Fresh Norway

You may not be that into traditional norwegian folk music. Hey, I'm not that into it. And I must admit I sort of think that most of it is boring stuff. And that's the clue: I think it is. As with almost any form of music, there's a key you must have to understand it, and the duo Bruvoll/Halvorsen (Tore Bruvoll and Jon Anders Halvorsen) has both the lock and key to norwegian folk music. They're both (fairly) young and has been much ... Read More

I remember seeing the map on Farmers Market's album "Musikk fra Hybridene" and thinking: "What the...? Why haven't anyone told me about these islands before?" But it was - of course - a fake map. The Hybridene Islands just exists in the mind of this truly colourful band, taking no prisoners in the quest for genre anarchi. After a period of inactivity for eight years, Farmers Market is back with "Surfin' USSR" and their hybrid of, well, almost everything really. No rules is ... Read More

Some ten years ago I had a Philip Glass period. I guess everyone has a Philip Glass period, or they should have one while still youthful and pretentious. You could call it a mild child decease - the minimalistics. DJ Larsa is one of those strange people who has cracked the code for writing short sweet melodic tunes that really stick to your mind. A jumpy rhythm for starters, some depth and development for main course and then a sweet melody for dessert. ... Read More

Sahg, out of Bergen, are the kind of metalband that reassures fans of metal all over the world that old tricks may still be very effective. Sure, some miserable people may complain that Sahg sounds too old school and that they're not doing anything that Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin haven't done already. But I say it doesn't matter! We don't need music to be groundbreaking and original all the goddamn time, we also need music that really rocks your socks off! With ... Read More

Releasing one of the most promising debut albums of 2007, Oslo-based three-piece band Deadends blends indie, hard rock, punk and a touch of hardcore and electronica in their musical approach. With three vocalists sharing the microphone they have a lot of options, and they use them well. The result is a sense of controlled desperation and melodic finesse you won't find around every bend. This spring their second album are due for release and we really look forward to it. "This Party ... Read More

I must say I haven't heard a great riff on a trumpet - ever. Why would I? Trumpets are rarely used in popular music. But Katzenjammer has exactly that on their song "A Bar In Amsterdam". Mexican style. While the trumpet is mexican, the lyrics on the chorus of this tune somehow reminds me of Gary Moores "Over The Hills And Far Away". I'm far off, I know, because Katzenjammer doesn't sound anything like Gary Moore. The name of the band says ... Read More

Fancy some energetic punk rock in norwegian, played by seventeen year old girls from the land of the laps, far north in Norway? Yes, I imagined you would. Surprisingly mature in their playing, the four girls in Cyaneed, from the small town of Alta, has achieved a lot being only seventeen. Already being featured in the cult movie hit "Kill Buljo" and playing on national tv, their enthusiastic and (obviously) youthful approach to punk rock is quite refreshing. They may have gotten the ... Read More

Hardly a newcomer, Popface from Stavanger released their debut album "Buck" back in 1995. Releasing 3 strong albums and an EP after this, Popface has certainly not received the recognition they truly deserve from their native country. Despite getting some credit over the years, the norwegian press has mainly stayed almost oblivious towards the band. Shame on you! Luckily, there's a whole world out there and Popface has a name as a quality indie rock band outside the borders of Norway. If ... Read More

You may or may not associate norwegian metal with black metal. I wouldn't blame you. Norwegian black metal is the biggest musical export out of Norway. But in a metal loving country such as Norway, there are also a lot of exciting bands that plug in their guitars and play their metal a little less black, but all the more aggressive and true to the idea of metal. Later years have spawned bands that touches more of the kind of metalcore that ... Read More

Anyone involved in music will tell you the same thing: A band doesn't exist without MySpace page, an extensive home page and major press coverage. They might even have a point. However, the secretive Love Dance from Bergen has none of these things in focus - and they do exist very well without them. The web page is sort of a joke and they are rarely mentioned by anyone outside the twee audience. MySpace? No way! Yet this west coast quintet have ... Read More

How do you achieve the perfect balance between melody and power? Olivia And The Adventures From The Dead (formerly The Schmucks) try every time they make a song - and they consistently succeed. Perhaps a bit too hard for the most touchy indie pop fans, as well as a bit soft for hardcore punk devotees. But certainly not for all those who like to hear a good guitar riff and an excellent tune come together in perfect symbiosis. Their debut album «Hard As ... Read More

Norway has had some great hardcore bands in later years, the best arguably being JR Ewing (R.i.P.), and Sigh & Explode from Oslo seem to be taking that heritage seriously. Perhaps more screamo than hardcore, Sigh & Explode delivers a nice sense of melody and dynamics and they do in fact often sound like JR Ewing. One of two winners of the "Zoom Urørt" contest this year, they've just completed touring Norway for the first time and we expect a lot from ... Read More

Not in any way "fresh" on the scene anymore, but the unusual Ida Maria from Nesna (lives in Stockholm, Sweden) is an interesting and energetic artist on her way to stardom. Even Britain is discovering her as we speak and she hasn't even released an album yet. Pretty straightforward rock at first glance, but Ida Maria inhabits an exciting mix of desperation, joy, attitude and wonderful hooks. And watching her perform live is often quite spectacular. "Oh My God" is all that in ... Read More

So, people, this is the first post of a site we hope will bring you joy and pure pleasure! The idea is to recommend new norwegian music and give you legal mp3's to the best new music available. Of course, you may not find the music we like to be of interest, but that's your problem, not ours. We just think it's nice to be able to recommend music to people who are curious about the norwegian music scene, but don't know enough ... Read More