Hanne Kolstø - Riot Break

I'm not sure when exactly I started to listen to Hanne Kolstø's music, but it must have been in connection with Thelma & Clyde playing from my loudspeakers in February 2010. I guess there is no need to explain that Hanne is filling the Thelma-part of the widely known electropop duo. But besides of two more bands (Love:Fi, POST) she is also making music on her own behalf - her soloproject, so to say. And on Friday, 16th of September, her debut album "Riot Break" was finally and officially released. Big day!!!

Hanne Kolstø, Photo by Kjartan Bjelland // fvn.no

But before I start telling you what I like about this album I should explain how I came to listen to her music and how things developed. Back then (in Feb. 2010, as mentioned above) I listened to the solo-recording of "A Long Way" (a song she later released with POST) which I found and downloaded from her Urørt page. I would lie if I'd say I was fascinated and stunned at first sight. It was after all the only song I had known, besides of the 5-6 Thelma & Clyde songs. But I liked Hanne's voice, it's very pleasant to listen to and found the song interesting. And just thinking that the Thelma-stuff is one of the best things I've ever heard, made me curious to find and hear more from Hanne self or "In the Basement" as she called her soloproject back then. 

A long search on the internet provided me a couple of clips. Some live performances which I downloaded wisely thinking in advance because the page I took them from was deleted some time ago - it was some Norwegian page with lots of live performances and couple of muisc videos mainly from artists from southern Norway. However this way I got a preview of the things I could expect, sort of. And first and foremost I could see how she is performing the songs. Her voice, a guitar, a loopstation and some other unimposing utilities - not much more needed to make the songs sound complete and unique. And that truely impressed me.

So now the album is out and it's hard for me to stay objective - therefore I can't write a proper review (or I won't do that here on my private blog). But if you don't mind a personal opinion about "Riot Break" you can continue reading - otherwise I recommend the reviews from Norskmusikk.org and Musikknyheter.no !!

"Riot Break" albumcover by Erik Pirolt

"Riot Break" is not only title of the album but also of the song I had known the longest and which is based on voice looping and the sounds of a little keyboard. It's the coolest song on the album and interesting in the way it is put together. The other song I had known some time already is "What The Wind Can't Carry" - it starts so calming, kinda melancholic with a heartbeat-like rhythm. But by the end the song goes over into an orchestral-like explosion. "Clandestine" is of a similar kind - not that sad though. It's funny that this song wasn't much of my taste first but made me get up again at around 4 o'clock in the morning just because I had to listen to this song once more and another time, and another... It's now one of my absolute favourites of the album as well as "Black Hand" which I love because of the lyrics and this really nice guitar based melody underlined with some e-guitar. 

"Dead Seat" was probably the song I've been looking forward to the most since it was put out as teaser for the album and it's satisfying to hear how the full version turned out to be. The first track on the album "Don't Wan't To Be Happy In The Moment, I Want It To Last" I had known for several months and I was sceptic first of all but came to like it really, not least because of its lyrics: "Nobody can leave me, I'm already alone. I'm fine on my own, I don't need anyone. [...] If we don't know ourselves how can we be ourselevs? [...] If you don't like yourself than be someone else." These lyrics will just stick to your head and leave you pondering.

I was also sceptic about "Simca" which consists of drumming and Hanne's voice forming the melody in addition to guitar and some claps. It's maybe not the best tracks on the album but it belongs to the album just like the others. And on the other hand - some of the songs on the record are extraordinary good - just like the killer-hit-single "The City" - this beautiful, unique song starts quite gloomy but turns into a comforting popsong making you sing, dance and clap along. It's magical and a good choice for the music video which was released just about a week ago.
"Hide And Seek" makes the impression of a very honest and grounded song played on acoustic guitar with solid lyrics. The album is ending with "Dear Friend" - a, on a sweet guitar melody based, track awaiting an equally sweet song, but it gets a bit twisted in the middle just where you don't expect it.

All in all you get sweet melodies, cool loops, playful but carefully placed effects on Riot Break which are carried by Hanne's voice and underlined by the lyrics. If I had to express my feelings about the album in figures (like it's common in reviews), I'd give the album 5/6! And if I could recommend just three songs of it, I'd mention: Clandestine, What The Wind Can't Carry and The City.

Riot Break was released on the 16th of September 2011with Karmakosmetix Records. The album (vinyl!!!) can be bought via CDON.eu or Platekompaniet (if you live in Norway) and downloaded from many music stores. You can also listen to the album via Spotify or WIMP. 

Links to connect with Hanne Kolstø: Webpage | MySpace | NRK Urørt | SoundCloud

...men hvorfor norsk?

It's now almost a year ago since I started to learn Norwegian. I enjoy it!! I can read and understand normal texts, messages, articles and translate them for myself. When possible I try to write to my Norwegian friends in Norwegian. And I come to understand more and more when I listen/watch Norwegian radio and TV - that's actually the most difficult part for me - understanding spoken Norwegian. The same goes for speaking the language myself. Sometimes Norwegian dialects and Nynorsk (since I only learn Bokmål) are giving me riddles, but I'm confident in learning them. And luckily I can see a positive progess in my skills.

And it's funny because everytime I tell that I'm learning Norwegian I get to hear the same question over and over again: But why Norwegian?! Why not Swedish or Danish instead? And in fact around three years ago I had a bigger connection to Sweden and Denmark - mainly because of my friends and music. That was back then but time passed. I got to know more Norwegian bands. Gained friends in Norway and grew on the thought of visiting that country once. 

I listened to interviews in Norwegian and thought this language is sounding funny in a way, kind of cute. It reminded me of a mixture of English and German with Austrian dialects - and I was not that wrong about that: There are a couple of words being pronounced exactly the same way in some Austrian dialects. I found that aspect interesting. The similarity to German is in general quite interesting. Furthermore I found out that my favourite fairytale when I was a kid, is in fact Norwegian. And just the thought of interacting with Norwegians made me happy - always had good experiences.

Picture from my Norwegian textbook "Et år i Norge"

That's how it started and now after a year I know why I'm still so eager on learning the language. I've been in Norway last November. Met many people, saw some of the culture of the customs, ate Norwegian food and spoke some Norwegian as well as understanding it - all that together was the best thing I ever did. It's a wonderful country which I'm deeply missing, every day!

I like Norwegian dialects. Well, sometimes I don't notice them and sometimes I have to distinguish them from Nynorsk or just a common youth language or special expressions. I often ask friends to explain me certain things - especially when it comes to idiomatic skills. It doesn't give me headaches - I love to learn about them.  

Recently I started reading a book with Norwegian fairytales (the book is in German though). I read them afterwards in Norwegian on the web but I'm just so stunned how many of these fairytales I had known in their German version and others are completely new to me with trolls and huldras. And they sound so beautiful in Norwegian that I can't keep myself from reading them loud for myself. :)

The fact that I've never ever been more fascinated by a language, country and culture tells me that I made the right decision. HURRA!! :)

K-town is The City

Kristiansand, Norway. Summer 2011. Empty streets make this city in the very south of Norway appear like a small village were everybody knows each other. Its inhabitants: a bunch of people that couldn't differ more from each other. It's a special atmosphere - odd but familiar, controversial but interesting, excentric but magnetic. And in the middle of all this: Hanne Kolstø.

The City is the first single of Hanne Kolstø's upcoming album "Riot Break". It's a nice grounded pop song of the gloomy kind and at the same time embracing - especially the samplings in the background. Tommy Olsson writes in Morgenbladet: "[...] I can't possibly be alone to have noticed this seldom quality of a feeling as if someone's caressing my hair and saying that everything's going to be okay [...]" That description suits the song pretty well I think.

And now the music video to The City is released. Directed by Fred Arne Wergeland who already directed a video to one of Hanne's songs some years ago: Slow Song by POST (one of the bands Hanne is working with). As I'm a person who loves good music videos and who loves videoediting, I come to say that I like the way the video was cut, the slight vignetting and lighting.
But you better watch for yourself and stay tuned for the album release on the 16th of September 2011.

Be the city with all the lights that never ever sleeps at night & ENJOY!!

Autumn mood!

One of the best and most inspiring things I can think of is sitting on my balcony and watching the weather and the nicely colored leaves on trees moving with the wind. Or watching the moon and the stars during night. There'd be pillows, blankets and candles around because evenings and nights are getting cooler now. But no matter how cold or windy or rainy it is, it becomes the most enjoyable feeling when listening to music.

And this autumn there is lots of Susanne Sundfør, Susanna Wallumrød and Love:Fi on my playlist. Watching the stars while listening to The Brothel by Sundfør or to Love:Fi's album 18 during thunderstorms is just magical. Gloomy. Pure. Honest. And soooo inspiring.

In addition to that I recommend to watch Sundfør's "kontorkonsert" here. Wow. I'm so stunned the songs she is performing here sound like studio recorded versions but as a matter of fact is her voice just so flawless.

A concert with Frida Ånnevik

Recommendation coming up: It is one of the finest concerts you'll ever be able to enjoy on your computer screen and great pastime for everyone loving smooth going and grounded music. 

This little intimate gig took already place in February and contains the songs from Frida Ånnevik's debut record Synlige hjerteslag. A record I warmly recommend. The music is a very genuine mixture of pop and jazz - you'll hear that their is not too much jazz in it, neither too much pop. The lyrics are in Norwegian and although it's very difficult for me to understand it's something I very much appreciate about this album. But I think most of all I like how the album and the songs are presented: In a solid way, not fancy or glamourous, just music performed by great musicians.

And besides of Frida Ånnevik we find many known musicians on stage (or at least their names are known to me): May K. Kaspersen & Carina Moen (vocals), Elisabeth Nesset (percussion & drumming), Torjus Eggen (bass), Mads R. Johansen (drums), Andreas Mjøs & Haldor Røyne (guitars) and Einar Næss Haugseth (keys).

Follow this link to see the whole concert filmed and provided by NRK.

The one with the recording studio!

"I'm actually a fan of the Lodge on Facebook!!" - I said while Morten looked at me quite puzzled for some moments.

I am still asking myself if that was the most clever sentence I could come up with when I met Morten Martens after the Thelma & Clyde album release in Oslo, Norway in November 2010. But of course no matter how many stupid things I've said that evening I was glad I could shake his hand and say hello.

First time I read his name must have been in connection with Themla & Clyde in February 2010. And back then I had a HUGE impact when it comes to Norwegian music. I was a bit surprised to read his name among the line-up or producers of so many bands. I started to wonder about who he is. Does he really play bass and keys in so many bands? Is he the only bass player they have in Norway? And does he really own a recording studio although he seems to be so young? How can he be so good when it comes to recording and producing?

Photo by Arild Danielsen / Absolutt KRS

I always liked to meet, read or write about interesting people and to hear about their stories and habits - that inspires me. I usually can't tell what exactly makes them so fascinating but I always thought that Morten Martens is one of those interesting and inspiring people others should write about or make TV-reports or write blogs about.
And now just a couple of weeks ago I read this article about him in Absolutt KRS: Mystiske Morten Martens ("Mystical Morten Martens"). "Jaaaaaaaaaaa, endelig!! Flott!!!!" - I thought when reading through it. 

Long article, yes, but worth to read. And we get to know a more private side of the, in 1982 born, musician/producer. He learned to play guitar at a young age. And being the second guitar player in a rockband he switched to bass - due to the higher archieving guitar player in the band (isn't it always like that?). 
The Lodge is his very own recording studio where he is producing, mixing, playing and sleeping when there is lots to do. And over the years he was able to work with many different artists and bands such as: Love:Fi (one of my absolute favourites), Salvador Sanchez (I loved his latest album Happy Daze, btw), Kjetil Grande (some of the finest music), Hanne Kolstø (solo but also with Thelma & Clyde), Tenderleaves, Davy Jones' Locker.... etc. He was even awarded a Spellemannpris - Norwegian Grammy - for his collaboration with Sanchez. Furthermore he believes in "arguing at frist sight" and will become a professional Angry Birds player if is career as musician stops. James Blake's selftitled album inspired him to work on his solo project but he fears to put it out because it might reflect a part of his soul and who he is.

In the end the Absolutt KRS article didn't make him appear less mystical but maybe more understandable. So I really recommend to read it.

Morten is cool.


And if you want to see some of Morten's abilities as musician live on stage you should check these videos with Kjetil Grande, Salvador Sanchez and Thelma & Clyde. 

Links: The Lodge on the web, Facebook and MySpace. And Morten Martens on MySpace.