusive view of the band as they are rarely seen. Nelson Can’s EP3 is out now, while their UK visit concludes on Friday at Brighton’s Green Door Store.

Nelson Can at Headrow House in Leeds
Nelson Can are, from left to right, bass guitarist Signe SigneSigne, singer Selina Gin and drummer Maria Juntunen. Photo: Katy

Selina Gin and Signe SigneSigne during soundcheck
Nelson Can begin their soundcheck on a cold Monday afternoon in Leeds. Photo: Katy

Maria Juntunen drumming during soundcheck
Maria Juntunen drumming during the band’s soundcheck. Photo: Katy

Nelson Can soundchecking at Headrow House
Nelson Can soundchecking at Headrow House. Photo: Katy

Selina Gin during soundcheck
An introspective moment during the band’s soundcheck. Photo: Katy

Signe SigneSigne soundchecking at Headrow House
Signe SigneSigne’s bass guitars are the only stringed instruments in the Nelson Can lineup. Photo: Katy

Signe setting up her pedals during soundcheck
Signe SigneSigne troubleshooting an issue with her pedals during soundcheck. Photo: Katy

Signe setting up her pedals during soundcheck
Signe SigneSigne with her Fender Mustang Bass guitar. Photo: Katy

Maria Juntunen
Maria Juntunen chatting to the band’s technician. Photo: Katy

Selina Gin during soundcheck
Selina Gin soundchecking her microphone in Leeds. Photo: Katy

Selina Gin
Selina Gin running through one of the band’s tracks, Move Forward, in Leeds. Photo: Katy

Maria Juntunen and Selina Gin
Maria Juntunen setting up her electronics. Photo: Katy

Nelson Can soundchecking
Nelson Can playing a full run through of one of their songs during soundcheck. Photo: Katy

Maria Juntunen drumming during soundcheck
Maria Juntunen on drums during soundcheck. Photo: Katy

Signe SigneSigne illuminated by fairy lights as she soundchecks her other guitar
Signe SigneSigne illuminated by fairy lights as she soundchecks her other bass. Photo: Katy

Nelson Can soundchecking
Nelson Can soundchecking at Headrow House. Photo: Katy

Nelson Can at Headrow House in Leeds
Signe SigneSigne and Selina Gin concluding the band’s soundcheck. Photo: Katy

Signe SigneSigne smiling during soundcheck
Signe SigneSigne smiles as the band conclude a long soundcheck in Leeds. Photo: Katy

On page two: Merchandise, makeup and pulling hip-hop poses

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