FSC Norway

[Malagant]

FSC September 2012 - Norway

FSC Norway - September 2012 - Tone Damli feat. Eric Saade - Imagine ​

Representing Norway in September 2012 is the popular Norwegian pop-singer Tone Damli featuring the Swedish pop-star Eric Saade on the Scandinavian Pop-song “Imagine”. Here is some more information about them.

Tone Damli Aaberge (born 1988 in Sogndal, Norway) - artist name Tone Damli - is a Norwegian pop-singer who became well known nationally in 2005 when she came 2nd in the Norwegian pop-IDOL show on Norwegian TV 2. She was interested in music from an early age and attended a local high school (studying music, dance and theater) in 2004.

Coming 2nd to Norwegian pop-singer Jorun Stiansen in the aforementioned Norwegian pop-IDOL-show in 2005, she quickly became popular, often featuring in the media, for her music combined with her gorgeous looks and charisma. In December 2005 she released her debut-album called “Bliss”. The album sold to Gold in Norway and included a very popular radio-hit, “The Bliss Song”. Her 2nd album was “Sweet Fever” in 2007. The single “Fever” became another radio-hit for Tone. In 2009 came the album “I Know” which included the song “Butterflies”, the very popular song Tone performed in the Norwegian MGP that same year and which came 2nd after Alexander Rybak’s “Fairytale”, and also the title-track “I Know”, the song which represented Norway in FSC May 2009.

In 2010 Tone released her next album called “Cocool”. It included several popular songs like “Stuck In My Head”, “Crazy Cool” and “I Love You”.



Tone Damli: Album Discography

Bliss (2005)
Sweet Fever (2007)
I Know (2009)
Cocool (2010)
Looking Back [Compilation Album] (April 2012)


In April 2012 Tone released her latest album called “Looking Back”, a compilation of her greatest hits together with a few new songs. The 1st single from the album, “Look Back”, became another popular song for her, gaining a fair amount of radio-play. A 2nd song, newly written, called “Imagine” which featured the Swedish pop-star Eric Saade on co-vocals, was released in April/May 2012 and became a popular summer-hit. “Imagine” is the song we (the Norwegian jury) have chosen as the Norwegian entry here in FSC September 2012.

Eric Saade is a Swedish pop-singer of recent Melodifestivalen and ESC-fame. He grew up in Sweden with his Swedish mother and Lebanese father. He was interested in music from an early age and has been writing songs since the age of thirteen. He was a member of the boyband “What’s Up!” for two years until 2009 before leaving to focus on his solo career. He got a record contract with the Swedish record label “Roxy Recordings” in August 2009 and then in December of the same year he released his 1st single “Sleepless”.

In February 2010 Eric took part in the Swedish Melodifestivalen coming 3rd with the song “Manboy”. The song was written by Fredrik Kempe. The song topped the Swedish pop-charts and Eric Saade came to the attention of the Swedish public. In early 2010, Eric won one Scandipop Award in the category ‘Brightest New Hope for 2010’. In May 2010 he released his 1st album called “Masquerade” and it became a chart-success spawning several singles. In February 2011 Eric participated for the 2nd time in Melodifestivalen, this time with the song “Popular” (another Kempe-song). It won the contest and represented Sweden in ESC 2011 where it came a very good 3rd. “Popular” went on to become a chart-success in Sweden and abroad. Later in 2011 he released two albums called “Saade Vol. 1” and “Saade Vol. 2” as well as several singles. In 2012 he alas featured on Tone Damli’s new pop-song “Imagine”.

Our entry for FSC September 2012, “Imagine”, is a catchy and melodious Scandinavian Pop-song and Summer 2012-hit, performed well by Tone Damli featuring Eric Saade. We are happy to enter Tone Damli for the 2nd time in the FSC for Norway.

Below are the English lyrics for the song. We hope you’ll enjoy the Norwegian entry for September!

Tone Damli feat. Eric Saade - Imagine

Every step that I take
It's like miles from where I wanna be
Miles away from you and me, yeah

Here I am
Standing hopeless with no plan
'Cause I loved another man, yeah

She doesn't know that I am picturing you
Any day I'd walk a hundred miles in his shoes
No matter how I try
You're still inside my mind, my mind

Everytime we're touching, everytime we're kissing
You're the one I Imagine, you're the one I Imagine
Everytime he holds me, I rather be lonely
You're the one I Imagine, you're the one I Imagine

It should've been us, It could've been you
It would've been love, with a perfect view
Everytime we're touching, everytime we're kissing
You're the one I Imagine, you're the one I Imagine

Every breath that I take
It's like breathing underwater
But easy when I call out your name

Sad to say
He can never take your place
You will never be replaced

She doesn't know that I'm still thinking of you
Any day I'd run a thousand miles in his shoes
No matter how I try
I can't get you out of my mind, my mind

Everytime we're touching, everytime we're kissing
You're the one I Imagine, you're the one I Imagine
Everytime he holds me, I rather be lonely
You're the one I Imagine, you're the one I Imagine

It should've been us, It could've been you
It would've been love, with a perfect view
Everytime we're touching, everytime we're kissing
You're the one I Imagine, you're the one I Imagine

--
It’s in every little thing you do

You're running around in my head

And I can't forget about you

I'd rather be lonely instead
--

Everytime we're touching, everytime we're kissing
You're the one I Imagine, you're the one I Imagine

Everytime he holds me, I rather be lonely
You're the one I Imagine, you're the one I Imagine
It should've been us, It could've been you
It would've been love, with a perfect view

Everytime we're touching, everytime we're kissing
You're the one I Imagine, you're the one I Imagine

-M​

 

[Malagant]

FSC October 2012 - Norway

FSC Norway - October 2012 - Frida Amundsen - You Are Not Alone ​

Representing Norway in October 2012 is the talented young Norwegian singer-songwriter Frida Amundsen. Here is some more information about her.

Frida Waage Amundsen (born 9th September 1992) - artist name Frida Amundsen - is a Norwegian singer-songwriter from Vaksdal (near Bergen) in Western Norway. She enjoyed music and singing from an early age and her parents quickly understood that their daughter had a special musical talent.

In autumn 2009, not yet 18 of age, she signed a record contract with EMI Music Norway and spent the following two years writing songs for her debut-album as she finished high school. Called “September Blue”, it was released in April 2012. It was preceeded, however, by her 1st single “Closer” in May 2011. The song got considerable airplay on Norwegian radio stations throughout 2011. It was written and produced by Lars K. Hustoft of Crystal Air Music and by Yngve Highland. Frida Amundsen subsequently got airplay also abroad and - according to sources - climbed the charts in Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark.

In January 2012 Frida released her 2nd single, a beautiful piano-ballad called “You Are Not Alone, and this the song the Norwegian jury has chosen as the Norwegian entry here in FSC October 2012.

A 3rd song called “Rush”, an uptempo number, was released in March 2012, and then - as mentioned - in April 2012 her album “September Blue” - which included all her singles and several other songs in her singer-songwriter \ pop style - was finally released to good critical acclaim.


Frida Amundsen: Discography

Closer (Single, May 2011)
You Are Not Alone (Single, January 2012)
Rush (Single, March 2012)
September Blue (Album, April 2012)


Frida has promoted her new album in Norway in the past months to the joy of her growing number of fans - and her songs are popular on the radio and on the Internet. We will without doubt hear more from this talented young Norwegian singer-songwriter in the years to come.

The Norwegian entry for FSC October 2012, “You Are Not Alone”, is a beautiful melodious piano-ballad - music by Frida Amundsen herself & Lars Hustoft - with tender caring lyrics, warmly performed by Frida. The Norwegian jury is happy to enter Frida Amundsen in the FSC for Norway.

Below are the English lyrics for the song. Hope you’ll enjoy the Norwegian entry for October!

Frida Amundsen - You Are Not Alone

When the weight of the world
Is on my mind and on my shoulders
And I can’t seem to find the peace I need
When the burned and battered ground
Beneath my feet is getting colder
That’s when you call me close to you

Whenever darkness falls
And I feel like I am drowning
When every breath of air is hard to draw
When my heart feels like a stone
And I’m struggling on my own
I turn around and find my strength in you

You’re alone
You are one in a million
Everyday in a world on your own
When the battlefield is roaring with silence
Just remember, When you face the unknown
You are not alone

Your light of love surrounded me
Even in my darkest hour
Your strength was like a tower tall and true
The sacrifice you made
The price you paid to see me through
I owe the better part of me to you

You’re alone
You are one in a million
Everyday in a world on your own
When the battlefield is roaring with silence
Just remember, When you face the unknown
You are not alone

You are not alone

We’re alone
We are one in a million
Everyday in a world on our own
When the battlefield is roaring with silence
Just remember, When you face the unknown
You are not alone

You are not alone
You are not alone

-M​

 

[chontono]

This month´s song is touchy and emotional, but it´s true it doesn´t come in at first. So, I recommend people to listen to it quite a few times. It improves!

 

[Malagant]

This month´s song is touchy and emotional, but it´s true it doesn´t come in at first. So, I recommend people to listen to it quite a few times. It improves!

Thank you, glad you like our song by Frida Amundsen. This kind of singer-songwriter ballad need indeed often be listened to a few times to find the treasure hidden within

 

[CypriotGirl]

This month´s song is touchy and emotional, but it´s true it doesn´t come in at first. So, I recommend people to listen to it quite a few times. It improves!

I agree! It grew on me after 1-2 more listenings!!

 

[Malagant]

I agree! It grew on me after 1-2 more listenings!!

Glad the song is growing on you

 

[Malagant]

FSC November 2012 - Norway

FSC Norway - November 2012 - Alexander Rybak - Leave Me Alone​

Representing Norway in FSC November 2012 is the Norwegian ESC-Winner Alexander Rybak, who with this Electronic Folk-pop song takes part for the 3rd time in the FSC for Norway (since July 2009). Here is some more information about him.

Alexander Rybak was born in Minsk, Belarus on 13th May 1986. When he was 4 years old he and his family moved to Norway and Nesodden just outside of Oslo. He has lived in Norway ever since and has made his music-career here in Norway. At the age of five, Alexander began to play the piano and violin, but as time went by he focused more and more on mastering the violin (being tutored first by his father, later by professional music-teachers and professors in music-academies). Both his parents were musicians; his mother a classical pianist, his father a classical violinist. In many ways Alexander was destined to become a musician and entertainer. As he has stated in later years: "I always liked to entertain and somehow that is my vocation".

Alexander was a student at the Barratt Due Institute of Music in Oslo for many years. He has attained music-scholarships, has studied abroad and has played with many established Norwegian musicians, at music-festivals and with symphony orchestras. He has also taken part in musical theatre productions, perhaps most well known is his role and acclaimed performance as the fiddler in Oslo Nye Teater’s production of ”Fiddler on the Roof”. His popular breakthrough and what made him come to the Norwegian people’s attention was his winning the talent competition ”Kjempesjansen”, hosted by the Norwegian broadcaster NRK, in 2006.

His international and commercial breakthrough came, of course, with his triumphant victory for Norway with the song ”Fairytale” in the 54th Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in 2009 in Moscow, Russia. The song, written and composed by Alexander himself and inspired by Norwegian folk-music but also (Bela)Russian rhythms, was performed together with the modern folk dance company Frikar - and having first cruised to victory in the Norwegian MGP it then went on to win a landslide victory in the international ESC-final with a record-breaking 387 points.

Alexander Rybak's first album called ”Fairytales” was released shortly after his ESC-win. It included besides ”Fairytale” several other songs in the same style, among them ”Roll With The Wind”, the song that participated for Norway in FSC July 2009. The album got great reviews in several Norwegian newspapers (especially VG), though not all reviewers were entirely convinced. The album went to nr 1 on the Norwegian album charts and it was a commercial success in many other European countries also.

In June 2010 Alexander released his second album, called “No Boundaries”. The album showed a new side of Alexander, with songs in many different musical styles, but it also included “Europe’s Skies”, his popular hit-single in his more traditional Folk-pop style, which subsequently became the Norwegian entry in FSC August 2010.

In 2011 he released the album "Visa Vid Vindens Ängar”, a musical collaboration with the Swedish poet, singer and songwriter Mats Paulson whom he describes as "a legend and a great friend". In 2012 he released a new music video for his Russian song "Strela Amura" (a Russian version of one of his previous singles, “Oah”), as well as the Pop-duet “I’ll Show You” with Paula Seling (of Romanian ESC-fame) in spring/summer 2012. In the following months he ‘toured’ around Europe with Paula, promoting their song on tv and in different events.

In October 2012 Alexander Rybak then released a new single - in a style that can be called ‘Electronic Folk-pop’ - called “Leave Me Alone” (with lyrics describing a, for Alexander, real-life stalker). This is the song the Norwegian jury has chosen as the Norwegian entry here in FSC November 2012.

A Christmas-album (“Christmas Tales”) will also be released before December this year.

There is no doubt that Alexander Rybak is a very talented musician and artist. He has travelled all over Europe and Russia/Belarus in the past three years promoting his work, playing in countless ESC NF-intervals, concerts, tv-shows, promotion-events etc. The question arises, however, whether, perhaps, he has taken on too much and should slow down his extreme schedule for his own health’s sake. His advisors are aware of this, but only time will tell what he will do. Alexander is one of a kind, that is for certain, and his many fans and admirers all over Europe appreciate his talent, his exuberant energy and his constant enthusiasm.

The Norwegian entry for FSC November 2012, “Leave Me Alone”, is a melodious Electronic Folk-pop-song that is, perhaps, a little different in style than Alexander’s usual songs (a touch more ‘electronic’) but still clearly an Alexander Rybak-song with his distinct vocals and catchy fiddle-play. The Norwegian jury is happy to enter Alexander Rybak - for the 3rd time - in the FSC for Norway.

Below are the English lyrics for the song. Hope you’ll enjoy the Norwegian entry for November!

Alexander Rybak - Leave Me Alone

It started with a phone I stupidly answered
You said you got my number from one of the dancers
You waited right outside, you had something of mine
But then I saw your eyes, your crazy eyes

Now you’ve got me into something very sick and twisted
An evil kind of game I didn't know existed
You travel overseas, to terrorize me
And I don't understand, why can't you let me be?

Believe me when I say, you stupid fool
You're scaring me to death, that's not cool
Why won't you leave me alone? Just leave me alone
You're crazy, leave me alone

I'm begging for you to stop and think this through
It's time you started playing with someone new
Why won't you leave me alone? Just leave me alone
You're crazy, leave me alone

You're scaring mom and dad, scaring off my girlfriend
You're waiting by my door early in the morning
I've told you many times, don't follow me at night
You're poisoning my life. Just tell me why?

Believe me when I say, you stupid fool
You're scaring me to death, that's not cool
Why won't you leave me alone? Just leave me alone
You're crazy leave me alone

I'm begging for you to stop and think this through
It's time you started playing with someone new
Why won't you leave me alone? Just leave me alone
You're crazy, leave me alone

Believe me when I say, you stupid fool
You're scaring me to death, that's not cool
Why won't you leave me alone? Just leave me alone
You're crazy leave me alone

I'm begging for you to stop and think this through
It's time you started playing with someone new
Why won't you leave me alone? Just leave me alone
You're crazy, leave me alone

-M​

 

[Gera11]

Re: FSC November 2012 - Norway

Very very very very very great choice, Norway!

The question arises, however, whether, perhaps, he has taken on too much and should slow down his extreme schedule for his own health’s sake

Yep, he has an extremly busy schedule :? For example this month he has 10 events, and in December from 1 until 22 he has christmas concerts. But even if he has a busy schedule, he's always close to his fans ; after each event he organize a meet greet with fans from that country.

as well as the Pop-duet “I’ll Show You” with Paula Seling (of Romanian ESC-fame) in spring/summer 2012.

Yup . The song was released in Romania, on a morning show called "Neatza cu Razvan si Dani". We intended to send in FSC, but did not came No. 1 that month.

 

[Malagant]

Re: FSC November 2012 - Norway

Very very very very very great choice, Norway!

Thank you, happy to hear you love the Norwegian entry by Alexander Rybak!

Yep, he has an extremly busy schedule :? For example this month he has 10 events, and in December from 1 until 22 he has christmas concerts. But even if he has a busy schedule, he's always close to his fans ; after each event he organize a meet greet with fans from that country.

I agree with what you say, he is great with his fans!

Yup . The song was released in Romania, on a morning show called "Neatza cu Razvan si Dani". We intended to send in FSC, but did not came No. 1 that month.

That song was actually in contention for representing Norway as well.. Good luck with Paula this month!

 

[CypriotGirl]

Re: FSC November 2012 - Norway

That song was actually in contention for representing Norway as well.. Good luck with Paula this month!

Unlucky song!

You know, we mods had a discussion for what to do when both of you submitted Paula Seling for November!

 

[Malagant]

Re: FSC November 2012 - Norway

Unlucky song!

You know, we mods had a discussion for what to do when both of you submitted Paula Seling for November!

Yup.. I can imagine there was a discussion..

Was deliberating between the two Alexander Rybak-songs for Norway in November. I like both songs and first ended up going for the duet, but then some days later I changed my mind (having no idea that Romania were going with Paula this month) and decided to instead go for Alexander's new single Well, seems we got both artists in the FSC anyway

 

[Malagant]

FSC December 2012 - Norway

FSC Norway - December 2012 - Morten Harket - Just Believe It​

Representing Norway in FSC December 2012 is the well known Norwegian Pop and Rock-singer Morten Harket, who was formerly lead singer of the famed Norwegian band a-ha. With this melodious Synth-Pop song Morten Harket takes part for the 1st time as a solo artist in the FSC for Norway (he has taken part twice previously with a-ha). Here is some more information about him.

Morten Harket (born 14th September 1959 in Kongsberg, Norway) is best known for his many years as lead singer of the internationally successful Norwegian Synth-Pop/Rock band a-ha. He has, however, also had a solo career on the side and since a-ha split in late 2010 he has focused totally on his solo career. He is a singer with an impressive vocal range and is in many people’s opinion one of the most accomplished male singers in the history of Norwegian music.


1) Morten Harket’s career as part of a-ha

a-ha was a Synth-Pop/Rock band from Norway that was founded in 1982 by Morten Harket (vocals), Magne Furuholmen (keyboards), and Pål Waaktaar(-Savoy) (guitars). The trio left Norway for London in order to make a career in the music business. They got a record contract and their first international hit was the Synth-Pop song ”Take On Me” in 1985. It was released with a new, groundbreaking video (combining pencil-sketch animation with real flowing pictures) which gained heavy MTV-rotation, and ultimately sold 1.5 million copies worldwide in one week and 7-9 million copies worldwide in all, an unheard of commercial success for a Norwegian band! a-ha became the first Norwegian band to have a number 1 song in the USA.

In the years that followed a-ha continued to release albums with chart-success, simultaneously changing their musical style more toward alternative rock, but in time the band-members also started their own side-projects and in periods (especially after 1994) focused mostly on solo projects. In 2005 a-ha released their 8th studio album “Analogue”, and their final studio album “Foot of the Mountain”, which showed the band returning to their Synth-Pop roots, came in 2009. In October 2009, a-ha announced that they would disband after a ‘world wide’ Farewell Tour in 2010. Their final concert was in Oslo, Norway in December 2010.

During their active years in the music business a-ha received 7 Spellemannprisen Awards (Norwegian Grammys) as well as several international music awards, among them the ‘2010 World Music Awards: World's Best Selling Scandinavian Artist Award’.

As for the Forum Song Contest, they took part for Norway in FSC October 2009 (“Foot of the Mountain”) and in FSC November 2010 (“Butterfly, Butterfly [The Last Hurrah]”, a-ha’s final single).


a-ha: Album-Discography:

Hunting High and Low (1985)
Scoundrel Days (1986)
Stay on These Roads (1988)
East of the Sun, West of the Moon (1990)
Memorial Beach (1993)
Minor Earth Major Sky (2000)
Lifelines (2002)
Analogue (2005)
Foot of the Mountain (2009)
25 - The Collection (2010)


2) Morten Harket’s career as a solo artist

In 1993 Morten Harket performed a cover of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Crewe/Gaudio on the ‘Coneheads’ movie soundtrack. After a-ha went on a ‘hiatus’ in 1994, Morten Harket pursued a solo career, and has so far released 5 studio albums. Two of those albums were sung in Norwegian, but his 1995 album “Wild Seed” became more of an international success (probably due to its English lyrics). Morten Harket worked with Håvard Rem, a Norwegian poet, to write most of the songs. "A Kind of Christmas Card" and "Spanish Steps" were the most successful numbers. He has also worked with many other Scandinavian artists such as Bjørn Eidsvåg, Silje Nergaard, Oslo Gospel Choir, Espen Lind and Carola Häggkvist.

He released another solo album, “Letter from Egypt”, in 2008 via Universal Records. The album gained fair reviews and included some popular radio-hits (among them “Darkspace”).

His latest solo album called “Out Of My Hands”, which received mixed reviews in the press but gained national chart-success, was released in April 2012. It included the single “Lightning” as well as a cover of Espen Lind’s popular song “Scared of Heights”. It also included the song “Just Believe It”, a catchy Synth-Pop number with melodious beats, and this is the song the Norwegian FSC-Jury has chosen as the Norwegian entry here in FSC December 2012.


Morten Harket: Album-Discography (Solo Artist):

Poetenes Evangelium (1993)
Wild Seed (1995)
Vogts Villa (1996)
Letter from Egypt (2008)
Out Of My Hands (April 2012)


Morten Harket (and his fellow a-ha members Magne Furuholmen and Paul Waaktaar Savoy), was recently appointed Knight of the 1st Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav for his contribution to Norwegian music over the years. The Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav is granted as a reward for distinguished services to one’s country and mankind. The official ceremony took place on 6th November 2012.

Morten Harket is a hugely talented musician, songwriter and singer - with interests also in spiritual areas, philosophy, art and various causes - from whom we will without doubt hear more in the coming years.

The Norwegian entry for FSC December 2012, “Just Believe It”, is a melodious Synth-Pop song partially reminiscent of a-ha’s retro-sounding Synth-Pop songs of former years but also with its own beats, style and rhythm. In this song Morten Harket, moreover, shows his impressive vocal range and his distinct voice. The Norwegian jury is happy to enter Morten Harket for the 1st time as a solo artist in the FSC for Norway.

Below are the English lyrics for the song. Hope you’ll enjoy the Norwegian entry for December!

Morten Harket - Just Believe It

Turn it on its head
Pin it to the ground
Throw it at the wind
Make it come around
You're on, You're on

Where are you going my love, tonight
My dreams, tonight
You're on, You're on

Don't stop now
Where are you going
Where do you lead me
Don't stop now
What do you reach for
We will reach it
Whatever you wish for
Just believe it

All is in the eye
Train it to a sound
Coming from inside
Turn it all around
You're on, You're on

Where are we going my love, tonight
My dreams, tonight
You're on, You're on

Don't stop now
Where are you going
Where do you lead me
Don't stop now
What do you reach for
We will reach it
Whatever you wish for
Just believe it

---
Don't you tell me lies
Lost without a limit
Cuts you down to size
Nothing human in it

Don't you tell me lies
Lost without a limit
Cuts you down to size
Nothing human in it
---

Don't stop now
Where are you going
Where do you lead me
Don't stop now
What do you reach for
We will reach it
Whatever you wish for

Just believe it

-M​

 

[Malagant]

FSC January 2013 - Norway

FSC Norway - January 2013 - Helene Bøksle - Ved havet​

Representing Norway in FSC January 2013 is the popular and accomplished Norwegian Folk/Folk-Pop singer Helene Bøksle. With this Norwegian Folk-ballad, performed in Norwegian dialect, she takes part for the 3rd time in the FSC for Norway. Here is some more information about her.

Helene Margrete Bøksle, or just Helene Bøksle as is her artist-name, was born in 1981 in the Kristiansand-area of southern Norway. A musical talent from an early age, she gained national fame in 2003 when she took part in the Norwegian talent-tv-show “Kjempesjansen” and came a good 4th. In 2004 her musical and theatrical concept called “Elverhøy” was realised and an album of the same name was subsequently released in 2006 to much success both commercially and critically. Helene’s own brand of Norwegian Folk-pop music, with folk-music rhythms and instrumentation (including the famous Norwegian Hardanger-fiddle, the Hardingfele) and also featuring her distinct beautiful crystal-clear voice, became very popular and she quickly established herself as one of the main Norwegian artists in this musical genre.

In 2008 she contributed - with success and acclaim - with her vocals on several songs on the Norwegian-produced MMORPG “Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures” music Soundtrack. In early 2009 she then released her 2nd album called “Morild” which also became a commercial and popular success. In November 2009 Helene Bøksle released a Christmas album called “Det hev ei rose sprunge”. This album consisted mostly of traditional Christmas songs but it also included the song “Lys Til Nattsvart Jord” (“Light to a Darkened Earth”), a beautiful new song written and composed especially for Helene Bøksle by Elin Nygaard, which was the Norwegian entry in FSC December 2009. She re-released her Christmas album in late 2010 and the album now included 2 added songs.

In February 2011 Helene participated in the Norwegian MGP with her Folk-Pop single “Vardlokk”. She reached the MGP Final but did not make it to the top 4. Her song and performance was appreciated though, as was subsequently seen by fan-reaction both nationally and abroad. In the summer of 2011, in June, Helene Bøksle’s single “Hildring” was released for digital download. This was another beautiful Folk-Pop song of hers, and it was the song chosen as the Norwegian entry in FSC November 2011.


Helene Bøksle: Discography

2006: Elverhøy
2008: Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures (MMORPG Soundtrack)
2009: Morild
2009: Det hev ei rose sprunge (Christmas album)
2010: Det hev ei rose sprunge (re-release, including 2 added songs)
2011: Vardlokk (digital single, January 2011)
2011: Hildring (digital single, June 2011)
2012: Ved havet (digital single, August 2012)


In the spring/summer of 2012 Helene Bøksle worked with the Norwegian composer Tove Kragset on a couple of songs, among them the newly written Folk-ballad “Ved havet” (“By the ocean”) with music by Tove Kragset and lyrics by Cecilie Larsen. “Ved havet” was released as a digital download in August 2012 and was performed by Helene on a few local concerts in the following months. This is the song the Norwegian Jury has chosen as the Norwegian entry in FSC January 2013.

In November and December 2012 Helene performed once again at selected Church Concerts around Norway and many people were overjoyed at seeing her and listening to her crystal-clear and beautiful singing voice in concert. It is rumoured that a new CD-album by Helene Bøksle may be released later in 2013, but this is as of yet unconfirmed.

Helene Bøksle is without doubt one of Norway’s greatest and most beloved Folk/Folk-Pop singers and from whom we will without doubt hear more in the years to come.

The Norwegian entry for FSC January 2013, “Ved havet” (“By the ocean”), is a melodious and beautiful Norwegian Folk-ballad performed in Helene Bøksle’s south-Norwegian dialect. Her crystal-clear voice is accompanied by Norwegian Folk-instrumentation, including the famous Norwegian Hardanger-fiddle, the Hardingfele, and it makes for an ethereal and beautiful musical experience. The Norwegian jury is happy to enter Helene Bøksle for the 3rd time in the FSC for Norway

Below are the Norwegian lyrics for the song and a translation into English. Hope you’ll enjoy the Norwegian entry for January!

Helene Bøksle - Ved havet (”By the ocean”)

Jeg lar tankene dra til havet \ I let my thoughts drift to the ocean
Og lar hele mitt sinn følge med \ And I let all of my conciousness join in
Mine sko tar jeg av ute ved havet \ I take off my shoes by the ocean
Bare tær mot en salig fred \ Bare toes, giving a sacred peace

Sender sorgen mot horisonten \ I send my sorrows towards the horizon
Der hvor verden en gang rundet av \ There where the world once ended
Den vil fanges så lett av horisonten \ My sorrows will easily be caught by the horizon
Mellom himmel og vide hav \ There between the heavens and the wide oceans

Får jeg låne denne stund ved havet \ May I borrow this moment by the ocean
Får jeg hvile her som den jeg er \ May I rest here as the person I am
Risse sannheten i sand \ Draw the truth in sand
Skylles bort av saltet vann \ Is swept away by salt water

Alt som jeg vet finnes her og nå \ All that I know exists here and now

Om et håp kunne speile himmel \ If a hope could mirror the heavens
Om min drøm ville males blå \ If my dream were painted blue
Bærer med meg min stund ute ved havet \ I carry with me my moment by the ocean
Har en lindring jeg lett kan nå \ It gives me a relief that I can easily reach

Får jeg låne denne stund ved havet \ May I borrow this moment by the ocean
Får jeg hvile her som den jeg er \ May I rest here as the person I am
Risse sannheten i sand \ Draw the truth in sand
Skylles bort av saltet vann \ Is swept away by salt water

Alt som jeg vet finnes her og nå \ All that I know exists here and now

Får jeg låne denne stund ved havet \ May I borrow this moment by the ocean
Får jeg hvile her som den jeg er \ May I rest here as the person I am
Risse sannheten i sand \ Draw the truth in sand
Skylles bort av saltet vann \ Is swept away by salt water

Alt som jeg vet finnes her og nå \ All that I know exists here and now
Alt som jeg vet finnes her og nå \ All that I know exists here and now

-M​

 

[Malagant]

FSC February 2013 - Norway

FSC Norway - February 2013 - Ida Jenshus - Someone To Love​

Representing Norway in FSC February 2013 is the popular young and talented Norwegian Singer-Songwriter Ida Jenshus. Here is some more information about her.

Ida Gjølga Jenshus (born on 25th April 1987) - artist name Ida Jenshus - is a Norwegian Singer-Songwriter from the town of Steinkjer north of Trondheim, Norway. She enjoyed music from an early age and soon showed her talent for writing songs. Her music can be classified as Singer-Songwriter/Roots/Country(-pop). She plays the guitar and sings with a good and pleasant voice which conveys well the feelings and emotions of her songs.

Her career started in 2007 when she won a music talent show called “Lyden av lørdag” on Norwegian national tv. In the spring of 2008 she recorded her first studio album “Color of the Sun”, an album (released in October 2008) produced by Håkon Gebhardt. Joining her on the recording were several musicians from other Norwegian bands, like Lars Håvard Haugen (from “Hellbillies”) on mandolin and Skjalg Raaen (from “Åge Aleksandersens Sambandet”) on guitar. The album spawned two popular singles: “These Are The Days” and “For The Nation”.

Ida Jenshus won the Norwegian Grammy Award (“Spellemannsprisen”) for her debut album.

Her 2nd album was released in 2010. It was called “No Guarantees”. It too received very good critical reviews in the national press and got good record sales. Her Singer-Songwriter/Roots/Country(-pop) muic style was embraced by many Norwegians, both young and old, and once again she received the Norwegian Grammy Award (“Spellemannsprisen”), an impressive feat. In 2011 she, moreover, received another award in recognition of her musical talent and skills, the “Bendiksenprisen”.



Ida Jenshus: Album Discography

2008 Color of the Sun
2010 No Guarantees
2012 Someone to Love



Her latest album called “Someone To Love” was released in October 2012. The album was preceeded by the title track and first single from the album, “Someone To Love”, which was released in June 2012. The song “Someone To Love” is the song chosen as the Norwegian entry here in FSC February 2013.

Both the single and the album received very good reviews in the press (who also noted a slight shift further into pop music territory for Ida) and were embraced by her many fans. On her newest album Ida continues to show her proficient skills as a singer, songwriter and performer of Singer-Songwriter/Roots/Country-(pop) style music.

Ida Jenshus is without doubt one of Norway’s most talented Singer-Songwriters from whom we will hear more in the years to come.

The Norwegian entry for FSC February 2013, “Someone To Love”, is a melodious Singer-Songwriter Roots-influenced Pop-song with meaningful lyrics and beautiful harmonies, performed with warmth and style by the accomplished artist Ida Jenshus. The Norwegian jury is happy to enter Ida Jenshus for the 1st time in the FSC for Norway

Below are the English lyrics for the song. Hope you’ll enjoy the Norwegian entry for February!

Ida Jenshus - Someone To Love

I'm not myself
When I'm alone
I'm just someone
I might have known

I've always kept
Someone close
That's when I feel
Like me the most

Driving home I thought of you and I feel cold
Will you still be there when I need someone to hold

Could you be there for me
Would you do that for me
Will you be that someone I can hold

Someone to love

You and I
Both need our space
Life is fast
And hard to pace

But when I start
To feel alone
Can't you meet me
Back at home

Back home

There's something in me that isn't right
Something's missing when you stay out of sight

Could you be there for me
Would you do that for me
Could you come somewhere that I belong

Would you go there with me
When the night surrounds me
Would you be that someone I can hold

Someone to love

In the dark
The empty bed
Feels like rocks
Under my head

I can't sleep
I'm too tired
My strength is gone
My nerves wired

As I lay here the streets seem far too still
Can this emptiness be something you can fill

Could you be there for me
Would you do that for me
Could you come somewhere that I belong

Would you go there with me
When the night surrounds me
Will you be that someone I can hold

Someone to love

-M​

 

[Malagant]

FSC March 2013 - Norway

FSC Norway - March 2013 - Röyksopp feat. Susanne Sundfør - Running To The Sea​

Representing Norway in FSC March 2013 is the well known and acclaimed Norwegian Electro-Pop duo Röyksopp (2nd appearance in the FSC for Norway) featuring the talented Norwegian Pop-artist Susanne Sundfør on vocals. Here is some more information about them.

Röyksopp is a Norwegian Electro-Pop \ Electronica \ Electronic Music duo from Tromsø, Norway. The group consists of the members Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland. Röyksopp was formed in 1998.

The word ‘röyksopp’ is alas a stylized version of the Norwegian word for the ‘puffball mushroom’, "røyksopp". The band has stated that the word could also evoke the mushroom cloud resulting from an atomic blast

They have experimented with different genres within electronic music, like ambient, house music, synth-pop and non-Euro American sounds. The band is also known for its elaborate concert performances, which often feature eccentric outfits.

Since their 1998 debut, the duo has gained critical acclaim and popular success around the world. To date, Röyksopp has been nominated for 1 Grammy Award, Brit Awards, won a total of 7 Spellemannprisen awards (Norwegian Grammys), performed worldwide tours, and produced albums which have topped the charts in several countries, including 4 consecutive number-one albums in Norway.

Röyksopp solidified their place in the Electro-Pop \ Electronica scene with their 2001 debut-album “Melody A.M.”, released on the Wall of Sound record label.


Röyksopp: Album Discography

Melody A.M. (2001)
The Understanding (2005)
Junior (2009)
Senior (2010)


The album ”Melody A.M.” became a commercial success in 2001, in Norway and also internationally. Popular singles from this album were “Eple”, “Poor Leno” and “Remind Me”. The band's popularity was boosted by several graphically experimental music videos, many of which were put into heavy rotation by MTV.

Their 2nd album, “The Understanding”, was released in 2005. Popular singles from this album were “Only This Moment”, “49 Percent”, and “What Else Is There?”, a song which featured the Swedish singer Karin Dreijer Andersson on vocals.

Their 3rd album, called “Junior”, was released in 2009. It included the singles “Happy Up Here” and “This Must Be Here”, as well as the popular radio-hit “The Girl And The Robot” which featured the Swedish singer Robyn on vocals. This song subsequently became the Norwegian entry in FSC June 2009.

The 2009 album “Junior” was in 2010 followed by its ‘ambient twin’, “Senior”, which was more quiet/atmospheric in style (or as they themselves termed it, "..withdrawn and introspective.. made to create an atmosphere and an ambiance.."). This was their first album to consist solely of instrumental tracks. The song “The Drug” gained some popularity and the album sold fairly well, although the press reviews were more mixed this time around due to the album’s more laid-back\less instant sound.

In December 2012 Röyksopp released a new Electro-Pop single called "Running To The Sea". It featured the talented Norwegian pop-artist Susanne Sundfør on vocals. This is the song the Norwegian jury has chosen as the Norwegian entry here in FSC March 2013.

Susanne Aartun Sundfør (born 1986, in Haugesund, Norway) is a Norwegian pop-artist and singer-songwriter. She has released 4 studio albums, as well as an instrumental album, in the time period 2007-2012. Her 1st single “Walls” (taken from her debut-album ‘Susanne Sundfør’) became very popular in Norway in 2006/2007. In February 2008, she was subsequently awarded Spellemannprisen (Norwegian Grammy) for best female performance.

In 2010, her 3rd album "The Brothel" was released to great critical acclaim in Norway, and ended up becoming the 2nd bestselling album of the year. Her musical style was by now quite ‘experimental and atmospheric’ within the ‘broad landscape of pop music’ and with her special, characterized voice it made for a very interesting - and moving - combination. Her latest album, called “The Silicone Veil”, was released in March 2012. Stylistically it followed in the footsteps of “The Brothel” and became both a critical and commercial success.

In late 2012 Susanne Sundfør joined the Norwegian Electro-Pop duo Röyksopp in a musical collaboration, where she provided the vocals on their new song “Running To The Sea”.

Röyksopp and Susanne Sundfør are talented and popular Norwegian musicians/singers/songwriters from whom we will without doubt hear more in the coming years.

The Norwegian entry for FSC March 2013, “Running To The Sea”, is a melodious Electro-Pop song with pounding beats and haunting vocals in an exciting musical combination, performed by Röyksopp featuring Susanne Sundfør. The Norwegian jury is happy to enter Röyksopp (2nd appearance in the FSC for Norway) and Susanne Sundfør in the FSC for Norway

Below are the English lyrics for the song. Hope you’ll enjoy the Norwegian entry for March!

Röyksopp feat. Susanne Sundfør - Running To The Sea

I could hear them howling from afar
I saw them rushing to your car
In a moment all went screaming white
Until the darkness killed the light

I remember running to the sea
The burning houses and the trees
I remember running to the sea
Alone and blinded by the fear

And the river flows beneath your skin
Like savage horses kept within
And all is wasted in the sand
Like breaking diamonds with your hand

I remember running to the sea
Remember falling to my knees
I remember gliding off the shore
Until I touched the ocean floor

And the river flows beneath your skin
Like savage horses kept within
And all is wasted in the sand
Like breaking diamonds with your hand

And the river grows inside of me
And the river grows inside of me
And the river grows inside of me
And the river grows inside of me

And the river grows inside of me
And the river grows inside of me

-M​

 

[Malagant]

FSC April 2013 - Norway

FSC Norway - April 2013 - Eva & The Heartmaker - Traces Of You​

Representing Norway in FSC April 2013 is the well known Norwegian Pop duo and group Eva & The Heartmaker (2nd appearance in the FSC for Norway). Here is some more information about them.

Eva & The Heartmaker consists of the Norwegian vocalist Eva Weel Skram (born 1985) and fellow Norwegian musician/guitarist Thomas Stenersen (they are now a married couple).

Eva came to the Norwegian people’s attention when she participated in the Norwegian 2005 pop-IDOL competition where she came a respectable 6th. She studied music, dance and drama at high school and was interested in music from an early age.

Before joining Eva & The Heartmaker, Thomas was a member of the band Diversion Blue (he was guitarist) in the period 1999-2003.

In August 2006 they released their first album together under the band-name Eva & The Heartmaker. The album was called “Behind Golden Frames”. Their second album was called “Let’s Keep This Up Forever” and was released in 2009. Their musical style was retro-sounding melodious pop with hints of 70s music, the Cardigans and the Beatles, and the album was well received by the critics.


Eva & The Heartmaker: Albums

Behind Golden Frames (2006)
Let's Keep This Up Forever (2009)
Dominoes (February 2011)
Traces Of You (February 2013)


Eva & The Heartmaker: Singles

Superhero (2009)
Please! (2009)
Let’s Keep This Up Forever (2009)
Mr Tokyo (June 2010)
Signals (November 2010)
Traces Of You (September 2012)
Joanna (January 2013)


Their third album “Dominoes” (which was more retro-synth and even more ‘poppy’ in style) was released in February 2011. The album was preceeded by a couple of popular singles in 2010: first “Mr. Tokyo”, and then “Signals” (released in November 2010) which subsequently became the Norwegian entry in FSC July 2011.

Their fourth and latest album “Traces Of You” (soundwise a mix of their former synth-, pop-, and rock-sound) was released in February 2013. The album was preceeded by two singles, first the more synth-based title-track “Traces Of You” in September 2012 and then the more pop-based track “Joanna” in January 2013. Their first single “Traces Of You” is alas the song the Norwegian jury has chosen as the Norwegian entry here in FSC April 2013.

Eva & The Heartmaker have in the last years played at concerts and festivals both nationally and abroad with success, together with a live-band consisting of different Norwegian musicians. Based partly in London (UK) and Norway they want to continue to make good music, both modern and retro, within the pop/synth/rock genre for everyone’s enjoyment. There is little doubt that we will hear more from this talented duo and group in the future.

The Norwegian entry for FSC April 2013, “Traces Of You”, is a melodious Pop-song with energetic synth/pop-beats and good vocals in Eva & The Heartmaker’s musical style. The Norwegian jury is happy to enter Eva & The Heartmaker for the 2nd time in the FSC for Norway.

Below are the English lyrics for the song. Hope you’ll enjoy the Norwegian entry for April!

Eva & The Heartmaker - Traces Of You

I've been trying to leave the past behind
‘Cause you're hanging on inside my mind
Don't wanna lose you as a friend
But I guess that we have reached the end

Every time I try to pull away
There's a part of me that longs to stay
I don't wanna see you fall apart
That would only go and break my heart

When I see your face I think of yesterdays
Memories I can't erase
So many traces of you left in me

In the years to come I'll still remember you
All the things we used to do
So many changes that we went through

Every minute when we felt the same
Is a moment in a picture frame
It don't matter what the future brings
I would never wanna change a thing

When I see your face I think of yesterdays
Memories I can't erase
So many traces of you left in me

In the years to come I'll still remember you
All the things we used to do
So many changes that we went through

So no matter what the future brings
I would never wanna change a thing

When I see your face I think of yesterdays
Memories I can't erase
So many traces of you left in me

In the years to come I'll still remember you
All the things we used to do
So many changes that we went through

-M​

 

[Malagant]

FSC May 2013 - Norway

FSC Norway - May 2013 - Trail of Tears - Oscillation​

Representing Norway in FSC May 2013 is the popular-through-many-years Norwegian Gothic Metal band Trail of Tears. Here is some more information about them.

Trail of Tears is a Norwegian Gothic Metal band, with music encompassing associated musical genres such as Symphonic Metal, Death Metal, Black Metal and Gothic Rock. The band was originally formed in 1994 by Terje Heiseldal, Kjell Rune Hagen, Jonathan A Perez, Michael Krumins and Ronny Thorsen, under the name of Natt. They recorded a self-titled demo under that name.

The band is, perhaps, best known for experimentation within the aforementioned Metal genres - including much use of dark growls and clean soprano-ish vocals as a dramatic factor in their music - as well as, sadly, the many disagreements and ‘splits’ \ ‘implosions’ in the band through the years and constant replacements of band members.

In 1997 their name was switched to Trail of Tears in order to reflect the evolution of their sound and the changes that had been made from their initial line-up. The first demo the band recorded was ”When Silence Cries...”, which contained three tracks and was released in April 1997. Guitarist Michael Krumins left the band and was replaced by Runar Hansen shortly thereafter.

The release of the demo lead the band to sign a contract for two albums with the Dutch record label DSFA Records. Their debut-album ”Disclosure in Red” was released in 1998, and touring through Europe followed, alongside - among others - the Norwegian Gothic Metal band Tristania.

Their second album, ”Profoundemonium”, was released in 2000, and female vocalist Helena Iren Michaelsen left the band soon after, being replaced by Cathrine Paulsen in May of that year. The band proceeded to play in Europe several times during 2000. In the following year they signed a three-album deal with Napalm Records. Their third release, released in 2002, was entitled ”A New Dimension of Might”.

2003 marked the band's first international concert, in Mexico. Female vocalist Cathrine Paulsen left the band, and male vocalist Kjetil Nordhus joined Trail of Tears. This move prompted several changes in the band's sound, ultimately resulting in the 2005-album ”Free Fall into Fear”, which was markedly heavier than their previous albums. A tour with Tristania and Swedish Metal band Therion followed the album's release.

Long term band members Terje Heiseldal and Frank Roald Hagen departed before the recording of the band's fifth album, with Gøran Bomann standing in as a session live guitarist.

Then, in November 2006, Kjetil Nordhus, Runar Hansen, Kjell Rune Hagen and Jonathan Perez walked out in protest due to what they saw as bad organization leading to monetary loss for all the members of the band - and posted a statement on the Trail of Tears' website saying the band had split up.

Ronny Thorsen soon issued a counter-statement saying they would in fact be carrying on without them and that they couldn't have chosen a worse time to leave the band due to the upcoming tour for the 2007-album “Existentia”. All tour dates had to be cancelled and the future of the band was in dire jeopardy. They kept on going, however. And on 1st February 2007 there was, finally, some good news, as it was announced that former Trail of Tears vocalist Cathrine Paulsen was re-joining the band. This was very popular among many of their fans who had missed her much.

The band entered Soundsuite Studio in Marseille, France with producer Terje Refsnes on 3rd November 2008 to record their sixth studio album, “Bloodstained Endurance”, which was subsequently released in 2009. The album was very well received in the press and among the band’s many fans.

In July 2010 Trail of Tears announced that guitarist Pål Olsen had left the band due to lack of time and wanting to focus more on his other band Guardians of Time. And in January 2012 Trail of Tears announced that long-time drummer Cato Jensen had parted ways with the band. Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow later joined the band as the new drummer. Work was now begun on their next album which they had high hopes for. In the autumn of 2012 the band did several events \ concerts, also taking part in some music festivals.



Trail of Tears: Albums

Disclosure in Red (1998)
Profoundemonium (2000)
A New Dimension of Might (2002)
Free Fall into Fear (2005)
Existentia (2007)
Bloodstained Endurance (2009)
Oscillation (April 2013)



In November 2012 the band revealed the cover artwork of their forthcoming - and seventh - full-length album “Oscillation” which was to be released in spring 2013. At the end of the year they also informed that Trail of Tears had gotten a record-contract with the German independent record-label Massacre Records, a brilliant piece of news for the band. It was, however, to be the calm before the storm.

As the band entered a new year, 2013, new ‘drama’ awaited. In January 2013 Ronny Thorsen, Endre Moe and Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow were announced to have left Trail of Tears. Internal conflicts within the band had made for another split and a public quarrel on the Internet between Ronny Thorsen (the only constant member of the band since its inception) and Cathrine Paulsen (the female vocalist) ensued, with heavy disagreements as to the cause of the split. The result was, however, that only the members Cathrine Paulsen and Bjørn Erik Næss now remained in the band - and that, reportedly, their 2013-album “Oscillation” was going to be the band’s last and final album.

In February 2013 the new album’s title-track “Oscillation” was released as a digital download \ digital single, preceeding the album “Oscillation” which was to be released in April 2013. The song “Oscillation” - a powerful track showcasing epic Gothic Metal - is the song chosen by the Norwegian jury as the Norwegian entry here in FSC May 2013.

In April 2013 the album was finally released to mostly good reviews in the press and to their many fans’ - both nationally and internationally - delight. It remains to be seen if this, perhaps, is the ‘final journey’ for the Norwegian Gothic Metal band Trail of Tears. If that is the sad and inevitable case, many critics believe the band has ended their music-career on a high note.

The Norwegian entry for FSC May 2013, “Oscillation”, is an epic Gothic Metal track by Trail of Tears, with power, strength, melodic harmonies, dramatic arrangements and good vocals. The Norwegian jury is happy to enter Trail of Tears in the FSC for Norway.

Below are the English lyrics for the song. Hope you’ll enjoy the Norwegian entry for May!

Trail of Tears - Oscillation

Do you know how it feels
To be standing alone
With the weight of the world
Pressing down on your heart

For a chance to show
The paying game
By the things that you say
By the games that you play

From this moment I stand amazed
Dark question still remains
Why you choose to be brave
What you make of your lifetime

Let those feelings sleep
I know that life’s been tough
Be aware of what you’ve got

Stay, stay with me
Take me home
Don’t let me go

Stay, stay with me
Where our souls
Will be free

Lay down your principles
And pray to your God of Emptiness
Like a last draw of your conciousness
You resent to be brave and to raise expectations

Your time has come
Cherish all your lovely ones
Witness me in power
‘Cause I know that we live in it
One by one

Let those feelings sleep
I know that life’s been rough
Be aware of what you’ve got

Stay, stay with me
Take me home
Don’t let me go

Stay, stay with me
Where our souls
Will be free

By the days
That you say
By the games
That you play


How you choose to behave
What you make of your lifetime

When the darkest clouds gone by
May light shine up on you

Stay, stay with me
Where our souls
Will be free

Stay, stay with me
Take me home
Don’t let me go

Stay, stay with me
Take me home
Don’t let me go

-M​

 

[aletem]

Looking forward to listen to this!

 

[Malagant]

Looking forward to listen to this!

Hope you'll enjoy it!

(picture video beneath the photo)


​

 

[aletem]

I like it!!!