Posts Tagged ‘Prog Pop’

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

Oak PR1

Adding yet another string to their already impressive Progressive bow, Karisma Records have inked a deal with OAK,  and will release the band’s sophomore full-length album “False Memory Archive” on the 19th October.

In anticipation of the release, Karisma have debuted  the first track from the album “We, the Drowned” which can be heard below and at http://oakinoslo.bandcamp.com/album/false-memory-archive


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Starting life as a folk-rock duo, OAK’s current lineup of 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, come from a diverse background that spans classical piano to electronica, prog- and hard-rock, and includes references to the alternative scene as well as progressive rock.   The pulling together of all these different elements and skills helped create the rather unique OAK sound, and resulted in the 2013 release of the band’s debut album “Lighthouse”.

Oak PR2

It’s now five years later, and OAK are back with “False Memory Archive”, which, with its nods in the direction of “Lighthouse”, make it a natural continuation of their debut. Meticulously crafted, with an increased use of electronics and low bass frequencies, “False Memory Archive” is both darker and groovier that its predecessor, whilst still maintaining that familiar Oak sound, which is neither wholly progressive pop, nor progressive rock, but a happy amalgam of both.

Having  taken several steps both as songwriters and musicians, OAK have succeeded in producing a sophomore album that  ended up in a slightly darker and more progressive territory, but one in which the light still shines through in the shape of catchy elements and stunning vocal harmonies, which create that unique duality that defines them as a band.

Recorded in Oslo at the Ljugekroken Studio and the Tøyen Church, “False Memory Archive” was  mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren and Oak at the Fascination Studios.  With front cover artwork by  Lisa Love and design by Deformat, and featuring a guest appearance on guitars by Bjorn Riis, tracklisting for “False Memory Archive” is as follows:

  1. We, The Drowned
  2. Claire De Lune
  3. False Memory Archuve
  4. Lost Causes (Bjorn Riis guesting on guitar)
  5. Intermezzo
  6. The Lights
  7. These Are The Stars We’re Aiming For
  8. Transparent Eyes
  9. Psalm 51

Oak AlbumArt PR

“False Memory Archive” will be released in CD, Digital and Crystal Clear Vinyl formats, and is now available to pre-order at:

Bandcamp:  https://oakinoslo.bandcamp.com
Webshop:  https://www.karismarecords.no/artists/oak/

OAK’s next live appearance will be on the 31 August, at the Close to the Rain Festival at the John Dee in Oslo.

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

Oak PR3

Additional Information
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/oakinoslo/
Website: http://www.oakinoslo.com
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: 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 BandCamp: http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/music
Karisma Records US Webshop:  http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/
Karisma Records KlickTrack Store (digital only):  http://shop.klicktrack.com/karismadarkessencerecords