Interview: Sinikka Langeland

Arve Henriksen
Strjon
Rune Grammofon

Artists are constantly pushing the limits of what consists of art in minimalist measures, but this is going just a tad too far. Not unlike John Cage's "ASLSP" composition for the organ which has been droning since September 2001, song after song fails to pique any interest. Okay, yes, Mr. Henriksen is an experimentalist at heart, interested in Zen meditation sounds and it's good that he's bridging that school of thought to the tones of trumpets, but make some noise! However, the track "Glacier descent" is a surprise as the music suddenly opens up into a beautiful vocal piece. This album brings up the question of where sound becomes music. Listening to the background noise of traffic jams in the street would be more exciting than this. Then again, it could be a good album after a stressful day, for a massage, or just to fall asleep by.
- Jennifer Ma

PopMatters reviews Arve Henriksen's latest solo work "Strjon": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/arve-henriksen-strjon/

Pitchfork reviews the new Arve Henriksen record "Strjon": http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/42848-strjon
I feel like this is one of those records people are afraid to put down because they're afraid they'll seem stupid. I still need to spend more time with it, but I find it to be unfocused and unengaging so far.

The Guardian reviews the new Arve Henriksen album "Strjon": http://arts.guardian.co.uk/filmandmusic/story/0,,2071605,00.html

All About Jazz on the new Arve Henriksen album "Strjon": http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=25121

Musique Machine reviews the new Arve Henriksen album "Strjon": http://www.musiquemachine.com/reviews/reviews_template.php?id=1143

MIC Norway profiles renown trumpet player/composer/improviser Arve Henriksen: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2007022310290340221103

In semi-related news, Supersilent member and renown trumpet player Arve Henriksen will release his new solo album "Strjon" on February 26 via Rune Grammofon. The record is produced by fellow Supersilent member Helge Sten aka Deathprod and features musical contributions from him on guitar along with Ståle Storløkken on keys.

Rune Grammofon will release Arve Henriksen's new album "Strjon" on February 26. Collaborators on said record include Helge Sten aka Deathprod and Ståle Storløkken of Supersilent and Helge also produced. More info to come.

Boomkat from the UK has quite a few Nordic releases in their top 50 list, including Deathprod at #2 and Arve Henriksen at #3: http://www.boomkat.com/charts.cfm?id=123&gID=5

Pitchfork reviews the solo albums of Supersilent members Arve Henriksen and Ståle Storløkken: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/s/supersilent/chiaroscuro-humcrush.shtml

The Northwest Passage Festival starts tonight here in SF. I'm not sure if I'll make it out to see Maja Ratkje and Arve Henriksen tonignt, but I'm definitely going to Supersilent and Jaga Jazzist tomorrow. If anyone else is thinking of going, it looks like I'll have an extra ticket as my wife is sick and is not so inclined to attend. Let me know.

New releases from Norwegian avant label Rune Grammofon:

Food - Last Supper
The fourth album from this quartet and quite possibly their very best. Brilliantly performed and recorded, it´s highlighting the delicate balance between Ballamy and Henriksen´s melodic and lyrical playing and the electronic soundscapes they fully started to explore on "Veggie". Which speaks volumes when we know that "Veggie" was nominated for a Norwegian grammy and received some outstanding reviews, "this is remarkable, visionary music" (Jazz UK), "a very important work" (Milkfactory, UK). And lets not forget Mats Eilertsen and Thomas Strønen, one of many excellent rhythm sections currently working in Norwegian jazz.

v/a - Runeology 2
Dressed in a Kim Hiorthøy designed slim cardboard sleeve, this 10 track 70 minute collection includes tracks from current albums by Deathprod, Arve Henriksen, Phonophani, Strønen/Storløkken, Scorch Trio and Food as well as tracks from forthcoming releases from Nils Økland, Alog, Shining and Archetti/Wiget. The price is only NOK 49,- (appr EUR 6,-) if you order it at the same time as a you order any ordinary Rune Grammofon cd. Please make a note in the message box at the bottom of the Shop page if you want to add it to your order. Please note that when the total postage is calculated, it counts as an ordinary cd.

It's not exactly news since I posted it all before, but the full dates for the Northwest Passage Festival are now posted online at the official website: http://www.northwestpassagefestival.com/whenwhere.html
To reiterate:

11/03 - Maja Ratkje & Arve Henriksen @ 964 Natoma, San Francisco, CA
11/04 - Jaga Jazzist & Supersilent @ Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA
11/05 - DJ Strangefruit, DJ Bjorn Torske & DJ Kent Horne @ 111 Minna Gallery, San Francisco, CA
11/05 - Supersilent @ Dance Centre, Vancouver (CAN)
11/08 - Supersilent @ Tonic, NYC, NY
11/08 - Jaga Jazzist @ Black Cat, Washington DC