Captivating Norwegian bands and artists: a new doorway to Nordic music

1:18Lemaitre

Lemaitre – 1:18

Metre is an electropop duo from Norway.

Formed in Oslo in 2010 by Ulrik and Ketil, they began their activities by releasing their first EP, The Friendly Sound.

A track from that EP, 1:18, was featured in a 2013 iPhone 5c commercial, bringing them wider attention.

The band name is said to be derived from Georges Lemaître, the Belgian Catholic priest and astronomer regarded as the proposer of the Big Bang theory.

They signed with Astralwerks in 2014 and are currently based in Los Angeles.

Their sound features laid-back rock beats and dreamy, pop-leaning electronic textures, evoking a soft electronica sensibility.

Alfonso MuskedunderTodd Terje

TODD TERJE – Alfonso Muskedunder (official video)

Todd Terje is a DJ, music producer, and songwriter from Norway.

His sound is characterized by electronic styles such as nu-disco and space disco.

In 2012, he was ranked 17th on Rolling Stone’s list of the 25 DJs Who Rule the Earth.

He co-produced two tracks on Franz Ferdinand’s 2013 album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action—Evil Eye and Stand on the Horizon—and released his first full-length album, It’s Album Time, in 2014.

The artwork is also distinctive and is handled by Norwegian illustrator Bendik Kaltenborn.

Young DreamsYoung Dreams

Young Dreams – Young Dreams

Young Dreams is a five-piece dream pop band from Norway.

They began their activities in 2009 and made their debut in 2013 with the album Between Places, which won the Norwegian Grammy (Spellemann) for Best Indie Album.

Their symphonic, danceable tropical indie-pop sound showcases a uniquely Nordic quality and worldview, and their music has been released via Modular.

Of The City is a single that was released digitally through Blanca Records.

SKYEmilie Nicolas

Emilie Nicolas – Sky (Audio)

Emilie Nicolas is a female singer-songwriter born in 1987 from Bekkestua, Norway.

She released her debut album, Like I’m a Warrior, on Sony Music Entertainment in 2014, and it reached number one on VG-lista, Norway’s record chart.

Sky is a new song released in 2017.

Cajun LunchOST&KJEX

Ost & Kjex – Cajun Lunch

OST & Kjex is an electronic duo from Kolbotn, a suburb of Oslo, Norway, consisting of Petter Haavik and Tore Gjedrem.

They released the studio albums Some, But Not All Cheese, Comes From The Moon in 2004, Cajun Lunch in 2010, and Freedom Wig in 2015.

Cajun Lunch is a 2010 track released on Diynamic Records.

Summer Is Ready (Acoustic at Krossbanen,Norway)Comet Kid

Comet Kid – Summer Is Ready (Acoustic at Krossobanen, Norway)

Comet Kid is a five-piece band from Oslo, Norway, active since 2013, whose music spans folk rock, soul, and pop.

They released the albums Roots in 2014, Forces of Nature in 2015, and Halley in 2016.

The music video for Summer Is Ready, filmed in the fall of 2016 inside the Krossobanen cable car in Rjukan, Norway, features a backdrop of beautiful Nordic nature—distinctively Norwegian scenery that gives it a unique style.

Day& Another DayJaga Jazzist

Jaga Jazzist – Day & Another Day

JAGA JAZZIST (also rendered as Jaga Jazzist; sometimes read as Yaga Yasist in Japanese) is an experimental jazz band formed in Norway in 1994.

Centered around the Hornevvet brothers—Lars, Martin, and Line—the members are each active as musicians and multi-instrumentalists.

Their live performances are acclaimed for blending a wide range of styles, from contemporary music to progressive, rock, jazz, and electronica.

They released their debut album in 1996, and in 2002 they broke into the top 10 of the Norwegian album charts, reaching as high as number 3.

They made their first visit to Japan in 2009 and have since performed at Fuji Rock and Summer Sonic.