Flick your Spotify onto Surrender by Kygo and you’ll soon hear the lung bursting voice of Fred Well filling the air. It’s unmistakable. Around four million people streamed it this month as the album caught fire.

Today Kygo is back with his latest song, Hold On Me with Italian born Swedish singer singwriter Sandro Cavazza. If you are one of the DJs 6.85m followers on YouTube, go ahead and check the credits.

Fred was co-writer on the lyrics too. In fact, writing songs is his super-power and possibly even obsession.

“Sometimes I wake up at night, like it could be 4am and just start to record stuff in bed,” he grins, “My girlfriend thinks I'm nuts sometimes, but, yeah, that's how it is to be creative, I guess.”

That creativity has just delivered his own new song too, Little House, released just a few days ago before we met to record the Good Stuff In Between podcast (Ep 17).

He said: “We just wanted to write a song about when we all wanted to chase our dreams but we always want to remember where we were coming from. Chase your dreams, but always know the road that leads you back home again.

“I'm from the countryside half an hour outside of Bergen, so there's always these little houses around. So that was the whole picture and the idea of it. We've experienced a lot, but always remember that little house where you're from.”

You can listen to, or watch, the full episode now at Good Stuff In Between.

Heartbreak again

🎬 Moyka is back with a special Movies, Cars & Heartbreak ‘Heartbreak Edition’ EP which also include a video premiere (above) tonight for Already Gone.

It includes collabs with none other than Iris. You can listen to the reworked Never Say Sorry here.

Self Care

💔 MAIH's debut EP entitled For All Of The Times I Broke My Own heart is slated for release on November 22, capping what has been a transformational year for the artist from Dale. She explains:

“Each track represents a moment of healing from a moment where I pieced myself back together after losing sight of who I was It’s a raw journey through heartbreak, self-doubt, and the messy beauty of growth. These songs are about reclaiming the parts of me I thought I had lost, and finding strength in the scars."

Listen out for the uplifting "What I Know Now" to the crying-on-the-dancefloor vibes of "Close To Dying" and "Your Terms", and as yet unheard tracks "Nobody Gets Me" and "Star:Crossed".

Fest For Success

🎪 Sigrid’s festival diary is fast filling up as expectations of new music from the Ålesund singer songwriter grows with every tease on Instagram.

She’ll be performing Live at Leeds on Saturday May 24, Neighbourhood Weekender in Warrington on Sunday, May 25 with other dates around Norway and Europe already penned in.

Here’s a video from when she chatted to NME about her last album at Glastonbury to get you in the mood.

Sax Appeal

🎷Norwegian musicians are showcased at this year’s London Jazz Festival starting from tonight. Check out the full list of Norwegian jazz players at this link.

Moon Shot

🪐 Talking of Jazz, the excellent debut EP Bad Mantras from Orbits - Natalie Sandtorv, Lars Horntveth and Erlend Mokkelbostis - is out today.

Available as a vinyl-only EP, a full-length album is due to follow in February 2025.

Taking Control

❤️ Oslo-based JOA recorded a special performance for the fabulous Monitor Sessions, including her latest track Let Go. It’s a must watch.

Busy Bee

🚊Another beautiful new track this week from O.Martin with Old School Lover. He explains:

A song I wrote with @lapsleyyyy a few years ago. The story takes place in Manchester, where two lovers part ways, having one last night out together. Beautiful vocals and backing vocals by @selmafrida . A huge thank you to @haakonaase for his beautiful violin playing, @trondkallevag for his crazy pedal steel skills, and @kimfuruhaug as always, for the amazing drums. Produced and mixed by me. Mastered by Alex Wharton at legendary @abbeyroadstudios

Hard hitting

MaVe is releasing what has been described as a “bruising” new single next week in the shape of Tolerate.

“It’s about finding strength in an impossible situation. When there’s no other choice than to endure and get through it," says the artist.

The cover for the new single, shot by Bergen based Vegar Moe Media, looks like this:

Curve Ball

💃 Check out this cinematic live performance of When the Dark Dresses Lightly from Aurora for Amazon Music as part of its new Curved performances project from its Creative Studios.

Dog Days

🐾 Skaar has popped up on Instagram to confirm that she’s writing more music and having fun with four legged friends.

She’s also been confirmed as the first artist named for the line up at Middattsrocken in July.

Horsing Around

🐴 Hollywood Hills by Anna of the North is out everywhere now, and sung in Norwegian, her first all Norwegian song.

Landmark Event

🎤 If you are lucky enough to be in Bergen tonight, check out Bo Milli who is playing live at Landmark.

Winning Feeling

🏆 And finally …. following agreement in how categories will be accepted, entries for the prestigious Spellemann awards have been extended until 28 November.

The full list can be found here.

🇳🇴 2025 Festival Calendar

Jun 11 - 14 Bergenfest (Bergen)

Jun 18 - 21 OverOslo (Oslo)

Jul 3 - 5 Stavernfest (Stavern)

Jul 4 - 5 Palmesus (Kristiansand)

Jul 9 - 10 Slottsfjell (Tønsberg)

Jul 29 - Aug 3 Olavfest (Trondheim)

Aug 6 - 9 Øyafestivalen (Oslo)

Aug 22 - 23 Feelings Festival (Bergen)

Aug 22 - 23 Jugend (Ålesund)

It’s all kicking-off on the Norwegian music scene with new releases, live tours and festival dates for your diary and award season around the corner.

We’ve also been over to Oslo and Bergen to check out Girl in Red making her return to the Norwegian capital for the first time in five years, and Nothing Personal’s unique and brilliant show.

But for now ….

(Or read on the website)

Stars, come out for Glasgow

Sara Fjeldvæer already has two brilliant albums under her belt. Well, three if you include her most recent collaboration - Like Waves - with Mathias Angelhus. On Monday (Oct 21) she will perform tracks from her eponymous 2021 album, this year’s Stars, and some new works in progress for her debut live UK show taking place at 8pm in Glasgow’s Old Toll Bar with tickets (just £10) on sale now. You can hear her talk about life, love and loneliness in the latest podcast episode (Ep16) , how it is she came to run a record label from her base in Trondheim, and a preview of just what is in store for all those smart enough to make it along to see her show. Here’s a clip from her Vier Live stream.

Music ​does ​everything, ​doesn't ​it? It's ​kind ​of ​like, ​what ​do ​you ​call ​it, a ​cooperation ​or ​something ​between ​the ​music ​and ​yourself, ​like ​reflecting ​who ​you ​are ​and, ​also ​listening ​to ​what's ​happening ​in ​the ​music. ​​So ​there ​are ​both : You ​could ​get ​more ​lonely. ​You ​can ​find ​comfort. ​I ​think ​most ​people ​find ​comfort ​in ​music, ​which ​I ​think ​is ​beautiful. ​I ​do ​a ​lot. I'm, very ​happy ​when ​I ​find ​music ​that ​gives ​me ​comfort.

- SARA FJELDVÆR

Support on the night comes from Shetlander Philomenah.

Having the time of his life?

O.Martin is a respected singer, songwriter and producer but most likely known here in the UK for his work with the likes of Aurora, Sigrid, Hannah Storm and many others. So it was little surprise that they exploded with excitement on social when he announced the release of his own track, Patrick Swayze.

Ever since I was little, I’ve dreamed of working with music, and over the past 10 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some of Norway’s biggest and most exciting artists. In between it all, I’ve been writing songs, both with others and on my own. In the midst of everything, I lost love, found love, had kids, got married, divorced, and found love again. Life happens. Finally, it feels natural to share some music with you.

- O. MARTIN

There’s also a live date at Parkteateret in Oslo on January 16, 2025.

Terms of engagement

Friday saw MAIH drop yet another single on the back of her trio of Spotify attracting tracks that have made 2024 a defining year for the rising star of Norwegian pop. The latest song - Your Terms - out on DUR/Playground Music Scandinavia is a made for radio pop bliss full of tear jerking ballad drum beats, synth and vulnerable voice for the broken hearted. Her first solo show is on October 30 at Lufthavnamir in Oslo.

Your Terms is about letting someone take advantage of your kindness.and not realising what you truly deserve until you’ve burnt yourself to the ground

- MAIH

Hold Fast

The wonderful Døssi has released a five track EP called ‘Next Stop Forever’ and is in the middle of a mini tour, including at 8pm in Oslo’s SALT tonight.

This has felt like a very long wait, and it feels very liberating that it's finally out. A small five-song collection about life - about being able to dream back in nostalgia when life feels a little dreamy and about the hope that soon it will land in something that feels right.
- Døssie

Now Playing

💿 Emily Hammer has dropped her latest single, Between Us.

💿 Marie Løvås has released The Final Trick.

💿 Orbits latest track Falling Apart is out on Jazzland Recordings

Tune In

Gratulerer Hedda Mae on the release of her triumphant and deeply personal debut album Channel Mae which is out now just in time for your weekend playlists.

I had to end a close partnership with someone in my team, and that was a very difficult process - both personally and professionally. Naturally, those experiences and the stress that came with them influenced both the album and the writing process, giving the music a new depth. Writing became a way for me to deal with everything I was feeling and going through. In the end, I made an album that feels a bit autobiographical - a journey of breaking free from a toxic relationship.

- Hedda Mae

Major News

🎶 Klossmajor go on tour at the end of the month, with an eight date run in Norway.

It ain’t over ‘til it’s …. Oslo

Hmmm. Already looking at a trip to Norway in the summer for when Skaar plays Over Oslo on June 18. Check out the full line up and get your tickets here.🎪

Happy ending

🎵 M2M are back after 22 years. A series of live dates are also being announced including Oslo and Manilla.

Queendom Arriveth

🎪 Bergenfest is back from June 11 to 14, with Aurora already unveiled as headline act with further new announcements this Monday. You can check the English text version of the website here for updates.

She also teamed up with six times Grammy winner Jacob Collier and Greenpeace for this remarkable performance on an iceberg in the Arctic to call for the protection of oceans and to stop deep sea mining.

On Schedule?

Sigrid (from Ålesund) has also joined calls to ban deep sea mining and released a story on Instagram. She’s also been posting lots of content alluding to work advancing on her third album raising expectations of fans of new music to come, including an appearance at the UK Glamour Women of the Year awards.

Northern Light

Anna of the North has promised Norwegian tunes are dropping imminently, but in the meantime her track Lovers has exploded on Spotify with 120,000,000 streams and now topping 10m views on YouTube.

It begged her to ask the question …. why suddenly viral?

The song was previously included in the soundtrack to hit 2018 movie To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. It has just been named by Entertainment Weekly as among the 17 best romantic comedy movies on Netflix right now as of October 2024.

As long as you’re here

⭕️ Five years have passed since Moyka debuted her first EP ‘Circles’. The first year of her album Movies, Cars and Heartbreak fast approaching after her summer tour.

Laser Vision

🎤 Tickets go on sale from Monday for Whammyboy’s full band set to Oslo in March.´complete with now signature lightshow.

Rock On

🎵 Kaizers Orchestra have revealed live dates for the summer.

Cue Queue the Music

🥁 Of All things have released their debut album Falling In Line With The Person in Front Of You.

Film Buffs

🎸 Stavanger favourites Sløtface are taking their Tropes and Dream show on tour in January and February, including songs from the new album Film Buff.

Spellbound

🏆 Entries open for the 2024 Spellemann Awards on Tuesday, and close on November 21. A record 1300 entries were received last time around.

Word of Mouth

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Not long now until Nordic Music Days arrives in Scotland for what promises to be a brilliant few days of music and networking.

🇳🇴 2025 Festival Calendar

Jun 11 - 14 Bergenfest (Bergen)

Jun 18 - 21 OverOslo (Oslo)

Jul 3 - 5 Stavernfest (Stavern)

Jul 4 - 5 Palmesus (Kristiansand)

Jul 9 - 10 Slottsfjell (Tønsberg)

Jul 29 - Aug 3 Olavfest (Trondheim)

Aug 6 - 9 Øyafestivalen (Oslo)

Aug 22 - 23 Jugend (Ålesund)

Hello and welcome to New Nordic, the new name for Made in Norway.

There is so much amazing music crossing the borders between Norway and neighbouring countries, it just made sense to now include talent from across the region.

There will still be the ‘Made in Norway’ obsession with all things there you’ve come to expect, but now in addition also looking at the scene in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden plus the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland where we can.

We’re also playing around with the idea of incorporating other cultural activities that might be of interest such as film and TV, events and possibly even travel, as we look to open up connections with Scotland.

So please do share your ideas and feedback and most of all news. In the meantime, welcome to our new followers, and enjoy today’s edition.

New Music

❤️ Singer songwriter MAIH will release her new heartbreak anthem ‘Close To Dying’ this week ahead of her debut EP slated for delivery in October. It is the follow-up to her singles ‘Red Sleeves’ and ‘What I Know Now’ which came out earlier his year. "The song explores the heartache and tension of growing apart from someone," explains MAIH. "I tried to capture the bittersweet grief of realising you're no longer who you once were and how chasing the extreme highs and lows of the relationship becomes the only way to feel anything at all." ‘Close To Dying’ is out on August 23 via DUR/Playground Music Scandinavia.

✨ All kinds of love for ‘Emelie’ out now from the fabulous Emelie Hollow. She’ll be on tour across Norway this winter.

🎦 🚗 💔Hallingdal singer songwriter Moyka has been asking fans what they think of this new track she debuted on the road over summer. A: it’s a bop!

🌲Denmark’s Emmelie de Forest has teased new music coming in a month’s time when she plans to release the first single from a promised new album.

🖋 So too has Døssi who has signalled new music is on its way soon.

🎤 For a burst of nostalgia, or timeless discovery for the younger generations, A-ha have released their Ultimate collection on vinyl feature their hits and hidden gems. Similarly Sweden’s First Aid Kit have released a 10th anniversary version of Stay Gold.

🎵 ENN is the new album from Faroese singer songwriter Eivør including a cameo on Times Square’s promo circuit. A tour follows, including a date in Glasgow.

Record of the Week

🎺 A new band project with its origins in the 2022 Moldejazz festival called Orbits have released their debut single ‘Synthetic Sweetness’. Lars Horntveth, leader of Norwegian jazz-rock legends Jaga Jazzist, producer Erlend Mokkelbost and Natalie Sandtorv, solo artist and the voice behind Neon Ion, first worked together on a commission for the festival, and kept going. "The song is a heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and personal growth," explains singer Sandtorv. "The song's lyrics delve into the complexities of relationships, capturing the bittersweet emotions that come with both closeness and separation." It’s a song with layers, made for summer, effortlessly carrying you away down stream from the first casual listening to suddenly finding yourself dancing where you stand. You can listen here.

📸 Anne Valeur (main image)

Live

🍁 Kloss Major have released a new single ahead of the launch of their album Naturen and tour which will take in Trondheim, Kongsberg, Kristiansand, Stavanger, Bergen, Songdal and Oslo. Tickets.

⭐️ Mercury and Brit nominee Tom McCrae is heading back to Norway on tour in October with dates in Oslo, Bergen, Haugesund, Kamar and Bodø.

Festivals

🍓Dagny joins the line up for Northern Norway’s largest music festival Rakettnatt on Friday.

🎵 Festivalenstua has revealed its line up of intimate gigs happening in October including the likes of Vaarin. The full programme is here.

🎶 Sigrid and her band ended their summer break in style at Bakgaarden in Harstad.

On Screen

📺 Hit LA soap The Bold and the Beautiful has reportedly signed up Icelandic band Kaleo’s lead singer Jökull Júliusson to appear on the show, and include a performance of the band’s hit song Way Down We Go.

🎦 Loving this stripped back version of Skaar and Dagny for their collaboration on Something Like This.

📱Calum Jones captured his most recent road trip to Norway last week in video.

💻 Vier Live: Indie /alternative pop music trio After Berlin are live streaming from Paris on September 5. Supported by visual artist Stephane Line.

🎬 EIFF: Today - Premier of Armund.

Industry Events

🎵 The countdown has begun for Scotland hosting the prestigious Nordic Music Days contemporary classical festival outside the Nordic region for what will be only the third time in its long history. Glasgow will host musicians from Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland for 12 days from October 30, and preceded by the soundfestival in Aberdeen and the North East from October 22. A taste of the programme is available here. It features details of live music, installations, talks and screenings celebrating new music and sound from across the Nordics and Scotland, delving into contemporary society and cultural connections as we build long-lasting and sustainable partnerships for the future.

📍Congratulations to Stian Tangerud who has been appointed new general manager for the prestigious Spellemann organisation and awards.

Travel

🏨 Strawberry Hotels are currently promoting 25% off stays in the Faroe Islands on bookings made by September 3.

That’s all for today but if you have anything going on like above, drop us a line: goodstuffstudio@pm.me or DM us on IG.

🎶 Starting off with news from Norwegian house DJ, songwriter and record producer Kygo who will release his long awaited and first self titled album Kygo this coming Friday. A former student at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh who cites Avicii among his inspirations, he has worked with the likes of Ed Sheeran, and made music and digital history by becoming the first artist to reach a billion streams on Spotify faster than any other artists. His new album is a two year long creative piece of work and has also resulted in collaborations with Ålesund’s own Sigrid, for The Feeling which will be released in just a few weeks time. They also headline the bill at Utopia Festival in Stavanger in August. Kygo’s world tour with UK and Ireland dates included also kicks-off in September.

🔉 A summer banger too from hit making DJ and producer Matoma who has team-up with singer Skaar to release ‘You Found Me’ just in time for the summer season and his tour dates. It’s the first track to be written and produced in Tom’s own studio in Oslo. Click the link below to see the recording in progress. Skaar and her band are also touring now.

😎 Keeping the summer vibe going and Bergan artist Hedda Mae released her brand new single Blow A Kiss on Friday. She wrote the song in collaboration with Benjamin Giørtz, who also produced. It’s as bubble gum pop as you can possibly chew.

🎵 Oslo based songwriter and producer MaVe is back with a new track and shift in sound with the dance based floor thumper Extraordinary. Of her new era, she said: "I wanted to create a danceable track as an opposite of the emotional and minimalistic productions I sometimes tend to lean into. I hope it can inspire people to get rid of negative impacts in their lives."

💙 Aurora’s latest album What Happened To The Heart came out on June 7. She added an Edinburgh date to her European tour, and has just released details of a London gig happening next year.

👗 Dagny’s second album ELLE is out now complete with interview in magazine Elle Norge and this 10 question video below.

🕊 An exquisite set of cover versions from Siv Jakobsen includes tracks from Fife’s own King Creosote and Jon Hopkins track Bats in the Attic and this beautiful interpretation of The Cure’s Just Like Heaven. The full EP, bird’s-eye view, is available here.

📺 Another creation with a Norwegian-Scottish link will see Mohan Evans streaming Oslo based platform with Vier.Live on Thursday with a Q&A session and after party room as part of a live fundraising event towards his next EP. He’s included an insight into the cost of making and promoting new music here. If you are new to his tracks then a real treat is in store with his music rich in depth, storytelling and soul.

💻 Vier.Live also has Sol Strøm streaming live showcasing her new EP Overflow which includes tracks Another Hopeless Thing, Ocean, Hell Of It, How To Stay In This and Should Have Been. Find all Vier.Live’s upcoming shows here.

🎹 After her As Long As You’re Here remix was featured by the international hit Netflix show Young Royals, artist and producer Moyka has been working on her new live show which hits the road next month, fresh from her weekend appearance at Berganfest. Dates in the link below.

🐚 The debut EP from Rine is out on Friday. You can pre-save Sound Of A Seashell are at this link.

🧅 Oslo based Tulle has released a debut new EP - Onions - described as being a record that ‘explores what it feels like to peel back layers, revisit the past and grieve each memory, before letting it go.’ The first track, Eulogy, was written four years aho when she suffered grief and heartbreak. It is joined by an angry, grungy, beat-heavy sound from You're Scaring Me which she says signifies both an end and a beginning to the project. "The song describes watching someone's descent into madness and being unable to help them, knowing that you have to pull away before they take you down with them," said TULLE. "After someone has pushed your boundaries time and time again, is it finally time to cut them off?"

🌹KlossMajor have revealed Naturen, their third album, is on the way this autumn along with details of a tour starting in Norway.

🎧 Also just released is What I Know Now from Maih which she describes as a coming of age track. It’s also the first from her forthcoming debut EP.

💼 The Norwegian Embassy in London is hiring for an adviser on arts and culture, initially for a year starting this coming August. Details at its website. Deadline for applications is June 26.

🇳🇴 Takk for at du leser! Made In Norway av Good Stuff In Between promoterer norsk musikk til publikum i Skottland og utover. For å presentere artister, ta del i podcaster eller legg til e-postlister, send e-post til goodstuffstudio@pm.me

💻 Producer Archie Holmes, resident DJ at Fly Club, will be doing an extra special event for Norwegian-based streaming platform VIERLIVE tomorrow. He is scheduled to broadcast live from Blackford Hill in Edinburgh at sunset ahead of launching his new EP from 7pm.

🚔 VIERLIVE also have London-based Norwegian NORA, back with a fresh new single about a broken relationship, Criminal, streaming on June 9.

☁️ Cloud 9, the new EP from Oslo based Nova Kapelrud, aka Nva, comes out on Friday. Here’s our spotlight piece to get you in the mood.

🥂 She’s also playing a live show on the rooftop at The Thief - Oslo’s uber trendy and sumptious hotel - on Wednesday.

🇧🇷 🇦🇷 🇨🇱 Sigrid has been tearing it up across South America with her tour seeing her being mobbed at airports and in the street, and some of the most energy packed audiences the Ålesund all-star has played to date. Take a look at these.

🎈Legendary artist Ane Brun has released a new version of her classic tune Balloon Ranger ahead of a live album dropping on May 31, recorded last year at Sentrum Scene in Oslo.

🎵 New music too from the excellent Sol Strøm who has just release her brilliant new EP Overflow. She’ll also be ding a live stream, so mark your diaries for June 20. Details of digital passes available here.

📸 Photo credit: Magnus Jovik

🇳🇴 Takk for at du leser! Made In Norway av Good Stuff In Between promoterer norsk musikk til publikum i Skottland og utover. For å presentere artister, ta del i podcaster eller legg til e-postlister, send e-post til goodstuffstudio@pm.me

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💛 Aurora has added a Scottish date to her forthcoming ‘What Happened to the Earth?: Part 1’ tour, as well as Dublin. Shows in London, Manchester, Paris and Amsterdam have already sold out. Fans signed up to her newsletter had access to the pre-sale by pre-ordering the new album yesterday. General sale for the Usher Hall show open this Friday. 📷: Wanda Martin

🎵 Skaar has also announced a raft of summer gigs and festival appearances but so far no Scotland or UK dates. Stay tuned …..

🎬 Ditto for Moyka who is back on the road with dates across Norway and Europe.

🛫 After weeks making new music Sigrid embarks on her first tour of Latin America with her Brazil date already sold out. Will she tease any new tracks? A clutch of Norwegian gigs mark her return home from July.

🍓 Dagny is gearing up for her summer tour too, with UK dates so far on the Isle of Wight and at Pride Cymru.

🤘🏻 Seigmen one of Norway’s biggest, are back with their first album in almost a decade called Resonans. Website AllThingsLiveNorway have a list of where they will be touring.

💭 Hot Fever Dream is the new tune out from Astrid S , the precursor to her second studio album ‘Joyride’ due for release on May 24.

🌼 Great music out already from Døssi in the shape of her latest single ‘alt da, igjen og igjen’ (Everything then, again and again).

🎥 One of the best ways to see and discover new Norwegian music is tuning into Vier Live. Check out this performance from Tulle.

📺 And Bergan’s Hedda Mae is back with ‘La di frickin da’. You’re welcome.

🇳🇴 Takk for at du leser! Made In Norway av Good Stuff In Between promoterer norsk musikk til publikum i Skottland og utover. For å presentere artister, ta del i podcaster eller legg til e-postlister, send e-post til goodstuffstudio@pm.me

"It's about holding back from taking off from the ground because it’s scary to feel all the big emotions," explains Nva of her latest single ‘It’s Just You’.

"It's also a song where I express and realise that the person of interest deserves the best,” she explains, “Love - as scary as it may be to venture into - must want the best for the other to be true love.

“Here, I'm working on my fears for the sake of the other, as a counterpoint to the common attitude of 'because I deserve love'. It's an R&B-inspired song where Flatmate and I explore exactly this vulnerability and viewpoint."

The song, produced by Kristian Moen Vik aka Flatmate (Hillari, Sofiloud), is where pop come to meets R&B.

After five years in LA, where she among other things worked with Romeo Johnson (Stevie Wonder, Dr.Dre) and Ben O'Neill (Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Red Hot Chili Peppers), she returned to Norway and kickstarted her career in 2017, when she also signed her first record deal.

Since then she has had several successful releases, spanning from Colorful, which she co-wrote with Hanne Mjøen, Why Did You, which was featured on huge Spotify playlists Hits Don't Lie and New Pop, and Had Enough and Savage.

Two years since releasing Hearts Are Made For Breaking, she returned last year with What I Want about being at a crossroads in a relationship.

Last month she released the first single Sorry, Sorry and now It’s Just You.

Both are taken from her forthcoming debut EP Cloud 9 on 31 May. Pre-save it at this link now.

🇳🇴 Takk for at du leser! Made In Norway av Good Stuff In Between promoterer norsk musikk til publikum i Skottland og utover. For å presentere artister, ta del i podcaster eller legg til e-postlister, send e-post til goodstuffstudio@pm.me

It’s been quite a year for Oslo-based songwriter and producer Live Sollid, aka Mörmaid, already. It’s about to go up a notch again with the release of a powerful debut album - Pearlescent Dark - on 23 May.

There are many reasons to be cheerful about this, not least as it gives me an excuse to share this video which must surely rank high up there as among the most off the wall, ever. (Kudos to directors KAKSI / Alam Ali and Anna Katrin Karlsson).

Wet Summer, like two other tracks Manicfest and I’m Trying have helped to put the Norwegian on the radar for the likes of Spotify, Popjustice and New Music Friday. There is something both fresh and edgy about the sound.

The promo behind the new album describe it as being built from expansive influences and extremes: free jazz meets hyperpop, live electronics and sampling, field recordings and beat-driven club experimentation.

It has shades of pop, layers of clubbing and not small measure of electronic and funky constructs. It goes again and again and again.

Mörmaid puts it another way: "Big versus small spaces, chord and rhythm changes, vocal experimentation, different textures.”

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"Pearlescent Dark is an album about duality, ambivalence, doubt and fear. It spans from individual and relational experiences to more conceptual reflections," Mörmaid adds.

"I explore the themes in many ways, both in the music itself, the production, the lyrics and the artwork. For a long time I’ve been fascinated with art that is beautiful and captivating and at the same time has a distorted and disturbing quality. This is something I hope comes across throughout the album."

"I’ve tried not to be afraid of the eclectic, and to push my own boundaries and break out of my comfortable patterns as a composer. Making an album, writing it, producing it and mixing it by yourself takes an immense amount of time, patience and energy. I’ve seen the face of frustration many times along the way, and fittingly enough, I’ve had lots of doubts.

"A mixing teacher I had many years ago once told me that you have to learn to be happy with 95%, because you’ll never reach 100%.

“Perfectionism and uncertainty can be a troublesome cocktail, and to break through it is a skill I’m still learning, but his words have definitely helped me through the years of becoming a better producer and mixer.

“At some point, it’s time to let go and let the music live. And then you can keep growing. I’m genuinely proud of having made this album, and of everything I’ve learned in the process.”

A former jazz student, Mörmaid is now the third signing to Metronomy drummer Anna Prior's Beat Palace Records label. Pearlescent Dark is out 23 May on Beat Palace Records.

Image Credit: Tekla Lou Fure Brandsæter

🇳🇴 Takk for at du leser! New Nordic av Good Stuff In Between promoterer norsk musikk til publikum i Skottland og utover. For å presentere artister, ta del i podcaster eller legg til e-postlister, send e-post til goodstuffstudio@pm.me

The first time I saw Skaar perform live was in Oslo. She, with another Norwegian act in Metteson, were both supporting Sigrid for the launch of her chart topping How To Let Go album at the 10,300 capacity Oslo Spektrum Arena.

All flowing robes and a big sound, she and her band filled the stage with a presence in a way that oozed not just class, but belonging. There were bops, there was dancing, the lyrics were thought provoking, and the crowd lapped it up.

By the time star of the show Sigrid came on, there was never any doubt that this was going to be one night remember. For a first trip to Norway, there simply couldn’t have been a better show with three class acts.

Recovering the next day and scrolling online, it turned out Skaar would be playing at The Hug and Pint bar in Glasgow just a few days later. Tickets booked, no hesitations.

That gig turned out to be a much cosier affair, but with a performance and effort every bit as committed as Oslo. A glimpse into music making without the usual distraction, a rare and close-up treat for those lucky enough to have been there.

There followed a year in which songs such as Imposter Syndrome and more delivered a host of singles, touring, special performances including a return to Glasgow at Stereo, this time with a larger crowd won over by her unique sound. More followed.

A debut album in the exquisitely delivered ‘Mad Woman’ that first pounds its way into the subconscious as you would bang down a door, before leading it by the hand towards a better, more confident place to reflect.

It is bold, it is delicate, it is raw, and it announces the arrival of a songwriter for the ages.

A new EP with collaborations around the title track will see another new chapter opening up, as one of Norway’s most exciting home grown exports is properly showcased to the world.

To say it’s been a journey for Skaar may be an understatement, one finally recognised by her peers after she won Spellemannprisen Songwriter of the Year - the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammys or Oscars.

A personal triumph, perhaps. A creative triumph - absolutely. But for someone who delivering such an abundance of high quality songs for so long though, the most exciting part might just be what happens next.

You can find a full list of Spellemannprisen winners at the official website here.

🎪 The line up for Slottsfjell in July has been announced.

🍿 Dagny releases her new single Strawberry Dream on Friday, the first single from her forthcoming new album.

🚆 I Hate You In The Morning is the new banger out from Norwegian producer Otha.

🎵The Room is Hannah Storm’s newest release, out on Friday.

🪁 Highasakite join Picnic in the Park with a set to mark ten years of Silent Treatment in June.

🎵 Margaret Berger releases Karma on Friday. Pre saves available now.

⛰ Tickets for Ålesund Live featuring Ane Brun, Arif, Magnus Grønneberg, Oslo Ess, Witch Club Satan and a DJ set from Röysopp in May go on sale this Friday.

☀️ The Great Escape Festival will also include Bergen’s own Bo Milli in Brighton next month - definately one to catch if you can.

🇳🇴 Takk for reading! New Nordicby Good Stuff In Between promotes Norwegian music to audiences in Scotland and beyond. To feature artists, take part in podcasts or add to mailing lists, email goodstuffstudio@pm.me

☁️ What’s this? New music from Astrid S (Astrid Smeplass) you say? She has just teased what she says is one of her favourite songs ‘Oh Emma’. It drops on Friday and has already sparked a wave of excited comments from fans.

✟ Death Pop is a new phrase to me, I’m not going to lie. It is described as being a morbid curiosity, exploring themes of loss, grief, suffering and rebirth, asking big questions; what happens after death, and what do we become after grief?

Yet having listened to a preview stream of ‘Can’t Be Saved’, the first single from Oslo-based artist and songwriter TULLE’s debut EP, there is no doubt that Death Pop is a thing. It is disarming in its pop charm, but the lyrics are relentless in the questions that they provoke.

She laid a marker back in 2022 with her first single ‘Dead Dead Dead’. Yup, death pop. 2023 saw a series of singles including ‘Godforsaken City’, ‘I Hope Your Demons Look Like Me’ and ‘Skeletons’.

Written by TULLE and Jens Wik, who also produced, and mixed and mastered by Truls Andersen, the new single is out on April 12.

"It's a melancholy song about questioning yourself and your faith, when everything around you is telling you that you're not all the things you thought you were," says TULLE, adding: "I'm exploring grief and acceptance, while being in a state of defeat.”

🎤 Dagny (Dagny Norvoll Sandvik) who kicks off her tour tonight fresh from sharing this promo for what looks to be new music. Worth noting the date 12.04.2024 also happens to be the night she performs at The Academy in Dublin.

💙 Aurora has announced the official date for releasing her album ‘What Happened to the Heart’ as June 7. With two singles out already in Your Blood and Some Type of Skin, a European tour will follow in September and October. In the meantime she has followed Sigrid in becoming host for the excellent BBC Radio podcast Tearjerker which is streaming all episodes now.

🔴 You Need Me Now, the latest single from Girl In Red featuring Sabrina Carpenter is out now. Tickets are still also on sale for a second gig at the Barrowlands in Glasgow this coming August.

🎬 L.U:N.A (Mia Roussel) who I featured last week has now released a video for her latest single ‘Slepp meg inn’ (Let Me In) from her new EP Only Me Again.

👑 After hit Netflix show Young Royals sparked a wave of intense new interest in the brilliant Moyka thanks to several of her songs being used in the official soundtrack, she recorded this video by way of introduction to her world of music including latest album Movies, Cars & Heartbreak. No show spoilers though please, just three episodes to get through before the finale.

🎧 If you think anyone should make the next 50 tracks to be added to our official playlist, tag us on Instagram.

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🇳🇴 Ring norske artister og promotører, gi oss beskjed om din nye musikk ved å sende en e-post til goodstuffstudio@pm.me

Welcome to Volume 6 of New Nordic where we focus on the vibrant Norwegian music scene.

Norwegian-French artist L.U:N.A (Mia Roussel) releases her first EP in four years, Only Me Again, this Friday following on from recent langt avstad (Far Away) and rundt blokken min (Around My Block) feat. Mo Ayn.

The six tracks including an opening track Do you see the light now? - which L.U:N.A describes as "absolutely insane".

Born in Chamonix and raised in Bergen she burst onto the Norwegian scene as 20 year old combining Norwegian and French languages in a unique and innovative mix with her debut debut EP Mon Anomi.

Her new EP is being billed as a ‘playful, complex and urban soundscape’, while  to the first listen is also more serious island reflective in tone, done in collaboration with her older brother Leo Roussel. She explains:

"This project represents for me a chapter of mine that I went through about two years ago. I was surrounded by bad people who gave me bad experiences. I was tired of the small town I had lived in for 14 years. Tired of everyone the rumours that spread around me. I longed for something new, so I decided to move. 

“There's a lot of emotion in this EP, more than I remembered. It's about a girl who has a lot of anger, regret and sadness inside. It's a girl who is quite lost and looking forward to finding herself again.”

• Only Me Again is released on Petroleum Records on Friday.

🔴 Since graduating from the prestigious Norwegian music school LIMPI, rising pop star MAIH has been cementing her growing reputation as a songwriter to watch.

Hailing from Dale on the west coast of Norway, she graduated in 2022 after first being mentored by industry giants such as Emily Warren and Stargate. She signed her first record deal straight after.

Following her releases The Movie Of Us, You Don't Know Me Anymore, Mon Plaisir and Lover last year, he next single Red Sleeves, out on 5 April. Her debut EP is also set to drop this year.

Described as a tale of heartbreak and recovery with a sense of euphoria, it looks to connect with defiant broken hearts everywhere with an enjoyably blunt takedown of the dreaded "it's not you, it's me" line.

Deep bass and a chorus exploding in a joy of melody and colourful blasts of synth is how she describes the new work, adding:

"Red Sleeves is a song about choosing yourself and never bending to fit someone else's expectations of you ever again. It's made to be danced to in your room, screamed to in your car and to hype you up while getting ready for your day."

• Red Sleeves is out 5 April.

❤️ And then there were three. Fresh from the success of her recent work with Emilie Nicolas on the title track of her debut album Mad Woman, Skaar is back with not one but two new collaborations.

She has teamed up with How Is Your Soul? artist HILLARI on a rework of the crowd pleasing Follow Your Heart, and Kerstin Ljungström for a Norwegian language version of the powerful Obscene. The new tracks are released this coming Friday.

🎸Astrid S talks about her forthcoming new album, songwriting in Nashville and building a career in the spotlight in this long read with NRKp3.

🧢 Five times Spellemannprisen winner Halvdan Siversten has just unveiled a new tour stretching into next year. With concerts right across Norway, tickets went on general release last Friday.

🎵 And in case you missed it, Good Stuff In Between have announced our first 50 songs making it onto the official Made In Norway Spotify playlist. Are any of your favourites on there? Click here to listen.

🇳🇴 If you represent a Norwegian artist for Made in Norway, email goodstuffstudio@pm.me

Includes: Sigrid, Skaar, Aurora, Girl In Red, Moyka, Tuvaband, Metteson, Anna of the North, Dagny, Astrid S, Døssi, Søl Strom, Northing Personal, RebMoe, Tamara, Sandra Kolstad, Pom Poko, The Engegård Quartet, Aron Dahl, Maud, Kaizers Orchestra, Kjarten Lauritzen, Delara, Kvelertak, Undergrunn, Aden Foyer, Emma Steinbakken, Hillari, Rambow, Iris, Katarina Barruk, Maih, Darling West, Oda Felicia, Nva, Amalie Holt Kleive, Emelie Nicolas, Julie Bergan, Victoria Nadine, Alessandra, Askjell, Emelie Hollow, Bo Milli, Highasakite, Michelle Ullestad, Anna Soleil, Mörmaid, Bby Ivy

▶️ Tonight’s the night for fans of Aurora to tune into the video premiere for her latest release ‘Some Type of Skin’ which she has been teasing with lyric drops on social media in recent weeks. The film, directed by Kaveh Nabatian, will be screened on YouTube at 18:45.

🛌 New music too from RebMoe who after humbly releasing her new track Bedroom soon found herself making headlines in the respected Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten. The 2min15sec long pop bop has already been streamed more than 30,000 times in just five days.

🌊Sol Strøm is following up her February release Ocean with a new track this Friday called ‘Should Have Been’, with pre-saves available at this link.

📔 Indie trio Nothing Personal are using their appearance at Parktearet on March 24 to release their new album ‘The Diary of Nothing Personal’ into the world on Oslo based Braveheart Records. Featuring Dorothea Økland, Thea Wang and Solveig Wang the new sounds have alreayd been described as “overflowing” with creativity.

🎤 Gospel singer turned electropop performer Gabrielle (Gabrielle Leithaug) drops the first single from her forthcoming album this Friday. Operahuset is available for pre-save at this link.

🎪 A huge deal for artist Tamara who is now confirmed as part of the massive Roskilde Festival on July 1. She will join around 170 acts over eight days for the event that attracts some 130,000 festival goers.

🔴 A collaboration coming too between Girl In Red and Sabrina Carpenter for a new track ‘You Need Me Now’ coming this Friday. The April edition of Dork magazine has all the details in an interview out now.

A great read here about Moyka in Atwood Magazine on her latest album Movies, Cars and Heartbreak and also fresh from her track As Long As You’re Here also being used in the hit Netflix series Young Royals.

🎸 Can’t wait for Paolo Nutini’s end of year gigs in Glasgow? Then rejoice in news that he will be playing a date at Oslo’s excellent Sentrum Scene on Wednesday 12 June.

⭐️ Meanwhile voting is almost over for the Norwegian song of the year, with the Spellemann vote closing tomorrow.

📧 Hvis du har en norsk artist å promotere e-post goodstuffstudio@pm.me

Welcome to New Nordic: Volume 4 where I bring you updates about some of the brilliant music happening right now in the Norwegian and Scandi scene.

Take a look too at my new In The Spotlight feature which will be taking a closer look at artists and bands from the region. Our first artist highlight comes from Maud.

Takk! Shaun

New music out at midnight tonight from Døssi (Ingrid Døssland) with the release of her latest single forsvant (Disappeared). She describes it as being “… a song about feelings, over thinking and being widowed by the time we had and which is now past.”

Astrid S (Astrid Smeplass) and Moray musician Calum Jones have been announced for this year’s Skalldyrfestivalen in Mandal from Thursday 8 to Sunday 9 August, where around 60,000 people expected to visit across this year’s event. Astrid has just released a new single, First To Go, available now.

Girl in Red (Marie Ulven Ringheim) has added a date at Glasgow Barrowland on Wednesday 28 August to her European tour with tickets for the public sale going live on Friday. Pre-sales are already live.

Sandra Kolstad will release her long awaited new album Soft Hard on Friday but with a twist for those who have grown fond of her electronic creations, as she goes full circle with a return to piano. Produced in collaboration with Yngve Sætre, Kongsberg singer Hanne Hukkelberg, the Danish pop artist Asbjørn Terkelsen, and Erlend Mokkelbost, it is released on Nordic Records and includes the previously released tracks Unlearning and Things.

Oslo-based post punk outfit Pom Poko will be playing at The Caves in Edinburgh next month when they support Personal Trainer on Sunday 21 April. Tickets available here.

The Engegård Quartet from Lofoten will be playing a series of classical concerts on tour from this month, including stops at Mellerstain House near Kelso in the Borders on Thursday 18 April and Nairn on Saturday 20 April. The ensemble are touring with six dates in the UK, and BBC Radio 3’s Lunchtime Concert on Friday 26 April.

Oslo songwriter Aron Dahl is returning with a collection of songs diving deeper into themes of sexuality, suffering and healing, with the first single ‘Lock & Key’ out on Friday 15 March. His debut album, Loosening Orion's Belt, released under the name Danielle Dahl, earned an award from The Danish Arts Council as Most Innovative Album of the Year. The new single is available as a pre-save now.

Kaizers Orchestra will play Malakoff Rock Festival alongside Aurora and The War On Drugs. It takes place on 19 and 20 July.

Norwegian favourite Jan Eggum has also been added to the line up for this year’s Berganfest. The 72 year old will open Saturday’s event, playing from a back catalogue stretching all the way to 1975.

And if circular fashion is your thing, check out this year’s Tise Awards finalists including Sigrid, Anna of the North and Amanda Delara among others.

Hat det!

🇳🇴 Spotlight

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The junction between winter and spring couldn’t be a more perfect time for delivering some broodingly brilliant hyper pop to burst the blues and propel us forward towards longer days again.

Anyone who encountered Maud’s eponymous album back in 2021 or the rollercoaster of her follow-up EP In My Haven and subsequent singles, will be familiar with the cool club meets Ibiza bar vibe that drew comparisons with Charlie XCX and Caroline Polachek.

But while her new release The Love That Remains may lean more towards the Sia in its breathlessness, to go down the avenue of comparisons may add context for the uninitiated, but frankly doesn’t serve justice to Maud’s creative individuality.

It oscillates between ambient sounds and hip swinging beats, like moods, which is the craft behind an album that she described herself as being a "a capsule of longing, melancholia, nostalgia, transformation and self-love".

The album was written, recorded, produced and mixed entirely by Maud (Kristine Hoff) and places emphasis on the feeling of being heartbroken, isolated and abandoned on tracks "Stranger", "Wherever I Go and "Forever", but also a new chapter of empowerment, growth, healing and self-love "Let Me Feel It", "Can’t You See Me", "Remind Me", "Still Alive", "Back To Myself".

Speaking for the launch, she said: "It would be incredible if the album could help the listener to find a way back to themselves after a heartbreak or a difficult period – like it has helped me. It would also be a dream if the album could be some kind of eternal capsule in the metaverse for anyone to dive into whenever they needed. Hopefully the love that remains will exist forever."

"The album title takes its inspiration from the Portuguese term saudade which means a form of melancholic longing for something or someone you used to care about.

"While creating this album I’ve healed from the grief of a heartbreak, and learned how to truly validate my own feelings and take care of myself.

“To me, the album represents both grief, growth and empowerment, as well as gratefulness for all the people I’ve met so far in my life and all the moments and memories this has given me. Although some people might not stay in your life forever, I really do believe that their presence shapes or affects you at some level. I don’t think I would be the same person today if I didn’t meet the people that taught me how to love."

"Love has so many various, complex and contradicting emotions, but it’s impossible to avoid it because it’s literally everywhere," says the Norwegian. "It’s a part of being human. We give, and we take, and we learn. Continuously."

Having released her self-titled debut album in 2021 and the In My Haven EP in 2022, Maud has spent the time since then writing and releasing new music and also remixing other artists including fellow Norwegian producer Mörmaid.

She was also the recipient of the Arctic Talent award, Northern Norway's largest music scholarship grant and 2023 saw her release "Remind Me", "Stranger", "Can't You See Me" and "Let Me Feel It".

"It gives me a lot of flexibility and freedom; it can be quite challenging to be in charge of all these different processes, but to me they also go hand in hand,” said Maud on writing, recording, producing and mixing the album entirely on her own.

“This doesn't mean, of course, that I completely avoid collaborations, because having sessions with others can be fulfilling as well. I just think I like to dive into my own head and isolate myself from others, when I’m creating music as Maud.

“I feel like that’s when I write the most authentic and honest songs."

The Love That Remains, out now on Maud Records

Welcome to New Nordic: Volume 3 where I bring you updates about some of the brilliant music happening right now in the Norwegian and Scandi scene.

If you are new to Nordic artists, then check out Volume 1 and Volume 2 to get a flavour of what is in store.

Takk! Shaun

🙋🏼‍♀️ International Women’s Day takes place on Friday and so Stord’s finest Skaar (Hilde Skaar) is marking the date by releasing a new version of Mad Woman, the title track from her debut album for which she earned a prestigious Spellemannprisen award nomination for Release of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. She has teamed up with Norwegian legend Emilie Nicolas - who previously collaborated with Björk in 2022 on Allow - for the new working which comes out for the day this Friday.

🟥 Girl In Red (Marie Ulven Ringheim) follows up news of a tour and new album with the release of the title track ‘Doing It Again Baby’ tomorrow (Thursday March 7) and teasing fans that the artwork may feature in a future exhibition.

UPDATE. Girl In Red have just announced a concert at Glasgow

🏆 Perhaps the biggest night in Norwegian music - Spellemannprisen (The Spellemen Awards) will take place on Thursday April 4, but won’t include any artists from the Universal Music label after they announced a boycott owing to their ongoing row with one of the events main sponsors, Tik Tok.

🗞You can read more about it at Nettavisen, which was Norway’s first ever online newspaper.

Nonetheless, the event remains a massive and prestigious night for all those who have been shortlisted for what is Norway’s equivalent to the BRIT Awards or US Grammy.

The list of nominees can be viewed in full here and includes:

💿 Release of the Year: Undergrunn, SKAAR, Kvelertak and Delara

💿 Songwriter of the Year: Michelle Ullestad, Kristoffer Cezinando Karlsen, Lars Vaular and Hilde Skaar

💿 Song of the Year: Alessandra, Bausa, DJ MØMØ ft. Kjartan Lauritzen, Emma Steinbakken, Kudos & Golf Club and Undergrunn

💿 Producer: Asjell, Fay Wildhagen, Morten Gillebo and Vetle Junker

💿 Music Video: Arif x Karpe, Gouldian Finch, Lars Vaular and Rambow

💿 International Artist: Girl in Red, Caroline Ailin, Erik Smaaland, Kristine Tjøgersen, Lise Davidsen and Marius Neset

💿 Pop: Dagny, Aden Foyer, Cezinando and Delara.

💿 Electronic: NIILAS, Jouska, FAKETHIAS and Lindstrøm

💿 Rock: Skin Cancer, Bride of Christ, Arrow & Bow and Sparrow

💿 Metal: Dwaal, Incultter, RUÏM and Tsjuder

💿 Country: Krissy Mary, Norma, Ole Kirkeng and Sweetheart

💿 Classic: Amalie Stalheim / Christian Ihle Hadland, Engegård Quartet, Kåre Nordstoga and Sir Mark Elder, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Roderick Williams, Claudia Huckle, Gemma Summerfield, Brother Magnus Tødenes, Bergen Philarmonic Choir, Edvard Grieg Choir, Collegium Musicum Choir

💿 Show: Ingebjørg Bratland and Odd Nordstoga, Ingrid Olava, Julie Henrikke and Stein Torleif Bjella

💿 Contemporary: The Norwegian Soloist Choir / Ensemble Allegria / Grete Pedersen, Lemur, Maja S. K. Ratkje & Nordic Affect and Sara Övinge / Edward Gardner / The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra

💿 Alternative Pop/Rock: Ea Othilde, Oda Felicia, Signe Marie Rustad and Tuvaband

💿 Children’s Music: Fantorangen, Mikrokosmos, SaraLy and Unge Oslo and Trygve Kongshavn

💿 Blues: Marius Lien, Women in Blues, Spoonful of Blues and Joakim Tinderholt and His Band

💿 RNB/Soul: Beharie, GiddyGang & Vuyo, Hillari and Isah

💿 Trad: Kim Rysstad / Tord Gustavsen / Arve Henriksen, Sidiki Camara, Sigrid Moldestad and Synnøve Brøndbo Plassen

💿 Hip Hop: B-Boy Myhre, Arif, Rambow and Undergrunn

💿 Open Class: Lilja, Erland Dahlen, Nils Økland / Sigbjørn Apeland and 9 Grader Nord

💿 Jazz: Anja Lauvdal, Bendik Giske, Malstrøm and Harald Lassen

💿 Author: Kristoffer Cezinando Karlsen, Amanda Delara Nikman, Ingrid Olava Brænd Eriksen and Stein Torleif Bjella

💿 Composer: Stian Westerhus, Anne Hytta, Åsmund Feidje and Edvin Østergaard

💿 Party: Bausa, Carina Dahl, Golf Club and Hagle

💿 Breakthrough of the Year: Rambow, Hillari, Emma Steinbakken, Bausa, Alessandra and Aden Foyer

⛪️ Trondheim’s summer festival Olavfest has unveiled its line-up of gigs taking place between Sunday July 28 and Saturday August 3. Chris Holsten and Emelie Hollow kick things off, followed by the likes of Angelique Kidjo, Beharie, Sigrid, Moyka, Katarina Barruk, Bigbang, Darling West and Oda Felicia. Tickets at their website.

🎟 Tickets are going fast for one of the highlights of the summer - Øyafestivalen - in Oslo from Thursday 8 to Monday 12 August, featuring acts including Brits winner Raye, Astrid S (Astrid Smeplass), Moyka (Monika Engeseth), Pulp, The National and Queens of the Stone Age to name a few. Worth noting that this festival was also rated Outstanding for its environmental credentials by the respected A Greener Future judging team.

✨Huge news for Amalie Holt Kleive who will be opening for Aurora every night of her Norwegian tour which begins tonight with three dates in Bergan followed by Trondheim, Stavanger and another triple date in Oslo.

🇲🇽 Ålesund star Sigrid meantime has added a mega gig in Mexico City to her forthcoming and first South American tour which will also take in other dates across May in Guadalajara, São Paulo, Buenos Aires and Santiago.

Which neatly sees us finish off today’s update with news that rock legends Journey will play Oslo Spektrum on Sunday June 9 as part of their 50th anniversary tour.

We can think of one Norwegian singer who might be just a little bit excited about that.

Norwegian artists and promoters, got something to tell us? Just use the Share Your News tab at the top of the page to get in touch. Takk.

Ha det!

Welcome to New Nordic: Volume 2 where I try and bring you news about some of the brilliant music happening in the Norwegian and Scandi scene.

If you missed it, New Nordic: Volume 1 can be found right here.

🚗 First up Tromsø singer songwriter Dagny (Dagny Norvoll Sandvik) takes part in a extended interview with, wait for it …. those cheeky chappies, Scots actor Martin Compston and TV host Phil MacHugh as part of a brilliant six-part travelogue, Martin Compston’s Norwegian Fling, now showing on BBC iPlayer. She goes into detail about her journey in music and takes them into the recording studio for a sneak listen to her latest tunes. Oh, and the show itself - a belter, well worth binging.

She’ll also be playing the O2 Academy Islington, London, on Wednesday, April 3

🥁 Norwegian rock royalty Kaizers Orchestra are lined up for their only UK gig of the year at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London. If you are unfamiliar with the band, they recently reformed after a 10 year break, causing a real sensation. Norwegian radio station NRK P3 voted Ompa til du dør their song of the decade, they have won a clutch of the prestigious Spellemanprisen awards.

🔴 Following on from last week’s news that Girl In Red (Marie Ulven Ringheim) is releasing her brand new album I’m Doing It Again Baby!, she has also unveiled her first major live gig in Norway for five years. She’ll be appearing at the brilliant Oslo Spektrum on Wednesday, October 3. See you there!

🥳 Stavernfestivalen have released their line-up of big name stars for this year’s festival south of Drammen which kicks-off on my birthday, Wednesday July 3 through to Saturday, July 6. It’s as if they knew! The all-star list includes Norwegian favourites Sigrid, Skaar, Erik og Kris, Victoria Nadine and more. Familiar names also include headliners Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Burna Boy and DJ Snake.

The video premier for Julie Bergan’s new single Kiss Me Better is happening over ion YouTube tomorrow (5pm, Thurs, February 29). The single came out on Friday as is already racking up close to 30,000 streams a day on Spotify alone.

Ha det!

In this section of the newsletter I will be bringing you some of the best music Norway has to offer, useful I hope for those who like me are already avid listeners, and as rich discoveries for those new to the scene.

her gå vi! (here we go!)

🔴 Girl in Red (Marie Ulven Ringheim) dropped the lead single from her forthcoming second album ‘I’m Doing It Again Baby’ on Friday, February 9. ‘Too Much’ is the precursor to a spring tour, with dates announced so far only for in North America. Release date for the album is Friday, April 12. Pre-saves for the single are live.

✨ Metteson has just released the first video from his debut album and title track ‘Look To A Star’ out on Friday. He co-produced and wrote all 13 tracks as well as directing the film. Thanking all those involved, he described his new releasee as being ‘a life long dream to do’. A tour includes dates in London and Manchester.

✌️Aurora (Aurora Aksnes) is preceding her Norwegian tour which kicks off net month with a special date at Lafayette in London on Monday, February 26, when she joins the likes of Keane, The Last Dinner Party and You and Me At Six for a War Child benefit gig. Tickets and prize draw are live at this link.

🎤 Fresh from the release of her brilliant new debut album Mad Woman, singer songwriter Skaar (Hilde Skaar) will be playing a mini gig and signing vinyl copies at the excellent Big Dipper record store in Oslo on Friday, February 24, while UK pre-sales are available at this link.

🇯🇵 Ålesund’s finest Sigrid (Sigrid Raabe) has been spending time over in Tokyo with friend, songwriter and producer Askjell (Askjell Solstrand) working on her third album. Sigrid played live in Tokyo and released a special Japan exclusive edition of How To Let Go last year, while management Made launched its social platforms.

Congratulations to Moyka (Monika Engeseth) on her brilliant new album Movies, Cars & Heart Break and on completing her first European tour. Here’s hoping for some UK dates to follow.

Tonight Norway’s 2023 Eurovision Song Contest favourite Alessandra (Alessandra Watle Mele) is performing in Glasgow tonight. The Queen of Kings singer will be at The Clyde Rooms after a venue switch to meet demand.

Ha det!