PATRICIA THOMAS BAND MANAGEMENT

IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS REVEALS DETAILS OF DATADYR SIGNING

Posted: April 6, 2022 in IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Tags: Datadyr, Free Improvisation, Free Jazz, Improv, IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS, Jazz, Jazz Improv, Norway, Norwegian Jazz, Scandinavian Jazz

Having recently announced the details of label’s first ever release (from Jazz Prog Rockers SOFT FFOG), Is it Jazz? Records have today revealed more about DATADYR, the band destined to produce the label’s second release, which will be available on the 10th June.

Based in Bergen, Norway, DATADYR is a trio of musicians who are all graduates of the Grieg Academy, where their jazz studies provided the inspiration for their music, which can be characterized by its use of traditional jazz, newer directions in jazz and musical improvisations.

All three have considerable experience with other bands and projects. Bassist Øystein Høynes, for instance, has deep-dived into both American and Scandinavian Jazz, something that can be heard in DATADYR’s music. He likes to explore the differences in genres and mix them up, and his playing is “groovy and playful”, with a desire to drive the music forward. Already a well-known figure on the Scandinavian Jazz scene, Høynes has played on albums by the FINNSETH TRIO, HERKULES and ATARI, and is currently playing with ATARI, TARA MARTINE, TREVERKET, and HVO.

During his time at the Grieg Academy drummer Amund Nordstrøm turned his focus towards jazz, free jazz and free improvisation. With a style that is energetic, playful and which pays great attention to tone and texture, it is somewhat extremist but nevertheless displays a controlled musical direction, with clear references to older American and Scandinavian jazz. In a short time Nordstrøm has succeeded in making a name for himself on the music scene in Bergen. He has played a number of concerts in both Norway and Europe and released albums with AVIAN ART, THOMAS LOSSIUS SEPTETT and GUNSLINGING BIRD, with more in the works with bands such as DATADYR, CORT PIIL, MØ: SAN, DUMBO CASINO and SHAKAI.

Guitarist Odd Erlend Mikkelsen has, for several years, been involved in the Rock and Metal scene with bands like DREAMARCHER and KRYPTOGRAF. However, during the last four years he studied Jazz at the Grieg Academy, exploring improvisation. Through his studies he has developed a sound that combines the energy and abrasiveness of classic rock guitar playing, with the harmonic and rhythmic ideas derived from modern jazz.

Having used their experience and their studies to hone their musical skills and develop their distinctive sound – which ranges from the heartfelt and gentle to the energetic and explosive, DATADYR are now ready with their debut full-length album “Woolgathering”, about which the band had this to say:

It’s great to finally release our album on Is it Jazz? Records! There hasn’t been a proper label for jazz/improvised music in Bergen for a while now so Is it Jazz? Records came along at just the right time for us.

“Woolgathering” is a collection of our favourite songs which were written early on in DATADYR’s career. Some of them go all the way back to 2018. while some of them are more recent. It’s a good mix of all our influences as a band and as individual musicians. “Woolgathering” means to daydream, to gather your thoughts – a fitting title in our opinion.

Further details about “Woolgathering” will be released in due course, and more information about DATADYR can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Datadyrmusic

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Datadyrmusic
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpLXhM4Pd4bZxJ0UEkAzgpg
Booking: datadyrepost@gmail.com
Website: https://isitjazzrecords.no/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsItJazzRecords/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isitjazzrecords/
Contact: post@isitjazzrecords.no

THRASH VETERANS NOCTURNAL BREED INK DEAL WITH DARK ESSENCE RECORDS

Posted: March 29, 2022 in DARK ESSENCE RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Tags: Dark Essence Records, Nocturnal Breed, Norway, Norwegian, Thrash, Thrash Metal

After a long search to find a label to suit their exacting requirements, Norwegian Thrashers NOCTURNAL BREED have described their upcoming collaboration with Dark Essence Records as “Monumental and Trench-Altering”, as the band explains:

It has been an ever-occurring dream for the band to gather the forces at home in Norway. And this March 18^th saw this come to pass, as hoof-marks were carved in ink, and a final deal with Dark Essence Records was signed and agreed upon.

The last two decades have been spent looking for a label and a ‘safe haven’, one that allows bands to focus on ‘the music’ and the integrity of the product. “Quality, Dedication and Knowhow” in perfect unison is what we set out to find. And this is what we get with Dark Essence Records. It may sound like a cliché but honestly it feels like coming home.

It is an honour to serve side by side on the battlefield, with such epic bands and old friends, such as can be found on Dark Essence’s roster. As well as having the opportunity to work with the genuinely professional, to the bone, and utterly dedicated people as the ones at Dark Essence. It has resulted in a long-awaited refuelling and re-fusing of the bands inner workings.

And so, we raise the iron-flag here in the bunker. The knives are out and sharpened. A new album is on the way and new nuclear fuel is pumping through our veins…

This will be a good one Thrashiacs!

S.A. Destroyer

Bunker Norvegicus

NOCTURNAL BREED was formed in Oslo in 1996 by S.A. Destroyer (aka Svartalv – ex. GEHENNA, SATYRICON) both as an homage to the old waves of Thrash, Speed and Heavy Metal of the 80’s and as a reaction against the growing commercialisation of the Black Metal scene that plagued the mid 90’s with its ever increasing ‘polished’ sound, along with the softening of attitudes in Metal in general.

The decades that followed saw NOCTURNAL BREED undergo the inevitable lineup changes and hiatuses that bands are subjected to during their careers, all the while producing a plethora of releases, which, aside from the obvious early demos and studio albums, include EP’s, Boxed Sets, and Compilations, culminating in the 2021 release of the “Face Your Aggressor” double album which marked the band’s 25th Anniversary.

Which brings us to the present day and finds NOCTURNAL BREED in their private “Bunker Studios” working on the final stages of their seventh full-length album, set to be released on Dark Essence Records later this year.

More information about the band can be found on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Thrashiac777NocturnalBreed

NOCTURNAL BREED’s 15th Year Anniversary video for the track “Resistance is Futile” can be seen at https://youtu.be/DRzu4haJyeI

IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS ANNOUNCES SOFT FFOG WILL LAUNCH THE LABEL WITH THEIR DEBUT ALBUM. NEW SINGLE RELEASED

Posted: March 25, 2022 in IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS
Tags: IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS, Jazz, Jazz Prog Rock, Karisma Records, Norway, Norwegian Black Metal, Prog, Soft Ffog

Is It Jazz? Records, the scion of Norways Dark Essence and Karisma Records, will launch their first release on the 27th May when the self-titled debut album from Jazz Prog Rockers SOFT FFOG hits the streets. But those curious to hear what the label has in store for them need wait no longer, because today “Chun Li”, the opening track from the SOFT FFOG album, has been released as a single, which can be streamed or downloaded from various services at:

https://isitjazzrecords.fanlink.to/Soft-Ffog_Chun-Li

Being the first band on the label is, as you can imagine, something the Instrumental Quartet is very much looking forward to, as the band explains:

SOFT FFOG are super stoked to be the first band signed to Is it Jazz? Records and we’re looking forward to rising into the cosmos together! So,about us. Have you ever wondered what it would sound like if JIMI HENDRIX joined DEEP PURPLE and aimed at sounding like GENTLE GIANT – but failing miserably in the attempt because too much jazz had been consumed lately? Probably not, but anyhow, SOFT FFOG´s sound is unique, and draws parallels with the aforementioned acts somewhat in style, compositions and aesthetics, but is more rooted in jazz – with prolonged solos and improvisations.

And of course the time has now come, and we are happy to release the first single from our upcoming album. The song is the opener on the album, and kicks off with a «The Who-esque» intro with a twisted indie rock melody, then progresses into a fuzzed out Gentle Giant-like riff. Guitar solo ahead! And then concludes with a bang!

SOFT FFOG’s genesis in 2016 was somewhat unusual in that it came about as a one-off gig commissioned by the Kongsberg Jazz Festival. Despite the success of this event, the band did not get the momentum it needed to be a proper working entity, and, combined with the busy schedules of the respective musicians, each with their other bands and projects, SOFT FFOG only played gigs every now and then. Playing live, did however, help to define and refine the band’s sound, so much so, infact, that founder Tom Hasslan decided that 2020 was the right time for SOFT FFOG to record their first album.

The band consists of Tom Hasslan (KROKOFANT) who also wrote the album, on guitars, Axel Skalstad (KROKOFANT) on drums, Trond Frønes (RED KITE, GRAND GENERAL) on bass, and Vegard Lien Bjerkan (WIZRD) on keyboards. It’s safe to say that individually the members of SOFT FFOG have probably played with everyone in the Norwegian Jazz scene, and now they have a vehicle that allows them to do their own thing. By combining influences from KING CRIMSON with TERJE RYPDAL, DEEP PURPLE with PAT METHENY, SOFT FFOG have produced an album of blistering guitar solos, gnarly bass, crazy drums and supersonic keyboard playing!

Recorded at Studio Paradiso with Christian Engfelt engineering and producing, and mastered by Herbrand Larsen, and with artwork by Tor Einar Evju and layout by Tom Korsvold, track listing for the album is as follows:

1. Chun Li
2. Zangief
3. Ken
4. Dhalsim

“Soft Ffog” will be released in CD and LP formats and is now available to pre-order from

Bandcamp: https://softffog.bandcamp.com/album/soft-ffog
Webshop: https://isitjazzrecords.no/shop/

More information about SOFT FFOG can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Softffog

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Softffog
Booking: jazztom@hotmail.com
Website: https://isitjazzrecords.no/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsItJazzRecords/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isitjazzrecords/
Contact: post@isitjazzrecords.no

AIRBAG CO-FOUNDER BJØRN RIIS DEBUTS NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO FROM UPCOMING SOLO ALBUM

Posted: March 4, 2022 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Tags: Airbag, Bjorn Riis, Karisma Records, Prog, Prog Rock

With its release date set for the 8th April on Karisma Records, BJØRN RIIS’s fourth full-length solo album “Everything to Everyone” deals with the toll that continuously having to meet the expectations of others takes on ones emotions, heightened by the fear of losing oneself in the effort to do so.

This is poignantly illustrated in the track “The Siren”, which Karisma Records have today released as a single.

As Bjørn explains:

Musically the song derives its inspiration from the more mellow side of Roger Waters, Richard Hawley and Tim Bowness, and is told from the perspective of someone observing a dancer. Lyrically it depicts how one can be easily misled by temptation and hurt by the need for approval.

“The Siren” itself dates back to the “A Day at the Beach” recording sessions with AIRBAG. It was one of many demos that I presented to the band but which didn’t quite fit in with the rest of the material.

Whilst writing “Everything to Everyone”, I redid most of the arrangements and lyrics and “The Siren” ended up being one of my favourite tracks on the album, and I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Simen Valldal Johannessen (OAK) for the beautiful piano, Henrik Fossum (AIRBAG) for the delicate drumming, and engineer Vegard Sleipnes for the mixing.

The single of “The Siren” can be streamed or downloaded from various services at https://link.karismarecords.no/Bjorn-Riis_The-Siren

At the same time, Anne-Marie Forker has produced a soulful video for “The Siren” which can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/2PqJXn0ozv0

For the album itself, which Bjørn admits was inspired by Dante’s Inferno, he has once again teamed up with long-time collaborator Vegard Kleftås Sleipnes, who, as well as co-producing the album with Bjørn, also handled the engineering and mixing. Mastering was carried out by Jacob Holm-Lupo (WHITE WILLOW and THE OPIUM CARTEL).

In addition to Bjørn’s vocals and celebrated guitar playing, “Everything to Everyone” also features guest appearances from Henrik Bergan Fossum (AIRBAG), Kristian Hultgren (WOBBLER), Simen Valldal Johannessen (OAK) and Norwegian singer/songwriter MIMMI TAMBA.

With cover photo by Anne-Marie Forker and design by Asle Tostrup, track listing on “Everything to Everyone” is as follows:

1. Run
2. Lay Me Down
3. The Siren
4. Every Second Every Hour
5. Descending
. Everything to Everyone
Digisleeve CD bonus tracks:
7. Everything to Everyone (Alternative version)
8. Desolate Place

“Everything to Everyone” will be available in four different versions. Aside from the normal LP version, the vinyl format will also be available as a Limited Edition White/Black Splatter LP, whilst the CD format will be available both as a standard CD as well as a Limited Edition Digi Sleeve version which will include two bonus tracks comprising an alternative version of the title track, and the 2020 stand-alone digital single “Desolate Place”.

It is now available to pre-order from:

Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/kar199-bjorn-riis-everything-to-everyone/
Band Camp: https://bjornriis.bandcamp.com/album/everything-to-everyone
North American Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com/band/bjorn-riis

Now a much-respected guitarist within the musical community, Bjørn ‘s interest in music began whilst still a teenager, at a time when guitar-led bands were at their height and were spearheading the rise of the Progressive Rock movement. It was this movement, together with Electronica and Movie Scores, that influenced the young guitarist, leading him to develop a style filled with soaring leads and gorgeous textures.

Such is his knowledge of, the guitar, and all things related, that his YouTube channel, has become an extremely successful destination for guitar fans. The channel can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/c/BjornRiisMusic

More information about BJØRN RIIS can be found on the guitarist’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BjornRiisArtistPage and on his website at https://www.Bjørnriis.com/

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Band contact: Bjørn@airbag.no
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BjørnRiisArtistPage
Website: https://www.Bjørnriis.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Bjørnriis/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BjornRiisMusic
Bandcamp: https://Bjørnriis.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 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karismarecords/
Karisma Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com
Karisma Records BandCamp: http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/music

NORWEGIAN ROCKERS WIZRD JOIN THE KARISMA RECORDS ROSTER

Posted: March 1, 2022 in KARISMA RECORDS
Tags: Indie, Jazz, Karisma Records, Prog, Rock, Wizrd

Rockers WIZRD, a band who happily dip their collective toes into all kinds of genres, from Rock and Indie to Jazz and Prog, have joined the roster of Karisma Records, with the label planning to release the band’s debut album during the latter half of 2022. A collaboration about which WIZRD had this to say:

We are super stoked to be working with Karisma Records for our upcoming debut album! To be working alongside such a skilled group of people is both a great pleasure and an honour for us. Together, we will take this music to the stars… and beyond!

Formed at the Jazz Conservatory in Trondheim, WIZRD’s four-piece line-up of Hallvard Gaardløs (SPIDERGAWD, DRAKEN and more) on bass and lead vocals, Karl Bjorå (MEGALODON COLLECTIVE and more) on guitar and vocals, Vegard Lien Bjerkan (SOFT FFOG and more) on keyboards and vocals, Axel Skalstad (KROKOFANT, SOFT FFOG and more) on drums, are all musicians who definitely know all the rules, but deliberately set out to break them.

Since 2020, WIZRD have been hard at work on their album which will be produced by Norwegian film score composer and JAGA JAZZIST drummer Martin Horntveth. Recorded at the Studio Paradiso in Oslo by Marcus Forsgren (BROR FORSGREN, JAGA JAZZIST) and Horntveth, the album was mixed by Bergen based musician and producer Matias Tellez (YOUNG DREAMS, GIRL IN RED). More information regarding the album will be released in due time.

More information about WIZRD can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WIZRDTHEBAND/

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WIZRDTHEBAND/
Band Contact: hallvardgaardlos@hotmail.com
Promo and other information: post@karismarecords.no
Karisma Records: http://www.karismarecords.no/
Karisma Records Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karismarecords
Karisma Records Bandcamp: https://karismarecords.bandcamp.com
Karisma Records on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KarismarecordsNor
Karisma Records Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karismarecords/
Karisma Records Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarismaRecords
Karisma on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records
Karisma Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com

DARK ESSENCE RECORDS INKS DEAL WITH NORWEGIAN BLACK METALLERS TILINTETGJORT

Posted: February 22, 2022 in Uncategorized
Tags: Avantgarde, Avantgarde Black Metal, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Norwegian Black Metal, Tilintetgjort

Dark Essence Records have welcomed Norwegian Black Metallers TILINTETGJORT to their roster, and will release the band’s debut full-length album later this year.

TILINTETGJORT, which translated means “Destroyed”, was formed in the early summer of 2020 by three Oslo-based musicians: Den Gamle and Hazzlegard on guitars, and Sturt: on bass. By the end of the summer the trio was joined by Tybalt on drums and Svik on vocals, cementing their place in the now five-piece lineup.

The newly formed TILINTETGJORT set out to create Avantgarde Black Metal that finds its inspiration not only in the ’90’s Black Metal, in which the band is strongly rooted, but also in ’70’s Prog Rock along, with a variety of other experimental genres.

2021 saw TILINTETGJORT dedicate themselves to the creative process, with the band releasing the digital single ” Vinter og Høst” in September of that year, and as well as making their live debut alongside VED BUENS ENDE and MORTEM in Oslo.

By the time 2022 came along, TILINTETGJORT was ready to begin recording the band’s debut album, entering the Chaka Khan Studio in January. The resulting material was enough to pique the interest of Dark Essence Records, who signed the band a month later.

“TILINTETGJORT is extremely happy to have signed with Dark Essence Records” commented the band, and are “looking forward to a long and productive partnership. Busy times ahead!”

More details about TILINTETGJORT’s debut album will be released at a later date, and in the meantime, more information about the band can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tilintetgjortnor

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tilintetgjortnor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tilintetgjortnor/
Band Contact: tilintetgjort@gmail.com
Dark Essence contact: post@karismarecords.no
Dark Essence Records: www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darkessencerecords
Dark Essence Records Bandcamp: http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/
Dark Essence Records YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DarkEssenceRecords
Dark Essence Records Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darkessencerecords/
Dark Essence Records Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarkEssenceRec
Dark Essence SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records
Dark Essence Records Webshop: https://www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence Records North American Webshop: https://darkessence.indiemerch.com
Dark Essence Records Australian Webshop: https://www.heavymetalmerchant.com/bands/d/dark-essence-records/

DARK ESSENCE AND KARISMA RECORDS ADD A THIRD STRING TO THEIR BOW WITH THE LAUNCH OF IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS

Posted: February 11, 2022 in IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS, KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Tags: Datadyr, IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS, Jazz, Soft Ffog

Fans of both the more Extreme end of metal as well as fans of more Progressive genres are well versed in the eclectic output of Norwegian labels Dark Essence Records for the former, and Karisma Records for the latter – labels known not only for their rosters of iconic, long-established and world-renowned bands, as well some of the most interesting newcomers to emerge on their respective scenes.

It shouldn’t therefore come as too much of a surprise that the eclectic band of people who have created the two labels, some of whom are professional musicians and producers, and some of whom have been working in the industry for many years now, should decide to expand further into territory that fits in with their ethos, and their personal musical interests. As they explain:

All you need to do is look at our catalogue of releases from both labels, and it’s pretty evident that those of us behind Karisma and Dark Essence Records have always been interested in different musical styles and genres.

One of those interests, in which we do dabble extensively, is the more progressive and experimental kind of music, music that leads us naturally to enjoying a lot of Jazz as well. And that’s why we are now launching a new sub-label simply called IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS.

We’re sure that some of you are asking why the name of the label is actually a question. Well, there is an awful lot of music around these days that is labelled Jazz, so much so, in fact, that even within the Jazz scene there are constant discussions on what is Jazz and what isn’t. So we thought that we would really like to release bands and artists that we feel represents Jazz to us, and this could encompass a whole lot of areas. It could be the exponents of classical jazz, or the really experimental artists, the soft singer/songwriters, or the hard rocking proggers.

There’s a whole lot of Jazz out there and we hope you will come along with us for the ride and enjoy our Jazz discoveries – and let’s see if you think it’s Jazz or not!

More information about Is it Jazz? Records can be found at the following:

Website: https://isitjazzrecords.no/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsItJazzRecords/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isitjazzrecords/
Contact: post@isitjazzrecords.no

With every intention of hitting the ground running Is it Jazz? Records plan to release the debut albums from their two new signings around summer time. First up will be an album from the quartet SOFT FFOG, whose experienced musicians are well known on the Norwegian Jazz scene, whilst the second album will be from DATADYR, a trio of musicians from Bergen, whose four years studying Jazz at the prestigious Grieg Academy, has given them a varied take on things.

More information about the upcoming releases will be available shortly, and in the meantime you can find out more about the bands at the following:

SOFT FFOG
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Softffog
Booking: jazztom@hotmail.com

DATADYR
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Datadyrmusic
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpLXhM4Pd4bZxJ0UEkAzgpg
booking: datadyrepost@gmail.com

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Website: https://isitjazzrecords.no/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsItJazzRecords/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isitjazzrecords/
Contact: post@isitjazzrecords.no

KARISMA RECORDS TO RELEASE LIMITED EDITION REPRESS OF SOLD-OUT LP FROM ALTERNATIVE POP ORCHESTRA MEER. NEW VIDEO REVEALED

Posted: January 18, 2022 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Tags: Alternative Pop, Alternative Pop Orchestra, Karisma Records, Meer, Norway, Pop, Pop Orchestra

Following on from the hugely successful release at the beginning of last year of “Playing House”, the second full-length album from the Alternative Pop Orchestra MEER, Karisma Records found themselves selling out of the vinyl version in record time.

With fans still clamouring for an LP, the label has decided to release a new Limited Edition vinyl re-press of “Playing House”, which has appeared in multiple “Best Of 2021” lists. Strictly limited to 500 copies, the re-press of “Playing House” will be available as a Red Vinyl Double LP.

Set for release on the 25th March it is now available to pre-order from:

Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/shop/
BandCamp: https://meer.bandcamp.com/album/playing-house
North American Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com/

To celebrate the upcoming release, MEER have released a live video of the band performing the track “Beehive”, which can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/TWPvmjQ2ouQ

It is a track about which the band had this to say:

Beehive has been a long-time favourite on our live sets, and we love how the album version turned out. It’s sensual, chaotic, powerful and definitely one of our most hard hitting songs. The cinematic strings, heavy guitars and arpeggiated synthesizers create a suggestive drive over which Johanne gets to belt her heart out. We often work together composing as a collective, and for “Beehive” drummer Mats came up with the opening piano riff and then the rest of the band added new parts, hooks and lyrics to it on several jams and rehearsals. We are thrilled to finally share this powerhouse with you!

With artwork by Helena Haglund and Simen Skar, “Playing House” was Recorded at Ocean Sound Recording and Tanken, with producer Lars Gärtner Fremmerlid (EINAR STRAY ORCHESTRA) at the helm. Tracklisting for “Playing House”, which is also available in CD and Digital formats, is as follows:

1. Picking Up the Pieces
2. Beehive
3. All at Sea
4. Songs of Us
5. Child
6. You were a Drum
7. Honey
8. Across the Ocean
9. She Goes
10. Where do We Go from Here?
11. Lay it Down
Vinyl only bonus track:
12. Here I Go Again (Whitesnake cover)

Formed back in 2008 MEER was, at that time, simply a duo known as TED GLEN EXTENDED, but the band has now expanded its lineup to become a veritable orchestra whose eight members include Johanne Kippersund on vocals, Knut Kippersund on vocals, Eivind Strømstad on guitar, Åsa Ree on violin, Ingvild Nordstoga Eide on viola, Ole Gjøstøl on keyboards, Morten Strypet on bass and Mats Lillehaug on drums.

With such a large lineup, it was inevitable that a variety of styles and influences would find their way into MEER’s material, creating a sound that is an eclectic mix of orchestral pop, classical music and progressive rock. It is a massive sound comprised of fantastic melodies and harmonies, not to mention quite a few surprises along the way.

More information about MEER can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MEERmusikk/

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MEERmusikk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meermusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOPFSGuj-8Grx2_1_A8m2kA
Band contact: post@meerband.com
Promo and other information: post@karismarecords.no
Karisma Records: http://www.karismarecords.no/
Karisma Records Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karismarecords
Karisma Records Bandcamp: https://karismarecords.bandcamp.com
Karisma Records on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KarismarecordsNor
Karisma Records Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarismaRecords
Karisma on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records
Karisma Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com

KARISMA RECORDS RELEASES DETAILS, VIDEO AND SINGLE FROM FOURTH FULL-LENGTH SOLO ALBUM FROM AIRBAG CO-FOUNDER BJØRN RIIS

Posted: January 14, 2022 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Tags: Airbag, Bjorn Riis, Karisma Records, Norway, Norwegian, Norwegian Prog, Prog, Prog Rock, Progressive

Aside from being one of the founder members, lead guitarist, producer and main songwriter of one of Norway’s most successful Prog bands AIRBAG, BJORN RIIS is also becoming a prolific solo artist, with his fourth full-length album set for release on Karisma Records on the 8th April.

Titled “Everything to Everyone”, the album contains six epic new tracks that deal with human emotions and the fear of losing oneself in the constant effort to meet every, often perceived, expectation, as Bjørn explains:

I was inspired by Dante’s Inferno when I started to write. A bit pretentious perhaps, but I’ve always been fascinated by that very personal journey and the search for some kind of piece or redemption, while being both mentored and hurt along the way. Musically, I wanted to take the listener on that journey, experiencing both hope and anxiety.

As a taste of what fans can expect from “Everything to Everyone”, Karisma Records have today released a single and video of the title track, about which Bjørn has this to say:

“Everything to Everyone” goes way back. It’s one of those songs that never got finished but it’s always been in the back of my head. The lyrics are about losing yourself in the struggle to live up to expectations. Either one’s own or those of others. I think we all can relate to that in one way or the other.

I’m very happy with how it turned out! It’s a dramatic piece and I’ve tried to allow the music to have a story in itself. Added to which are Mimmi Tamba’s amazing vocals, Simen Valldal Johannessen’s beautiful piano and Henrik Bergan Fossum’s powerful drumming.

The single “Everything to Everyone” can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of services at https://link.karismarecords.no/Bjorn-Riis_Everything-To-Everyone_Single

Whilst the video, by Anne-Marie Forker, can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/sYccgTvoR00

For “Everything to Everyone”, Bjørn has, once again, revisited his highly successful partnership with long-time collaborator Vegard Kleftås Sleipnes, who, as well as co-producing the album with Bjørn, also handled the engineering and mixing. Mastering was carried out by Jacob Holm-Lupo (WHITE WILLOW and THE OPIUM CARTEL).

Karisma Records plans to release “Everything to Everyone” in four different versions. Aside from the normal LP version, the vinyl format will also be available as a Limited Edition White/Black Splatter LP, whilst the CD format will be available both as a standard CD as well as a Limited Edition Digi Sleeve version which will include two bonus tracks comprising an alternative version of the title track, and the 2020 stand-alone digital single “Desolate Place”.

With cover photo by Anne-Marie Forker and design by Asle Tostrup, track listing on “Everything to Everyone” is as follows:

1. Run
2. Lay Me Down
3. The Siren
4. Every Second Every Hour
5. Descending
6. Everything to Everyone
Digisleeve CD bonus tracks:
7. Everything to Everyone (Alternative version)
8. Desolate Place

“Everything to Everyone” is now available to pre-order from:

Such is his knowledge of, the guitar, and all things related, that his YouTube channel “gilmourish RIIS”, has become an extremely successful destination guitar fans. The channel can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWcIN_-togBBmlCYsuuy6Pg

More information about BJØRN RIIS can be found on the guitarist’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BjornRiisArtistPage and on his website at https://www.bjornriis.com/

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Band contact: bjorn@airbag.no
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BjornRiisArtistPage
Website: https://www.bjornriis.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjornriis/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWcIN_-togBBmlCYsuuy6Pg
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 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karismarecords/
Karisma Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com
Karisma Records BandCamp: http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/music

PROGRESSIVE POP/ROCKERS OAK RELEASE HAUNTING CHRISTMAS SINGLE

Posted: December 15, 2021 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Tags: Christmas Single, Karisma Records, Norway, Oak, Prog Pop, Prog Pop/Rock, Prog Rock, Silent Night

Karisma Records have released a stunning new version of “Silent Night” by Oslo’s Progressive Pop/Rockers OAK. The single presents an entirely new arrangement of the Christmas classic, with piano taking the lead in the delicate instrumentation, which, when paired with its haunting vocals, produces a completely original version of the seasonal favourite.

Originally formed as a folk-rock duo, OAK’s lineup now features Simen Valldal Johannessen on vocals, piano, keys and lyrics, Sigbjørn Reiakvam on bass, acoustic / electric guitars, banjo, keys and programming, and Øystein Sootholtet on Drums, percussion, programming and keys. They are joined on “Silent Night” by Stephan Hvinden and Ole Michael Bjørndal on guitars.

“Silent Night” was recorded at the Ljugekroken Studio by Øystein and Sigbjørn, mixed by Sigbjørn, and mastered by Jacob Holm Lupo.

With cover artwork by Deformat and photo by Anne Marie Forker “Silent Night”, can be streamed or downloaded from various services at:

https://link.karismarecords.no/Oak_SilentNight

OAK’s members all come from diverse musical backgrounds, giving the band the considerable advantage of being able to draw on skills that range from classical piano to electronica, prog and hard rock, smattered with references to the alternative scene as well as progressive rock. The band’s meticulously crafted sound , with its use of electronics and low bass frequencies, presents the listener with music that is neither wholly progressive pop, nor progressive rock, but is, rather, a happy amalgam of both.

More information about OAK can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/oakinoslo/

A video of OAK playing the title track from their 2018 album “False Memory Archive” live at the Night of Prog Festival can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/F5_R6eV2jmA

Additional Information
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oakinoslo/
Bandcamp: https://oakinoslo.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakinoslo/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/OakInOslo
Band contact and Booking: contact@oakinoslo.com
Promo and other information: post@karismarecords.no
Karisma Records contact: post@karismarecords.no
Karisma Records: http://www.karismarecords.no/
Karisma Records Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karismarecords
Karisma Records Bandcamp: https://karismarecords.bandcamp.com
Karisma Records on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KarismarecordsNor
Karisma Records Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarismaRecords
Karisma on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records
Karisma Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com

PATRICIA THOMAS BAND MANAGEMENT

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