With two critically acclaimed solo albums already to his name, AIRBAG co-founder, songwriter and lead guitarist BJORN RIIS will kick off 2018 in style with the release of a mini-album on Karisma Records in February.
Titled “Coming Home”, the five-track album will include a newly recorded semi-acoustic version of the title track from Bjorn’s 2014 debut album “Lullabies in a Car Crash”, as well as a duet with the Norwegian singer SICHELLE.
Bjorn’s interest in music started in his early teens, an era of guitar-led bands that preceded the emergence of the Progressive Rock movement, which, together with Electronica and Movie Scores, also served to influence him and lead him to develop a style filled with soaring leads and gorgeous textures. Today he has become a much-respected guitarist within the musical community, with his own blog which is followed by thousands of fans.
Not unnaturally, therefore, guitar playing takes centre-stage on his releases, and “Coming Home” is no exception. As Bjorn explains: “I’ve always felt that the guitar is an extension of me and a more comfortable and natural way of expressing myself musically”.
Talking about “Coming Home” itself Bjorn had this to say: “I’m really happy and proud of the vocals this time, and the duet with Sichelle on “Drowning” is very emotional. Lyrically, “Coming Home” deals with the fear and insecurity of being forgotten by the people around you. You imagine all these dramatic scenes and wonder if you’ll ever be missed if something really was to happen”
A regards the idea of including the track “Lullabies in a Car Crash”, which features AIRBAG and BJØRN RIIS BAND touring guitarist Ole Michael Bjørndal on lead guitar, Bjorn went on to explain: “Lullabies just fit right into the mood and theme of this album. It’s almost become a new song. It’s very honest and moving” .
The front cover image for “Coming Home”, is from a collection titled “Sorrow” by the Norwegian photographer Kjetil Karlsen, who provided the much-lauded cover image for Bjorn’s second full-length album “Forever Comes to an End”. The design and layout is by Asle Tostrup.
Tracklisting for “Coming Home”, which will be released in MCD format on Karisma Records on the 20th February, is as follows:
1. Daybreak 4:00
2. Coming Home 6:44
3. Drowning 6:14
4. Tonight’s the Night 3:16
5. Lullabies in a Car Crash (alternative version) 6:29
More information about BJØRN RIIS can be found on the guitarist’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BjornRiisMusician/ and on his website at http://www.bjornriis.com, whilst those interested in guitar tutorials and equipment related matters may like to check out Bjorn’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6JRXuFfSeZ1AzenPh_krpA
Music by BJØRN RIIS can be found at https://bjornriis.bandcamp.com
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Band contact: bjorn@airbag.no
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BjornRiisMusician/
Website: http://www.bjornriis.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6JRXuFfSeZ1AzenPh_krpA
Bandcamp: https://bjornriis.bandcamp.com
Promo and other information: post@karismarecords.no
Karisma Records: http://www.karismarecords.no/
Karisma Records Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karismarecords
Karisma Records on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KarismarecordsNor
Karisma on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records
Karisma Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop: http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/
Karisma Records BandCamp: http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/music
Karisma Records KlickTrack Store: http://shop.klicktrack.com/karismadarkessencerecords
PATRICIA THOMAS BAND MANAGEMENT 