K-X-P

A Finnish neo-prog outfit called K-X-P operates under the leadership of Timo Kaukolampi, whose prior affiliations include Op:l Bastards and the Lefthanded. Bassist and keyboardist Tuomo Puranen, drummer Anssi Nykanen, and electronic percussionist Tomi Leppänen complete the lineup. Smalltown Supersound executive Joakim Haugland, already familiar with Kaukolampi through his production work for Norwegian pop sensation Annie, urged him to assemble a band after encountering his Krautrock-inspired solo beats. K-X-P began group rehearsals soon after and reached the stage by 2007. Smalltown Supersound issued the self-titled debut in 2010. The band then moved to England’s Melodic label for K-X-P II, which appeared in 2013 and contained a pair of spaced-out vocal contributions from Annie. Svart released the 34-minute mini-album History of Techno in 2014, an effort appropriately anchored by driving bass drums, ahead of K-X-P III, Pt. 1, the group’s third proper album, the following year.