Checkpoint Charlie Audio Productions (Thomas Dybdahl, Popface, Helldorado) runs down the various Norwegian acts they are promoting at Poppkomm: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=61441543&blogID=309642184

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Sahara Hotnights - Visit to Vienna
02. TALK 1
03. José González - Down the line
04. Anna Ternheim - Girl laying down
05. The Bear Quartet - The supremes
06. TALK 2
07. New Decade - I guess you ran from something
08. Commando M Pigg - Allt genast
09. Mikkel Metal - Bano
10. TALK 3
11. Johan Hedberg - Nygubbe4
12. Mikko Singh - Toisella puolella
13. Mimas - Thought discuss
14. Fattaru - 100:-
15. TALK 4
16. Sista Sekunden - Jag är aldrig nöjd
17. E.S.T. - Tuesday wonderland
18. Syster Lycklig - Drömgränd
19. TALK 5
20. The End Will Be Kicks - Ass of a friend
21. The Grizzly Twister - Tigers made of paper
22. Samuel Jackson Five - Easily misunderstood
23. Grande Roses - Dead town
24. TALK 6
25. Thomas Dybdahl - B A part
26. Njurmännen - Cold meat industry
27. Tobias Hellkvist - Moment at ven
28. TALK 7
29. David Sandström Overdrive - Here's for summer
30. Randy - Freedom song
31. Kalle J - Vart stack du?
32. The Flaming Sideburns - Bad trip
33. TALK 8
34. The Bell - I am history
35. Lack - Pessimist poetry
36. The State of Floral Beings - Andy
37. Fireside - Problem (to you)
38. TALK 9
39. Firefox AK - Love to run
40. Manes - Cinder alley
41. Lukestar - Untitled
42. TALK 10
43. Oskar Schönning - S

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Postgirobygget - Tidløs
02. Trond-Viggo Torgersen - Det du kan + noe rart & noe nytt
03. Diverse artister - Melodi Grand Prix Junior 2007
04. The Kids - Hits fra Kids
05. Superfamily - Warszawa
06. Bare Egil Band - Sanger fra Bare Egil By
07. Turbonegro - Retox
08. Susanne Sundfør - Susanne Sundfør
09. Trang Fødsel - Hammock
10. Vamp - I full symfoni (med KORK)
11. Magnet - The Simple Life
12. BigBang - Too Much Yang
13. Ni liv - Telemarkarna
14. Malin - Malin på månen
15. Thomas Dybdahl - Science
16. Heidi Hauge - Some broken hearts
17. Mira Craig - Tribal dreams
18. Rasmus og værdens beste band - Kyssing er heslig
19. Vigdis Eidsvåg - Eg undras
20. El Cuero - El Cuero

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Postgirobygget - Tidløs
02. Trond-Viggo Torgersen - Det du kan + noe rart & noe nytt
03. Bare Egil Band - Sanger fra Bare Egil By
04. The Kids - Hits fra Kids
05. Diverse artister - Melodi Grand Prix Junior 2007
06. Trang Fødsel - Hammock
07. Superfamily - Warszawa
08. Turbonegro - Retox
09. Susanne Sundfør - Susanne Sundfør
10. BigBang - Too Much Yang
11. Vamp - I full symfoni (med KORK)
12. Magnet - The Simple Life
13. Kim Hiortøy - My last day
14. Thomas Dybdahl - Science
15. Mira Craig - Tribal dreams
16. The Moving Oos - Peace & Love
17. Malin - Malin på månen
18. Heidi Hauge - Some broken hearts
19. Heroes & Zeros - Strange Constellations
20. Jonas Fjeld og Chatham C. - Amerikabesøk

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Diverse artister - Melodi Grand Prix Junior 2007
02. Postgirobygget - Tidløs
03. Turbonegro - Retox
04. The Kids - Hits fra Kids
05. Trang Fødsel - Hammock
06. Mira Craig - Tribal dreams
07. Susanne Sundfør - Susanne Sundfør
08. Heidi Hauge - Some broken hearts
09. Superfamily - Warszawa
10. BigBang - Too Much Yang
11. Jonas Fjeld og Chatham C. - Amerikabesøk
12. Vømlingan - Vømmølminner
13. Magnet - The Simple Life
14. Thomas Dybdahl - Science
15. Marit Larsen - Under The Surface
16. Heroes & Zeros - Strange Constellations
17. Silje Nergaard - Darkness out of blue
18. Malin - Malin på månen
19. Datarock - Datarock
20. 120 Days - 120 Days

The National Bank, the Norwegian all-star act featuring Thomas Dybdahl and members of Jaga Jaggist will record a new album in September for release in Feburary 2008. Look for them to tour Europe in October as well.

Also via MIC Norway comes word that Thomas Dybdahl will do a few acoustic shows on the US East Coast in mid-July: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2007062115073254222018

Also at PopMatters, a review of the US release of Thomas Dybdahl's latest "Science": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/39489/thomas-dybdahl-science/

The Eardrums music blog has a nice feature on the various music videos nominated for the 30th Norwegian Short Film Festival: http://eardrumsmusic.com/2007/06/11/music-on-film-norwegian-music-videos-nominated-for-the-30th-norwegian-short-film-festival/
Featured artists include Lionheart Brothers, 120 Days, Hanne Hukkelberg, Thomas Dybdahl, Draumir, Superfamily and more.

Dagavisen is counting down the top 30 Norwegian albums of all-time: http://www.dagsavisen.no/kultur/musikk/article293966.ece
Summary of what's posted so far:

30. Turboneger - Apocalypse Dudes
29. Tre Så Kinesere - 365 Fri
28. Darkthrone - A Blaze In The Northern Sky
27. Madrugada - The Nightly Desease
26. Kung Fu Girls - This Is The Kung Fu Beat
25. Sissy Wish - You May Breathe
24. Lillemor - Lokkemann
23. Terje Rypdal - Bleak House
22. a-ha - Hunting High An Low
21. Thomas Dybdahl - That Great October Sound

Micke from Sweden (aka Micke Lohse of Atomic Swing) will be going into the studio on June 10 to record a new album, once again working with Janove Ottesen of Kaizers Orchestra as producer. Other musical contributors will include Børge Fjordheim (Cloroform), Sjur Miljeteig (The Leather Fashion), John Lilja (Jackman, Thomas Dybdahl) and Morten Abel. The working title is "No exception to the rule".

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Dimmu Borgir - In Sorte Diaboli
02. Tone Damli Aaberge - Sweet Fever
03. TNT - The New Territory
04. Susanne Sundfør - Susanne Sundfør
05. BigBang - Too Much Yang
06. Magnet - The Simple Life
07. Vidar Busk and the Voo Doodz - Jookbox Charade
08. Tord Gustavsen Trio - Being There
09. Jonas Fjeld og Chatham C. - Amerikabesøk
10. D.D.E. - No går det så det suse
11. Heroes & Zeros - Strange Constellations
12. Steinar Albrigtsen - Moments of Peace
13. Silje Nergaard - Darkness out of blue
14. Thomas Dybdahl - Science
15. Finn Kalvik - Komplett Klassisk Kalvik
16. My Midnight Creeps - Histamin
17. Mayhem - Ordo Ad Chao
18. Kristin Asbjørnsen - Wayfaring Stranger - A Spiritual Songbook
19. Shit City - God bless our home
20. Jokke & Valentinerne - Prisen for popen

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Dimmu Borgir - In Sorte Diaboli
02. BigBang - Too Much Yang
03. Susanne Sundfør - Susanne Sundfør
04. Magnet - The Simple Life
05. Tord Gustavsen Trio - Being There
06. D.D.E. - No går det så det suse
07. Christel Alsos - Closing The Distance
08. Jonas Fjeld og Chatham C. - Amerikabesøk
09. Heroes & Zeros - Strange Constellations
10. Finn Kalvik - Komplett Klassisk Kalvik
11. Steinar Albrigtsen - Moments of Peace
12. Silje Nergaard - Darkness out of blue
13. Mayhem - Ordo Ad Chao
14. Rune Rudberg - Rett fra sofaen
15. Thomas Dybdahl - Science
16. Lomsk - Amerikabrevet
17. My Midnight Creeps - Histamin
18. Jokke & Valentinerne - Prisen for popen
19. Kristin Asbjørnsen - Wayfaring Stranger - A Spiritual Songbook
20. Röyksopp - The Understanding

MP3: Christel Alsos - What you gotta do

I can't help it. I see an album cover like this and I immediately brace myself for some weak MOR bullshit. That's usually what you get with a headshot of a pretty face. Maybe some watered-down country at best. However, as I'm sure you can surmise considering I'm posting about it today, that is most definitely not the case. Christel Alsos is a Norwegian singer/songwriter with the restrained elegance of Sophie Zelmani and the angelic intonation of Jeff Buckley. On the other hand, her voice is a bit darker and huskier than either of them, so sometimes she gives off a slightly more soulful vibe. All the more reason that I'm incredibly disappointed her duet with fellow Norwegian artist Thomas Dybdahl appears to have been removed from YouTube.
I don't listen to many of the chart-topping Scandinavian artists because I want to; I do it as a public service, because I feel I have to. Let me tell you, it can be dreary. Sometimes, such as when I discover someone like Christel Alsos, it's totally worth it.

Christel Alsos - What you gotta do

MIC Norway profiles singer/songwriter Thomas Dybdahl ahead of his next European tour: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2007041913470134153810