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April 30, 2006
Loppemarked
Up until this moment, North has been divided into four categories: "Norway," which gives general information about the country I'm living in; "Norwegian art," which informs you about Norway's art traditions; "Norwegian music," which describes some of the great music this country has produced; and "life experiences," which is directed at that section of the reading public who once knew the author and wonder to themselves whatever happened to that vile unseemly idiot if he didn't end up drowned in a swamp, as would have been appropriate.
Now a new category is instigated! "Street level" involves observations of everyday life in Norway, particularly Oslo, and attempts to find the interesting in the quotidian. This week, I get down with the bargain-hunters and look at an example of the flea market (loppemarked) phenomenon.
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Posted by barry at 11:28 EM
April 23, 2006
Wizhiwig (at least to my ears)
It all began on Thursday night when I received text messages from the band to say that despite having been on the same flight, they were coming from Oslo airport on different trains, and that one of them had been kicked out of first class. When they arrived in the city and reconvened, they promptly stole a shopping trolley.
This weekend I was responsible for bringing the Irish band Rollers/Sparkers to Oslo, for two shows: one at Mir with Salvatore and the other at Sound of Mu with the Center of the Universe. I like the idea of independent music scenes from different countries cross-pollinating. Because of my former far-too-many-years on the Dublin music scene, I was able to select/pluck an act from Dublin to come to Oslo and play with local heroes.
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Posted by barry at 8:17 EM
April 16, 2006
Me: update
Hello everybody. There have been some changes in my life recently. In addition to my involvement in Oslo's cultural life at Sound of Mu, I now have a second job, working part-time at Norsk Utenrikspolitisk Institutt (NUPI), the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. I work on the UN programme there, and it's in this imposing building. I've also moved flat. I still live in the same building as Sound of Mu, but I have moved across the yard (or through the loft, depending on your choice of route) to another apartment.
Posted by barry at 3:07 EM
April 9, 2006
Grieg
I was walking along Karl Johan the other day at noon, and heard church bells playing "In the Hall of the Mountain King" (I Dovregubbens Hall) by Edvard Grieg (1843-1907). It is not unusual to hear his melodies given such "official" status, as he is to date still Norway's most well-known composer, and he was the prime example of nationalism in music in the late 19th century. Countless other composers followed him in using their national folk melodies as source material in composition.
Posted by barry at 12:00 EM
April 2, 2006
Nils Økland
Nils Økland is perhaps the most significant folk musician playing in Norway today. His instrument is the traditional Hardanger fiddle but he approaches it in a completely new way. For instance, he uses tunings for the instrument that have never been part of traditional music. He also sometimes mixes folk with jazz, classical and improvised music, and has worked with many musicians outside the folk world. He plays on Christian Wallumrød Ensemble's A Year From Easter, for example, and he will be heard on Salvatore's soon-to-be-released next album.
His sophistication does not interfere with the pure simplicity of the sound, however. All the music is played acoustically, with beautiful natural reverb, always recorded in churches.
Continue reading "Nils Økland"
Posted by barry at 12:33 EM