Posts Tagged ‘Progressive Pop’

With the release date of “The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise” getting ever closer,  Karisma Records have today released one more single from the album, giving one more insight into what fans, old and new, can expect from the latest offering from Progressive Pop/Rockers OAK.

Titled “Paperwings”, OAK had this to say about the track:

We set out to write some shorter songs for this album, but Paperwings ended up being our longest one yet. It`s a journey through most aspects of our musical universe, and a dark and forceful ride into the nature of desperation, sorrow and hope.

 “Paperwings” can be streamed or downloaded from a number of services at https://link.karismarecords.no/Oak_Paperwings

Set for release on the 11th November, the album itself is the perfect example of what results when a group of musicians from diverse backgrounds get together to make music.   With a skill set that ranges from classical piano, to electronica, to prog and hard rock, OAK’s lineup of Simen Valldal Johannessen on vocals, piano and keys, Øystein Sootholtet on bass, acoustic and electric guitars, Sigbjørn Reiakvam on drums, percussion, programming, keys and guitars, and Stephan Hvinden on lead, rhythm and slide guitars has been able to produce a sound that weaves its way through both the alternative and the progressive rock scenes.

Easily OAK’s  most dynamic album to date “The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise” presents  a sharper edge than its two predecessors. With some surprises along the way, the sound is still unmistakably OAK, and offers a subtle insight into what went before, and what is yet to come, from the band.

What makes this album extra special though, is its subject matter – the  frequently misunderstood issue of mental health with a focus on suicide.  But to be very clear OAK have eschewed the temptation to fall into the “sensationalist” way of looking at these matters.  Instead they have treated these controversial subjects with the respect and sympathy they deserve, seeking advice from experienced scholars in order that the message comes  across clearly.

OAK’s painstaking efforts with “The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise” are even reflected in the cover design, which is by Remi Juliebø / Deformat.  Based on the death mask of an unknown drowning victim from 1880s Paris, known as “L’Inconnue de la Seine”,  Anne-Marie Forker’s photography is a poignant reference to the album’s subject matter, whilst the font itself is partially based on the handwriting from two real suicide notes. 

Recorded  in Ljugekroken and mixed at the Ghostward Studio by David Castillo (KATATONIA, LEPROUS OPETH, etc.) “The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise” was mastered by Tony Lindgren at the Fascination Street Studio.  

Track listing for “The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise” is as follows.

1. Highest Tower, Deepest Well
2. Quiet Rebellion
3. Dreamless Sleep
4. Sunday 8 AM
5. Demagogue Communion
6. Paperwings
7. Guest of Honour

“The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise” will be available in CD, Digital and Limited Edition white vinyl formats, and can now be pre-order from the following:

Various Services (regularly updated) https://link.karismarecords.no/Oak_The-Quiet-Rebellion-of-Compromise
Webshop:  https://www.karismarecords.no/kar225-oak-the-quiet-rebellion-of-compromise/
Bandcamp: https://oakinoslo.bandcamp.com/album/the-quiet-rebellion-of-compromise
US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com/band/oak

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

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: https://www.karismarecords.no
Karisma Records US Webshop:  https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com

Karisma Records have released a second single from “The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise”, the upcoming third full-length album from Progressive Pop/Rockers OAK. 

Titled  “Quiet Rebellion”, the single  can be downloaded or streamed from a number of services at
https://link.karismarecords.no/OAK_QuietRebellion

“The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise” is easily OAK’s  most dynamic album yet, and showcases the wide range of influences that have gone into developing the band’s sound.  With a sharper edge and some surprising  twists and turns, the album is still unmistakably OAK, with its members making ample use of their diverse backgrounds ranging from classical piano, to electronica, to prog and hard rock, thereby creating music that references both the  alternative scene as well as the progressive rock scene.

Recorded  in Ljugekroken and mixed at the Ghostward Studio by David Castillo (KATATONIA, LEPROUS OPETH, etc.) “The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise” was mastered by Tony Lindgren at the Fascination Street Studio.  Offering  subtle hints to both past and future songs in the OAK universe,  track listing is as follows:

1. Highest Tower, Deepest Well
2. Quiet Rebellion
3. Dreamless Sleep
4. Sunday 8 AM
5. Demagogue Communion
6. Paperwings
7. Guest of Honour

“The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise” is set for release on the 11th November in CD, Digital and Limited Edition white vinyl formats, and is now available to pre-order from the following:

Various Services (regularly updated) https://link.karismarecords.no/Oak_The-Quiet-Rebellion-of-Compromise
Webshop:  https://www.karismarecords.no/kar225-oak-the-quiet-rebellion-of-compromise/
Bandcamp: https://oakinoslo.bandcamp.com/album/the-quiet-rebellion-of-compromise
US Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com/band/oak

“The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise” is an extraordinary album  in respect of its subject matter, because, in it, the band explores the subject of mental health, concentrating particularly on the aspect of suicide. Having chosen to write about two highly important, but very controversial subjects, and cognisant of the fact that music as an art form is very open to interpretation, OAK did not want to treat the matter in the  “sensationalist” way it is so often tackled.  Rather, wanting to make sure  that the message came across clearly and respectfully, they sought advice from experienced scholars.  

Even the cover design by Remi Juliebø / Deformat for “The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise” is a very poignant reference to the concept, in that it is based on the death mask of “L’Inconnue de la Seine”,  an unknown drowning victim from 1880s Paris (photographed by Anne-Marie Forker), whilst the font is partially based on handwriting from two real suicide notes. 

Starting out as a folk-rock duo, OAK’s lineup has expanded to include Simen Valldal Johannessen on vocals, piano and keys, Øystein Sootholtet on bass, acoustic and electric guitars, Sigbjørn Reiakvam on drums, percussion, programming, keys and guitars, and Stephan Hvinden on lead, rhythm and slide guitars.

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

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: https://www.karismarecords.no
Karisma Records US Webshop:  https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com