Stereogum Hearts Norwegian Electronica

Posted on Sep 21st, 2005 by Scott 9 Comments Share

I don’t know which side of Erlend Øye I like better, somber strummer or dancefloor dude. The King Of Convenience straddles the folk and electronica worlds better than most, always with a sense of humor, and thus he’s a perfect collaborator for German weirdo Matthew Patterson Curry (AKA Safety Scissors). This is the first single from SS’s 2nd full-length Tainted Lunch, and Erlend contributes vocals and guitar.

Safety Scissors (Feat. Erlend Øye) – Sunlight’s On The Other Side (MP3 link expired)

It’s funny and funky and everything you’d expect from a guy whose label bio says only: “A California heartbreaker who recently started tap dancing lessons. And has a kitten named Napkin.” Safety-scissors.com has a PDF of the album lyrics in Japanese if you have need for such a thing.

San Fran readers can hit the record release party tomorrow.

Saftey Scissors Record Release
September 22, 2005
With My Robot Friend and Soft Pink Truth
Mighty, 119 Utah St.

Otherwise, buy Tained Lunch here.

If you like your electronica less silly, more dreamy, the new Röyksopp might be up your alley. This dreamy cut’s in rotation on the iPod playlist:

Röyksopp – “What Else Is There” (MP3)

You can buy their CD here.

And pulling this post all together … go here for hot Norwegian on Norwegian action: Röyksopp’s live “remix” of Kings Of Convenience’s “I Don’t Know What I Can Save You From.” A lot of annoying crowd noise on that particular track, but the site’s still worth hitting for KoC covers of Tom Petty, Simon & Garfunkel, The Cure, Feist, Portishead, Magnetic Fields, Harry Nilsson, and others.

Previously: Norwegian Death Metal Scares And Humors Us.

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Comments (9)

Yale Bloor | Posted on Sep 21st, 2005

Not from Norway but close “Finland’s HIM (His Infernal Majesty) makes its U.S. debut with Dark Light. A Scandinavian rock icon, HIM enjoys more than a mere buzz overseas. It’s a frenzy. Haunting, gothic, rocking, beautiful and melodic-produced by Tim Palmer” its not that bad really!

H.I.M – Dark light (advance) / password:sth1453
http://rapidshare.de/files/5331246/OKoyuIsik1.rar.html
http://rapidshare.de/files/5332268/OKoyuIsik2.rar.html

kevin | Posted on Sep 22nd, 2005

love safety scissors
just got a remix he did of grizzly bear on ILM/X
that was great

erlend really IS a vocal slut

hehe

moded | Posted on Sep 22nd, 2005

Thank you Scott for regularly giving Norway some love! In addition to KoC/Erlend Øye & Röyksopp (whose cds are perenially on heavy rotation in my car/iPod/iTunes), I’ve recently discovered Hanne Hukkelberg. Her CD Little Things is a thing of odd beauty; first single Cast Anchor I especially love. You can listen to a fairly long clip here:

http://www.soundfixrecords.com/mp3s/HANNEHUKKELBERGCastAnchor.mp3

Big ups to Kongeriket Norge!

krunkymunky | Posted on Sep 22nd, 2005

so i really enjoyed their show last spring at BB and i’d definitely consider myself a fan more than the average indie-joe. but i “met” erland at the afterparty at plant the night of their Bowery show and … how do i put this nicely? let’s just say that with kings of convenience, i like the music a little more than the musicians. another way to say it is that i thought he was kind of a dickhead.

Kloggy | Posted on Sep 22nd, 2005

I think you all should give “Real Ones” a chance. It’s not electronica, but they’re from Bergen (KoC, Annie, Sondre Lerche, etc.):
http://www.realones.no/

…and while you’re in the mood where you can listen to anything as long as it’s Norwegian, or really like vintage keyboards, you should check out my very good friends in Wobbler: http://www.wobblermusic.com/

Dan | Posted on Sep 22nd, 2005

That new Royksopp album is really good, certainly one of my favorites of the year.

vanessa | Posted on Sep 22nd, 2005

I saw royksopp perform last night. HOLY SHIT, they had the house jumping up and down and going nuts. If you enjoy their cd, please never ever allow yourself to miss them live. The best concert I’ve seen all year. It was one of those experiences I will re-live every time I put on the cd.