Norwegian Music
 

I'm a Norwegian and music is my passion, but I believe I may be blessed (or cursed) with the tastes of an older English man. I like bands and artists like Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Roxy Music, Iron Maiden, Hatfield and the North, Kate Bush .. you probably know already if you've read any of my posts. Most of my favourite artists by far are from the British Isles.

Of course there are some Norwegian artists and perhaps a composer or two that I like as well, but they are not that many and of course there's all that black metal which I never really tapped into and all those variations of Norwegian pop music which I feel like I'm no longer in touch with. In short, I just don't listen to a lot of Norwegian music and would like to get more familiar with that sort of stuff. I thought it could make for an interesting thread, if a little self-indulgent.

So, do you guys know of any Norwegian music you like or think I might like?

TBO i dont even know were half of the artist i listen to are from.. thats not really important 2 me i just listen to music worldwide doing that helps me find alot of stuff

I've meticulously tagged just about all the artists in my digital collection with tags saying where they come from and so I know stuff like how Billy Ocean is from Trinidad and that the Gibb brothers from Bee Gees are from Isle of Man ;)

The number of Norwegian artists in my collection is still fairly limited. If you have any sort of interest in electronic or ambient music you should definitely give Biosphere a listen, if you haven't done so already of course. His 1997 album Substrata is considered an ambient masterpiece and rightly so. He's based in Tromsø and Substrata has a cool Arctic feel to it.

Other than that I could list some black metal bands that you have probably heard anyway, or don't care about, but Ulver in particular definitely deserve a mention. While their first three albums are black metal with folk influences, their more electronic and progressive stuff from Perdition City onward is incredible and are a band I'd definitely recommend to everyone.

Just off the top of my head, have you tried Gazpacho, prog rock band with a new album out this year (and reviewed yesterday by me)

and Issa is really good if you like AOR


I'll look for more...

Biosphere I'm sure I've heard of, but I've never listened an album. I happen to like a lot of ambient music, so I'll definitely check that out :) Of Ulver, I've heard some of their early folky stuff which was nice, if a little rusty in production (if I remember correctly). I'll pick up on your advice and check out some of their less early stuff as well!

Regarding other Norwegian black metal bands, I have heard something from most of them by far, but it's been a song here and there. It's seldom I've really sat down with a whole album (Ulver is one of few exceptions), but I'm definitely willing to go there if someone could point me in a direction.

I did give their debut (which is supposed to be fantastic) a quick listen, but didn't really put much effort into it and as such can't remember much about them. I'll give'em another chance and check out their latest.

Thanks for the recommendations, guys :)

Have you listened to Shining, Tore? They're definitely one of my favorite Norwegian bands. Their first two albums were pretty much straight free jazz but over time they've begun to incorporate a wide range of influences into their sound, to the point where their last album was closer to being avant-metal than jazz. I think you might like their albums In the Kingdom of Kitsch You Will Be a Monster and Grindstone since they hadn't gone quite so heavy at that point and also had somewhat of a prog influence.

I remember this lot causing a little bit of a stir around 2002/03 and getting a good bit of airplay in the UK at the time....



I remember quite liking their first couple of albums.

To Jans, thanks for the tip on Shining! They sound quite interesting. I've already found the albums on Spotify and will check them out shortly.

To rostasi, thanks for your recommendations also! I've heard a bit of Høst which is alright despite some very cheesy lyrics, but Thule is a band I haven't really listened to. I'll check out Natt :)

Supersilent I've never heard about, but I'm not sure it's my cup of tea. Though I listen to a lot of flavours of experimental music, I have to admit I have a fondness for harmonies and melodies. Röyksopp are of course very famous here and I think the last Norwegian pop song I remember noticing and liking was one of theirs featuring Swedish singer Karin Dreijer Andersson from The Knife who has quite the unique voice.




To Urban, I've heard of Kings of Convenience of course, but never actually checked them out. Toxic Girl is quite a pretty pop tune, laid back and melodic with nice arrangements. I like it :) Putting them on my to-do list.


Thanks again, guys.

i have a few suggestions in various genres but have to ask you if you would prefer them to be in native language or of english is fine?