About the band

Clara Tesch – violin, viola & vocal
Elisabeth Dichmann – violin & vocal
Maja Aarøe Freese –  5 string cello & lead vocal 

The name
The name Vesselil, taken from an ancient Danish ballad, tells the story about the young woman Vesselil, who refuses to sell her dreams and ambitions for gold. With her integrity as inspiration, the trio create a unique flair and forge a bridge between old traditions and contemporary compositions in a both powerful and sensitive way.

The meeting
The trio was formed in late 2015 at Danish National Academy of Music where the members met during their studies at the folk music program. They were soon drawn to each other’s musical and personal energies and spent a lot of time in Elisabeth’s cottage jamming, talking, exploring and composing music together.
Three years later Vesselil released their well received debut album “Vesselil” in November 2018. The same year they won a prize for their interpretations of the music of the Danish composer D.T.S Bjerregaard. 

In April 2023 they released their second album “Til Kirsten” for which they received 3 DMA Roots nominations: Album of the year, Artist of the year, Track of the year.

The music
Each with a common background in classical music, the three women simultaneously discovered folk music in 2010 through different folk and world music camps.  Apart from studies in traditional music at Danish National Academy of Music they all studied music abroad; both Maja and Clara went to Skurups Folkhögskola in Sweden, Elisabeth studied Indian Classical violin for 1,5 years in New Delhi and Maja’s curiosity for groovy ways to play the cello has drawn her to the U.S.

These different musical influences and interests bring unique qualities to the sound of Vesselil; Clara – hugely connected to the dance feeling of the music, Maja – both singing and playing with power and groove and the long stretched phrases from Elisabeth. 

With an unusual presence and devotion to the music, vivid and elegant musical arrangements and their swinging and energetic performance, the trio has impressed and touched a wide audience around Denmark, Finland, Germany and Switzerland counting festivals like Musik Over Præstø Fjord (DK), Copenhagen Jazz Festival, CPH World Music Festival (DK), Kaustinen Folk Festival (FIN) folkBALTICA (DE), Tanz & Folk Festival Berlin (DE) and Buskers Bern (CH).