More from By:Larm: Lars Christian Olsen recommends
At the By:Larm Scandinavian music festival last week, It's A Trap caught up with Oslo local Lars Christian Olsen –- the man behind Norwegian label and bassist with the band Leif & The Future –- to ask which bands he thought were hot tips.
"Social Suicide have a great single out on our label. Their melodic hardcore is in the vein of Refused, Some Girls and JR Ewing. They did a shockingly great show, and are definitely growing in my book. But then again, I'm really biased! Check them out on myspace.
The best shows I caught at By:Larm included Kitschy Kitschy Ki-Me-O, a band consisting of members of three known bands to us Norwegians, of which Madrugada is the one you've maybe heard of. I don't know what sparked your mind when you heard the name, but if you thought Quentin Tarantino, you're getting close. It's basically what Black Rebel Motorcycle Club were trying to do with their latest albums, but never quite did. Catchy, riff-laden desert rock infused with gospel, Ennio Morricone background vocals (the soprano version of a theremin). Maybe my new favorite band, if they make records that can match up to that performance. They don't have a myspace I'm afraid, so you're going to have to take my word for it. Their website on the other hand is: www.kitchiekitchiekimeo.com
Another outstanding show was Susanne Sundfør. I've followed her ever since I heard her playing solo with her piano. Solo performances can be dull, but when you have a divine voice unlike any other, and songs in the vein of Radiohead and Björk, the aforementioned is no problem for you. When I heard rumours of her working with Jaga Jazzist's Lars Horntvedt I was pleased, and eagerly anticipating the new material. I was not disappointed, as they had not thought radio hits, they had not thought solely on minimalism, or maximalism for that matter; the concert was a beautiful mesh of electronic beats, string samples, her Rhodes piano, synthesizers, Lars' horns and steel guitars and luscious harmonies by the background vocalists. In the center, always, is Susanne's voice in all its glory. You'll know what I mean when you listen to the track "The brothel" on myspace [or here for our own coverage -Ed.]
My last tip has to be Leif & The Future, which I play the bass in. We released the track "Let you go", which now is on heavy rotation on the radio. It's 80's pop like old U2, Duran Duran, [and] Talk Talk in sweet harmony with Krautrock..."
Interview by Sophy Grimshaw