'Aren't we all lonely? Isn't that the biggest like depression of humanity?'
New Nordic: Brand new podcast from Sara Fjeldvær, music by O.Martin, MAIH, Hedda Mae and others, more, live dates for Døssi, Klossmajor, Skaar and a third Sigrid album?
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.
