Today, Norwegian pop, rock, hip-hop, metal, R&B and electronica have become extremely popular. In the forefront of Norwegian pop music are bands and artists such as Röyksopp, Turbonegro, Kings of Convenience, Sissel, Madrugada and Jaga Jazzist. Thanks to a multitude of other active bands and new record companies, more is going on in Norwegian pop music than ever before.
Today’s rock scene in Norway is vibrant and active. There are plenty of bands with a big sound, including Kaizers Orchestra, Big Bang, Madrugada, Amulet, Span, JR Ewing and Euroboys, all of which hold a solid position in Norway and increase their popularity abroad each time they go on one of their successful tours. Artists with a subtler idiom include St. Thomas and groups such as Ai Phoenix, Salvatore, Poor Rich Ones, Julian Berntzen and the White Birch, all of which have been praised by music critics abroad for their eloquence.
Norwegian pop music boasts a number of gifted and distinctive songwriters and performers, among them Bertine Zetlitz, Sondre Lerche, Maria Mena and Ephemera. Among the youngest, promising artists is Marion Ravn, formerly half of the duo M2M, and now a solo artist with a major international contract. The somewhat older veterans in a-ha are still going strong almost 20 years after their massive international breakthrough, and they have plans for new tours and records in the near future. Another Norwegian favourite and active veteran with a number of recordings behind her is Sissel, who is now concentrating on reaching a greater international audience, with particular focus on the USA.
The electronica scene is dominated by Norwegian music export’s biggest name at the moment, Röyksopp. However, the duo from Tromsø and Bergen is not alone in producing melodic, warm and organic electronica. Artists such as Jaga Jazzist, Xploding Plastix, Ralph Myerz and the Jack Herren Band, Palace of Pleasure, Flunk, Ugress, Frost, Sternklang and Bjørn Torske are extremely productive in both recording studios and concert venues.
Norwegian hip-hop is typified by Norwegian-language speakers such as Tungtvann, Klovner i Kamp and Diaz, and includes up-and-coming young artists who have been heavily influenced by the scene on the east coast of the USA. The main performers here are Equicez, Paperboys and Tee Productions.
Metal has traditionally been one of Norwegian music’s biggest export articles. Bands such as Satyricon, Red Harvest, Dimmu Borgir and Kovenant have a large and loyal host of fans in Norway and abroad, and the international music press considers the Norwegian metal groups to be among the best within their genre.
Norwegian roots/country music also holds a solid position with its impressive revenues, popular festivals and loyal public. Heidi Hauge is one of this genre’s most successful artists in Norway with her top record sales and extensive concert tours. Other key artists within this wide-ranging genre include Home Groan and Madrugada vocalist Sivert Høyem, with his solo project.
Production companies and studios such as Stargate in Trondheim and Waterfall in Oslo have built up a solid reputation within the international R&B scene. Remixing, producing and writing songs for major international artists and well-known Norwegian R&B artists such as Noora, Samsaya and Winta has created a vibrant, active community that is acknowledged far beyond Norway’s borders.
The appearance of new, young and independent record companies has also helped to consolidate the position of Norwegian pop music. Labels such as Tellè Records, Smalltown Supersound, Racing Junior, Black Balloon Records, Moonfog, dBut Records, Beatservice, Rune Grammofon and Trust Me have proved to be important suppliers of new and energetic bands that have made a name for themselves at home and abroad. These new, export-oriented labels have already managed to establish solid international networks.
By The Music Information Centre Norway