ten thousand lakes
Minneapolis-based ten thousand lakes (xkl) are Steven Larsen (stringed and electronic instruments) and Peter Bruhn (percussive and electronic instruments). Their influences are numerous, and not limited to music alone.
Visual art, film, dance, poetry, and literature all inform their approach to creativity, as do formative years performing in a European-based shoegaze band an an indie-rock band in the upper Midwest.
what they've done
xkl is committed to exploring creativity in a number of ways: including creating their own music as stand-alone pieces; composing and performing original film scores; and collaborating with inspiring, talented visual artists. In 2021 they founded “The Bakery” as their creative space for musical exploration and recording. What has resulted is a fruitful collaboration that has taken them on a creative journey far exceeding their expectations.
debut album "lorem ipsum"
"Low-key, trippy, and fantastic!"
Steve Manley, owner B-Side Records, Madison, WI
In 2024 xkl released “lorem ipsum,” a 6-song album of original instrumentals which illustrates Peter and Steven’s love of cinematic, ambient/electronic, atmospheric music.
The album has enjoyed modest success, with well over 10,000 streams in 49 countries as of December of 2025. Several tracks have received radio play on numerous stations, including KEXP, Seattle; Minnesota Public Radio; WVXU, Cincinnati; and KXCI, Tucson.
Tracks from "lorem ipsum" have also been used by other artists to accompany and enhance their work. Examples include:
John Shuerman
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Cynthia Berger
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Adriana Lazzari
Perugia, Italy
Tetsuo Noise Box
Sicily
the maya deren project
The films of Ukrainian-born Maya Deren struck a chord in xkl. Steven and Peter gravitate towards atmospheric, emotional, ethereal, discordant and harmonious sounds—whatever it takes to touch something special. Thus it was no surprise last year to be drawn to Deren’s silent films…mystical, distorted, disturbing, atmospheric, mesmerizing. They touch something beyond the consciousness, something of which dreams are made. It was a labor of deep admiration and respect to create original music to these special visions, and xkl was very thankful to the Maya Deren Estate to receive permission to play these live shows in numerous theaters throughout the Midwest and beyond. Highlights of the project include four sold out performances in Minneapolis, and performing at the Oak Cliff Film Festival in Dallas, Texas.
what they're doing
collaboration with Le Pustra
Berlin-based performance artist/actor Le Pustra, who plays the recurring role of Edwina Morrell on the critically acclaimed German and Netflix program “Babylon Berlin,” connected with our music (thanks to social media) resulting in a collaboration on a song and video. The song will be released on xkl’s next album, and Le Pustra is in the midst of creating an accompanying video.
Le Pustra collaboration preview...
next album
In spring, 2026, xkl will be heading to Low Swing studio in Berlin to work with the extraordinary German musician/composer/producer Markus Reuter. xkl is eyeing a fall, 2026, release. Sample demo tracks with archival film:
productions for 2026
An homage to ground-breaking experimental filmmakers, "Iconic Short Films of the 20th Century" includes five short films at the forefront of breaking new cinematic ground. These are visually stunning experiences to which xkl has added original music to enhance the overall impact.
Running time: 70'
Program preview...
Lichtspiel Opus II & III (1921-1923 / 7')
German abstract filmmaker, Walter Ruttmann, best known for his stunning documentary, "Berlin: Symphony of a Great City" (1927), his "Opus" animations are believed to be the oldest, geometric experiments in film. We perform our piece, appropriately entitled, "Lichtspiel," to Opus II and III.
Entr'acte (1924 / 20')
Often referred to as a masterpiece, this Dadaist film by René Clair, features appearance by creative icons Erik Satie, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray. Humorous and innovative, "Entr'acte" fearlessly incorporated slow motion, reversed segments, twisted angles, and overlapping imagery.
At Land (1944 / 15')
A pioneer in American experimental film, Maya Deren "nearly single-handedly put experimental cinema on the American cultural map, and also became its iconic visual presence" in the 1940's (The New Yorker). According to Deren, "At Land" is a "mythological voyage of the twentieth century," a voyage in which one is challenged with trying to maintain one's identity in a society that imposes its own values and expectations.
Ritual in Transfigured Time (1946 / 15')
A lifelong lover of dance, Maya Deren treats the mundane as such, exemplified by turning a cocktail party into a choreographed social event. Eventually the film transforms into a beautifully choreographed chase, culminating in Deren’s merging with the sea.
Dream of the Wild Horses (1960 / 10')
Majestic and dream-like, wild herds of the Camargue are portrayed with fluid slow-motion and soft-focus camera in this mesmerizing French short film by Denys Colomb de Daunant.
Faust (1926 / 2 hrs)
"From the standpoint of taste and photographic brilliance it Is doubtful whether there has ever been a production that surpassed it." - Variety
F.W. Murnau's Faust is astounding. The fact that it was made in 1926 is difficult to comprehend, as the startling visuals are still haunting today. Marking its 100th Anniversary, xkl is proud to present this landmark piece of movie-making with an original score.