Kråkesølv from Bodø was one of last year’s biggest successes here in Norway, Djerv is a new supergroup with members from Stonegard, Animal Alpha and Gorgoroth, and singer/songwriter Susanne Sundfør is back with a new album that might surprise you as much as it surprised us.

More additions to the line-up are coming next week. Stay tuned!

DJERV
This new Norwegian supergroup plays explosive rock destined to make an impression. Djerv is Agnete from Animal Alpha, Erlend from Stonegard and Stian from Trelldom/Gorgoroth. Their music is to be found somewhere in the intersection of their previous efforts, but with a fresh new energy. This is rock that will hit you in the solar plexus within seconds.

Some demos have circulated for a while, and have been noticed by British magazine Metal Hammer. Zillo Magazine in Germany named the recordings demo of the month. Some new tunes are available on myspace (we suggest you check them out right now), with more to come. Djerv’s debut album will be recorded this spring, and the first announced concert will be at Øya in August.
MYSPACE

SUSANNE SUNDFØR
The best Norwegian album of 2010? Susanne Sundfør’s upcoming The Brothel is a serious contender. We have listened to the record, to be released March 15, and we are IMPRESSED.

The Brothel is produced by Lars Horntveth (Jaga Jazzist, The National Bank) who also plays several instruments on the album, and mixed by Jørgen Træen. Morten Qvenild (The National Bank, In The Country, Susanna & The Magical Orchestra), Gard Nilssen (Puma, Bushman’s Revenge) and Martin Horntveth (Jaga Jazzist, The National Bank, KILLL) are among the guest musicians.

Namedropping aside, this is definitely Sundfør’s show. Her voice – powerful, vulnerable, emotional, soft and sharp at the same time – is the album’s absolute focal point. The voice is framed by arrangements both exquisite and intricate, and the songs are strong and melodic. Sundfør is extraordinarily talented, we knew this much already, but we were still blown away by the tour de force that is The Brothel. In August, she will blow your minds at Øya. Consider yourselves warned.
MYSPACE

KRÅKESØLV
Modern rock in Norwegian is by no means limited to Bergen and Loddefjord. Kråkesølv from Bodø has proved yet again that young people are capable of making exciting music with great lyrics in their mother tongue. Kråkesølv’s debut album Trådnøsting, filled with likeable and jangly guitar pop, made it to many best of-lists last year. Groove.no called it “the best Norwegian debut in years”, and “a small sensation in Norwegian music”.

Their tunes can seem a bit evasive upon first listen, but the quartet’s firm grip on lyrics and feel for catchy melodies make them easily approachable at the same time. Sonic Youth and Blonde Readhead are among Kråkesølv’s heroes, and their influence is definitely heard throughout Trådnøsting, but so are local musical traditions. The band is very much in demand these days, and will tour the whole country this spring. Catch Kråkesølv on the road soon or at The Øya Festival in August. Or both.
MYSPACE