NORTHERN PORTRAIT HAPPY NICE DAY SINGLE (Matinée Recordings)
Long time, no see! Denmark's Northern Portrait are back... almost 3 years later. Happy Nice Day is the first single of a 7'' called Pretty Decent Swimmers scheduled to be released on January, 2013 via Matinée.
'Happy Nice Day' follows the signature melodic lines from previous works of the band. But they mean it when they talk about/wish happy nice day, and the result is filled with depth, energy and a vibrant atmosphere.
Showing posts with label denmark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label denmark. Show all posts
death valley sleepers.interview #37
Tobias Winberg is Death Valley Sleepers. And Death Valley Sleepers is one of the most exciting acts making music in Denmark nowadays. He's been releasing music (some as free download) for a few years now and on the verge of releasing a new album, we had the chance to ask him a few questions.
The new album - which has no release date yet - also seems to be a new step (or direction, as Tobias says on the interview) in terms of sound for DVS: enough change to give a fresh feeling to it but still reminiscent of the rockish/shoegazy layered indiepop that got us all hooked into his songs, his mellow, whispery voice, guitar hooks and 60's influences.
The new versions of the debut album, can be found on his myspace (so far we can listen to three premix versions)... the sound is cleaner and brighter and there's a (great) addition of keyboards to some songs.
All we can do by now is wait until the album is released. Meanwhile, read my chat with Tobias: we talked about origins, free music, the new phase of his career and how a tv commercial got him more fans... between the questions, you can see two live performances at Drone Bar, in Copenhagen.
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| photo by Emil Ronn |
The new versions of the debut album, can be found on his myspace (so far we can listen to three premix versions)... the sound is cleaner and brighter and there's a (great) addition of keyboards to some songs.
All we can do by now is wait until the album is released. Meanwhile, read my chat with Tobias: we talked about origins, free music, the new phase of his career and how a tv commercial got him more fans... between the questions, you can see two live performances at Drone Bar, in Copenhagen.
cover me
The Boombox Hearts ~ Cover Me (single) (Our Little Sisters Records, 2011)
After the (awesome) Oliver North Choir Boy dissolved, Ivan and Mikkel started to make music under the name The Boombox Hearts alongside Kathrine, Steffen and Arne.
Now, they're about to release a new ep called Monte Carlo (out april 25th on Our Little Sisters Records, a sublabel of Pad and Pens Records) and 'Cover Me' - a cover from a Bruce Springsteen song - is the first glimpse of this new work. The song is a pretty and quite sad take on the Springsteen hit with a beautiful trombone solo (as mentioned on the press release).
Below, you can listen and download the track:
Also, a beautiful live performance for 'Extras, When You're Ready, Please'
facebook
blog
myspace
soundcloud
After the (awesome) Oliver North Choir Boy dissolved, Ivan and Mikkel started to make music under the name The Boombox Hearts alongside Kathrine, Steffen and Arne.Now, they're about to release a new ep called Monte Carlo (out april 25th on Our Little Sisters Records, a sublabel of Pad and Pens Records) and 'Cover Me' - a cover from a Bruce Springsteen song - is the first glimpse of this new work. The song is a pretty and quite sad take on the Springsteen hit with a beautiful trombone solo (as mentioned on the press release).
Below, you can listen and download the track:
Also, a beautiful live performance for 'Extras, When You're Ready, Please'
blog
myspace
soundcloud
moonstruck ep (preview)
Champagne Riot ~ Moonstruck EP (matinée recordings, 2011)
Casper and Anders are Champagne Riot, this electronic duo from Copenhagen, making electronic music that is, at least, addictive. They had our hearts pounding to their beats filled with longing and romance with 'Paris and I', their debut EP released by Shelflife Records in 2008.
At the end of 2009 came 'Champagne Anthem', described by me as the first love hymn of the second decade of the 2000's.
Now, they are preparing to release a new EP under Matinée Recordings called Moonstruck EP on February, 15th.
'Moonstruck' is the first single and was released as a sample track ... here's a description from Matinée release:
"‘Moonstruck’ begins the EP with a self-composed classical arrangement that gradually evolves into a massive electronic pop track full of arpeggio synths and layered drum machines plus a sweeping, radio friendly chorus. The song tells the tale of a night out in Gothenburg, Sweden and the resulting paradox of feeling perfect in the moment while realizing a late night crush will never survive the light of day".
(moonstruck)
You can already order the ep on Matinée's shop.
To get their debut from 2008 (Paris and I), go to Shelflife.
Last year we spoke with them. Go here to read the interview.
site
facebook
myspace
twitter
Casper and Anders are Champagne Riot, this electronic duo from Copenhagen, making electronic music that is, at least, addictive. They had our hearts pounding to their beats filled with longing and romance with 'Paris and I', their debut EP released by Shelflife Records in 2008.
At the end of 2009 came 'Champagne Anthem', described by me as the first love hymn of the second decade of the 2000's.Now, they are preparing to release a new EP under Matinée Recordings called Moonstruck EP on February, 15th.
'Moonstruck' is the first single and was released as a sample track ... here's a description from Matinée release:
"‘Moonstruck’ begins the EP with a self-composed classical arrangement that gradually evolves into a massive electronic pop track full of arpeggio synths and layered drum machines plus a sweeping, radio friendly chorus. The song tells the tale of a night out in Gothenburg, Sweden and the resulting paradox of feeling perfect in the moment while realizing a late night crush will never survive the light of day".
(moonstruck)
You can already order the ep on Matinée's shop.
To get their debut from 2008 (Paris and I), go to Shelflife.
Last year we spoke with them. Go here to read the interview.
site
myspace
champagne riot
champagne riot interview
champagne riot is back to the blog... now, with an interview!
they are a duo from copenhagen formed by caspar (that also plays on northern portrait) and anders making pop music that has the merit of translating in certain levels the strange – and meaningless – ways we're living our lives as a global society. It isn't the kind of music that throws the message into your face, it's their subtle approach on live (and love, of course) that brings this feelings into your mind when you listen to their music. they are incredibly successful when it comes to take life and put it in a song. Extremely up to date and modern.
at the end of the interview, you can get their latest release: a single called 'ingrid bergman', with vocals from the lead singer of northern portrait, stefan larsen. you'll be able to see the video too, somewhere along the interview.
so here it is, caspar answers the questions and let us know a bit more about their music and points of view about the perfect pop song.
01. how did you guys got together and where does the name of the project come from?
i was making music under the name champagne riot for a couple of years before we got together in the current form. after releasing the first ep on shelflife records i wanted to try something new and asked anders if he was interested in producing some of my new songs. the collaboration went really well and after a while it was only natural that he joined the project as a member.
the name comes from back when me and an old friend were doing songs and remixes some years ago. we called our work 'champagne riot' because that was the spirit in which the music was created. i adopted the name and used it for my later stuff. i've actually wanted to change it a million times - but just can't think of anything else to call the project. any suggestions?
02. caspar also plays bass on northern portrait, a band that has been causing a buzz on the blogosphere and most of our readers are probably familiar with. although i can sense a deep melancholy on both projects, champagne riot has a more uplifting approach to it. are you a proud melancholic? and how is it to be in very different projects?
personallly i have a weak spot for melancholic music. happy melodies tend to annoy me. however a song doesn't have to be sad just because it's melancholic. it can be a happy and confident song over a blue melody. i think those kinds of songs are probably the best songs in the world.
regarding the northern portrait connection it's just been really great to play in a guitar band for a change since i have spent most of my time making music on computers. although i would have loved to take credit for northern portrait's songwriting i have to be honest and say that i'm not involved in that process. i rehearse and play with the band and we've had some great experiences touring and playing in many different countries.
03. what are the influences that populates champagne riot's universe?
scandinavian pop tradition. creation records. eurodance. indie pop. a great song is a great song no matter where it comes from - we listen to different kinds of music.
04. creative processes now. what inspires you lyrically and melodically? describe pop perfection for you.
the whole mission of our project is to make a counter-attack on all the pointlessness and stupidity we are faced with every day. the stupidity in music, popular culture, values of the welfare culture etc. etc.
but the lyrics are not meant to be "direct" or "political" in any way - god forbid that, i'm extremely apathetic towards all that nonsense - but i guess that on some level they still deal with the frustration i feel about finding it hard to settle in anywhere. the melodies are aiming to be perfect. i don't think we have succeeded at that and we will ever succeed in finding "the perfect pop melody" but perfection is still the goal.
05. i've got to know you very recently (4-5 months or so), and the first song i've heard was 'champagne anthem' that i think is the best thing you've done so far and is an instant classic, a song that in 20 or 30 years will sound as contemporary as it does now. often i think about the impact this song may have on people for its brilliant description (almost chronicle) of a certain age. it couldn't have a better name because indeed sounds like an anthem. it has this 'song of a generation' feeling and it makes me think about the time when i was 16, 17 years old and started to replace - or better - rearrange my view of the world adding to the romanticism some reality. but still, the song holds some of the naivety peculiar of that age (that i believe never goes away). could you talk about the creation of the anthem?
as the lyrics go i actually did start writing it in my teens. at least some of it. then it ended up in a pile with other songs during my early twenties when i was too busy doing all the stupid things that the song is now about. and then one day i decided to finish it. it was all written very quickly. the first verse is about the past up until now and the second verse is about the present. after that we spent sometime producing it in the studio - but not as much time as on the other songs. it's without a doubt the quickest song we've done. it came quite natural i suppose.
06. what's next? songs, ep's, maybe an album on the making?
we'll see. we are currently looking for the right label to work with. once we've found that i hope we can get something out quickly. i think we would like to do a full length album. there's plenty of material.
07. do you get to live of music or have another job?
we make music full time. i think that's the only way to do it if you're serious. you have to suffer a bit to improve yourself as an artist i think. it's a cliche - but it's true. obviously we cannot make a living yet. so we need to beg and steal a bit to make it all work. it's quite miserable living like that. but at least it feels good to do the right thing. the money will have to follow sometime.
08. any song you'd like to cover?
november rain by guns and roses!! it's the best song ever to be presented in such a vulgar manner. try and listen to it without any prejudice and you will hear what i mean. i think we'll change the lyrics from "cold november rain" to "copenhagen rain". it could be a really great song i think.
09. name the perfect place and time to hear your music.
at sunset on a plane over the atlantic ocean halfway between new york and paris.
10. recommend something you've been listening lately.
i think emmy the great is one of the most talented songwriters of my own generation. only thing is no one knows her. the world is really unfair - or perhaps it just doesn't appreciate quality.
11. anything else you feel like saying?
nah.
download: ingrid bergman
(don't forget to check their new song 'heart stab' on their myspace!)
blog
myspace
champagne riot is back to the blog... now, with an interview!
they are a duo from copenhagen formed by caspar (that also plays on northern portrait) and anders making pop music that has the merit of translating in certain levels the strange – and meaningless – ways we're living our lives as a global society. It isn't the kind of music that throws the message into your face, it's their subtle approach on live (and love, of course) that brings this feelings into your mind when you listen to their music. they are incredibly successful when it comes to take life and put it in a song. Extremely up to date and modern.
at the end of the interview, you can get their latest release: a single called 'ingrid bergman', with vocals from the lead singer of northern portrait, stefan larsen. you'll be able to see the video too, somewhere along the interview.
01. how did you guys got together and where does the name of the project come from?
i was making music under the name champagne riot for a couple of years before we got together in the current form. after releasing the first ep on shelflife records i wanted to try something new and asked anders if he was interested in producing some of my new songs. the collaboration went really well and after a while it was only natural that he joined the project as a member.
the name comes from back when me and an old friend were doing songs and remixes some years ago. we called our work 'champagne riot' because that was the spirit in which the music was created. i adopted the name and used it for my later stuff. i've actually wanted to change it a million times - but just can't think of anything else to call the project. any suggestions?
02. caspar also plays bass on northern portrait, a band that has been causing a buzz on the blogosphere and most of our readers are probably familiar with. although i can sense a deep melancholy on both projects, champagne riot has a more uplifting approach to it. are you a proud melancholic? and how is it to be in very different projects?
personallly i have a weak spot for melancholic music. happy melodies tend to annoy me. however a song doesn't have to be sad just because it's melancholic. it can be a happy and confident song over a blue melody. i think those kinds of songs are probably the best songs in the world.
regarding the northern portrait connection it's just been really great to play in a guitar band for a change since i have spent most of my time making music on computers. although i would have loved to take credit for northern portrait's songwriting i have to be honest and say that i'm not involved in that process. i rehearse and play with the band and we've had some great experiences touring and playing in many different countries.
03. what are the influences that populates champagne riot's universe?
scandinavian pop tradition. creation records. eurodance. indie pop. a great song is a great song no matter where it comes from - we listen to different kinds of music.
04. creative processes now. what inspires you lyrically and melodically? describe pop perfection for you.
the whole mission of our project is to make a counter-attack on all the pointlessness and stupidity we are faced with every day. the stupidity in music, popular culture, values of the welfare culture etc. etc.
but the lyrics are not meant to be "direct" or "political" in any way - god forbid that, i'm extremely apathetic towards all that nonsense - but i guess that on some level they still deal with the frustration i feel about finding it hard to settle in anywhere. the melodies are aiming to be perfect. i don't think we have succeeded at that and we will ever succeed in finding "the perfect pop melody" but perfection is still the goal.
05. i've got to know you very recently (4-5 months or so), and the first song i've heard was 'champagne anthem' that i think is the best thing you've done so far and is an instant classic, a song that in 20 or 30 years will sound as contemporary as it does now. often i think about the impact this song may have on people for its brilliant description (almost chronicle) of a certain age. it couldn't have a better name because indeed sounds like an anthem. it has this 'song of a generation' feeling and it makes me think about the time when i was 16, 17 years old and started to replace - or better - rearrange my view of the world adding to the romanticism some reality. but still, the song holds some of the naivety peculiar of that age (that i believe never goes away). could you talk about the creation of the anthem?
as the lyrics go i actually did start writing it in my teens. at least some of it. then it ended up in a pile with other songs during my early twenties when i was too busy doing all the stupid things that the song is now about. and then one day i decided to finish it. it was all written very quickly. the first verse is about the past up until now and the second verse is about the present. after that we spent sometime producing it in the studio - but not as much time as on the other songs. it's without a doubt the quickest song we've done. it came quite natural i suppose.
06. what's next? songs, ep's, maybe an album on the making?
we'll see. we are currently looking for the right label to work with. once we've found that i hope we can get something out quickly. i think we would like to do a full length album. there's plenty of material.
07. do you get to live of music or have another job?
we make music full time. i think that's the only way to do it if you're serious. you have to suffer a bit to improve yourself as an artist i think. it's a cliche - but it's true. obviously we cannot make a living yet. so we need to beg and steal a bit to make it all work. it's quite miserable living like that. but at least it feels good to do the right thing. the money will have to follow sometime.
08. any song you'd like to cover?
november rain by guns and roses!! it's the best song ever to be presented in such a vulgar manner. try and listen to it without any prejudice and you will hear what i mean. i think we'll change the lyrics from "cold november rain" to "copenhagen rain". it could be a really great song i think.
09. name the perfect place and time to hear your music.
at sunset on a plane over the atlantic ocean halfway between new york and paris.
10. recommend something you've been listening lately.
i think emmy the great is one of the most talented songwriters of my own generation. only thing is no one knows her. the world is really unfair - or perhaps it just doesn't appreciate quality.
11. anything else you feel like saying?
nah.
download: ingrid bergman
(don't forget to check their new song 'heart stab' on their myspace!)
blog
myspace
the champagne anthem/ xmas safari
champagne riot ~ the champagne anthem/ xmas safari (independent, 2009)
it's the 5th day of the year and if you still don't have a musical addiction so far, you should try this...
champagne riot is a danish duo formed by caspar bock from northern portrait (my choice to be the band of 2010, like the pains of being pure at heart were in 2009) and anders reuter.
the champagne anthem is a spoken track with awesome words filled with pop references (including sarah records) and an incredibly catchy chorus with dancey bits.
xmas safari was released as a christmas gift less than a month ago and follows their brilliant way of making the perfect pop song.
two years ago, they released an ep called 'paris and i' on the lovely shelflife records.
so here's the champagne anthem
and xmas safari
site
myspace
it's the 5th day of the year and if you still don't have a musical addiction so far, you should try this...
champagne riot is a danish duo formed by caspar bock from northern portrait (my choice to be the band of 2010, like the pains of being pure at heart were in 2009) and anders reuter.
the champagne anthem is a spoken track with awesome words filled with pop references (including sarah records) and an incredibly catchy chorus with dancey bits.
xmas safari was released as a christmas gift less than a month ago and follows their brilliant way of making the perfect pop song.
two years ago, they released an ep called 'paris and i' on the lovely shelflife records.
so here's the champagne anthem
and xmas safari
site
myspace
music to see. 04
i was going to post an album from the danish act oliver north boy choir, but after seeing that it was requested to a few blogs to remove the download link i decided to abort the first idea and make a special video post about the band. apparently they create, direct and edit their own videos.
ps: the band don't exist anymore (sadly...)
holy wars
baby cool
adrenaline
bette davis eyes
site
myspace
ps: the band don't exist anymore (sadly...)
holy wars
baby cool
adrenaline
bette davis eyes
site
myspace
the fallen aristocracy
northern portrait ~ the fallen aristocracy (matinée records, 2008)
since 2007, copenhagen based northern portrait has been making guitar based pop that takes us back to the best moments of 80's music ( the smiths and c86 to be more specific).
music that you hear for the first time and say 'oh. my. fucking. god.!' because it's beautiful, with melancholic guitars and lyrics extremelly well written with a touch of morrissey's witty angst mixed with fury and melancholy ('i’ll slit the throat of anyone who wants to put me down' one of the best lines in 'crazy').
in fact 'crazy' probably is the best song of this debut ep and shows what northern portrait is about wether musically or in terms of lyrics. jangle pop with beautiful guitar hooks and the lyrics asking 'i'm going crazy, what is this thing that's happening to me?'.
northern portrait is so great because, in a world where music deals (more and more) with shallow subjects, it seems that there's a genuine search inside the human nature and its feelings (specially the dark ones). and angst, sadness, doubt, rage rarely sounded so honest and pretty.
as matt schild said: "the fallen aristocracy might just be the bittersweet, jangly guitar-pop album smiths fans have been looking for since 1987".
a few months after the release of this ep a new (astonishing) ep called 'napoleon sweetheart' was released on matinée records and right now they're working on their first lp called 'criminal art lovers'.
01. crazy
02. a quiet noght in copenhagen
03. waiting for a chance
04. the fallen aristocracy
myspace
buy it
since 2007, copenhagen based northern portrait has been making guitar based pop that takes us back to the best moments of 80's music ( the smiths and c86 to be more specific).
music that you hear for the first time and say 'oh. my. fucking. god.!' because it's beautiful, with melancholic guitars and lyrics extremelly well written with a touch of morrissey's witty angst mixed with fury and melancholy ('i’ll slit the throat of anyone who wants to put me down' one of the best lines in 'crazy').
in fact 'crazy' probably is the best song of this debut ep and shows what northern portrait is about wether musically or in terms of lyrics. jangle pop with beautiful guitar hooks and the lyrics asking 'i'm going crazy, what is this thing that's happening to me?'.
northern portrait is so great because, in a world where music deals (more and more) with shallow subjects, it seems that there's a genuine search inside the human nature and its feelings (specially the dark ones). and angst, sadness, doubt, rage rarely sounded so honest and pretty.
as matt schild said: "the fallen aristocracy might just be the bittersweet, jangly guitar-pop album smiths fans have been looking for since 1987".
a few months after the release of this ep a new (astonishing) ep called 'napoleon sweetheart' was released on matinée records and right now they're working on their first lp called 'criminal art lovers'.
01. crazy
02. a quiet noght in copenhagen
03. waiting for a chance
04. the fallen aristocracy
myspace
buy it
in the valley
death valley sleepers ~ in the valley (independent, 2007)
one man project hailing from hovedstaden, denmark.
tobias winberg writes produces, sings and plays all instruments.
this is rock that would make the jesus and mary chain proud. great guitar hooks and soft voice for great, clever lyrics.
1. in the valley
2. she's in control
3. white noise
4. sweet end
5. black pearl
a few random songs:
1. girl got lost
2. left me high
3. heartbreaking sound of joy
4. hey messy queen
myspace
one man project hailing from hovedstaden, denmark.
tobias winberg writes produces, sings and plays all instruments.
this is rock that would make the jesus and mary chain proud. great guitar hooks and soft voice for great, clever lyrics.
1. in the valley
2. she's in control
3. white noise
4. sweet end
5. black pearl
a few random songs:
1. girl got lost
2. left me high
3. heartbreaking sound of joy
4. hey messy queen
myspace
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