“Florian Weiss’ young, Swiss quartet has been around for five years, causing excitement amid the trade press up and down the country as well as their ever-growing fan base.

In spring 2014, the composer and trombonist founded the band, Woodoism, with Linus Amstad (alto sax), Philipp Leibundgut (percussion, glockenspiel) and Valentin v. Fischer (bass), who were all students at the Hochschule der Kunste Bern (Bern University of Arts) at the time ’Refugium’ is also the title of one of the tracks on the CD which is particularly close to my heart. It is dedicated to an imaginary place where one feels safe and secure; where there is no time pressure and the problems or stress of everyday life are nowhere to be seen. The album is called ‘Refugium’ because, in a way, this band is my musical refuge. Here, I can play my tunes but we come up with musical ideas together and collectively figure out how to bring them to life. In the five years of being band mates, we have all become really good friends and it is comforting to know that although I am (mostly) in charge of all the compositional and organisational tasks, we all strive for the same goal and really show a strong sense of commitment towards the band.”