Film: Meeting People is Easy

This might not come as a shock to you people, but Meeting People is Easy is about Radiohead. It was filmed during the crazy crazy Ok Computer thour in around 1998. I think they toured at least for 2 years constantly, if not more. It's an amzing film, just by how it's filmed, colors, use of cameras etc. but it's also a very very sad film about how you can slowly loose control of yourself and who you are after that madia craze for a few years. Amazing thing, even if you are not as Radiohead obsessed as some people ;) A very smart person put it out on YouTube, so you can go to this profile and watch the whole thing there. Enjoy and be prepared to feel uneasy and a bit sad but also see a lot of beauty and hear a lot of beauty...

Music and life: Playing For Change: Song Around the World "Stand By Me"

Today, good people, I give you world changing music. I got this link from my mum and it's amazing. It's a cover by Ben E. King's "Stand by me" and is played by musicians from all over the world and they are all over the world also. They have been taped in their home country. It's a quite amazing thing that he has made it all add up and a real great bunch of musicians as well. Me, that get easily moved by music, gets tears in my eyes when I see this, just by the thought of music can bring together like that and make the world a better place. It says something about the magic that is music that I often feel myself. Hope it touches you to and gives you a little hope in your everyday life. Sounds perfect as it's Thanksgiving now, even though we Norwegians really don't celebrate it :) I'll have to check out this Plying for Change project and get back later with more on that.

Great voices: Edith Piaf

There is something inside me that brakes when Edit Piaf sings. I don't know what it is. It's just something that hits my emotions directly. It's so raw, direct, passionate and genuine. I watched "La Vie en Rose" a few years ago and I cried like a little a little girl at the end scene. I really sobbed. She brings tears to my eyes any day, but that was unbelivable. And after the movie I am even more impressed by her. I am not gonna give it all away. Go out and get it :)

Here are two golden moments:

Milord and the one that really makes me brake down: Non, Je ne regrette rien

Film: New trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Oh!! I can't wait. I am rereading the book in preperation to what will come next summer :) Here you go :)

Great collaborations: Chris Martin and Noel Gallagher

This is a very strange and very fantastic thing at the same time. I couldn't belive it when I found it. I never thought Noel would even consider doing anything with Coldplay.. But here they are on a stage together with Coldplays guitarist (don't remember the name and have no time to find out right now). The whole situation is so awkward in a way. Exspecially Chris Martin looks lost from time to time. That is very rare.. He never looks lost live, but side by side with Noel (I am sure he remember growing up in the 90's too, so he has a bit of a hero-complex there). But at the same time.. It sounds really great too :) And I love the song.

Here is Live Forever with Chris Martin and Noel Gallagher:



Just when I was posting this I also found Yellow by Coldplay with the same "team". Chris looks in a lot better form her, but still nervous. What's the use of Noel coming on and playing those chords..really... I could have done that ;)

Great interviews: Oasis - Noel Gallagher on Norwegian tv

As an old britpop fan, I have been looking forward to this interview for about a week now and last night it was on. First of all I really like Oasis and at the same time I really like Noel Gallagher in a way. I like the whole attitude thing. It's kind of refreshing. His brother on the other hand... Not to bright.. I think 90% of what Noel says is really true and it's good to see someone that is just very real and say what they mean. This is a very cool interview with Norwegian tv mostly about interviewing Oasis. Very good. The intro is in Norwegian, but the rest is in English

Enjoy!!

Great musicians and great songs: Beirut - Nantes

Beirut is an artist that friends of mine discovered at the Roskilde festival 2 years ago. They all came home with their eyes looking like if they had seen an angel when they talked about the Beirut-concert. There was basically so much chatter about Beirut all summer that it took me a few months before I could really sit down and listen to it myself. And man... It's amazing.

Beirut is really Zach Condon. Apart from being incredibly cute and angle like looking ha has a passion for music and a talent for music that is just beyond almost anything.
From what I heard in an interview on Norwegian tv, he started playing one instrument and then all friends and family would give him their instrument. It all ended up in his little bedroom and it was so full of instruments that he had to take away the madras during the day and lay it down in the middle of the room at night. The result was that he every morning would step on something as he woke up and break a lot of expensive equipment.

Zac's little bedroom was in Santa Fe, New Mexico and from there he ventured into the world and found music from Eastern - Europe on the way. This results in a very exceptional mix of folk and balkan music with accordian, ukulele, tubas etc.

Zac was to tour Europe again in the summer of 2008 but had to cancel. Of what I gathered the man was just to tired to go on any more, and made a wise choice to just relax. He is now back with a double EP instead and you can read more about the current state of things here.

But more than all of the above... Zac is his voice, I think and the way he sings it, but also with such a great sense of timing and arranging. I give you three versions of my favorite song "Nantes.

First the version that is on the album:



Then two more versions of live music video things from Paris. One more improvised than the other in a way. Look at the passion for the music :)
1


2



For further reading : Wikipedia Official Homepage

New music: The Duke Spirit

The Duke Spirit randomly ended up at my Last.fm radio today and it was an instant love relationship for me. I just really really liked it. I love the blues rock style of it and the vocals are amazing. I really don't know that much about them yet, just wanted to tell you. This will be exciting to tell you what more I think of them later. If you hear more about them that means that it was more than just a fling :)

Homepage


Here is The Step and The Walk



And here is lassoo that sounds like some crazy mix of The Cardigans and Interpol with the vocals of the Norwegian rocker Ida Maria, only a lot cooler :)

Music: 50 questions about favorite artists over all on last.fm

Yes, I know it's kind of childish but I love these things. Makes me reflect on my relationship with music, and is exciting at the same time to see what combinations that turn up.

1. What's your favorite song by 15?
The Cardigans
Hard one... "Favorite Game" is way up there, but I also love "And you kissed me" and "I need some fine wine and you need to be nicer".

2. How did you get into 20?
Imogen Heap
Vivian, Jørgen and me was watching The late show with David Letterman, when she suddenly turned up and played live there. We wondered "What the hell is that?" and "Wow, that's one cool girl" Turned out, she's brilliant.

3. Who is your favorite member in 1?
Radiohead
I love them all but Jonny Greenwood often gets a bit underrated and he is just a brilliant musician and songwriter.

4. Whats your favorite lyric bit by 29?
The National Bank
Probably the whole lyric to Tolerate and My name is Fred.

5. Have you ever seen 22 live?
Jamie Cullum
No, but I have a dream :)

6. What's your favorite album from 10?
Kent
Can't decided between, Hägnesta Hill, Isola and Väpen & Amunision
The first one for the lyrics, the second because it was my first meeting with Kent and quite intense and the last beacuse it's just such a brilliant rock album.

7. Do you own any merchandise from 3?
Elliott Smith
No, but I might get some :)

8. What is a good memory you have of 7?
R.E.M
Wow... A lot of good memories... Some of love, some of theater and a lot of growing up.

9. Is there a member of the same age as you in 2?
Travis
Well, they are a bit older, but not that much ;)

10. When did you first get into 8?
Phoenix
I bought the Alphabetical album after hearing Run Run Run and have loved them ever since.

11. Who likes 4 along with you?
Lali Puna
I know a lot of people that have said it sounds cool, but really no other fans.

12. Which song did you first hear from 16?
Span
I don't really remember.. I must have heard them on the radio maybe? Might have been "found".

13. What song made you fall in love with 5?
Odd Nordstoga
Erlend brought it along for a trip to a cabin in the mountains and it was just really perfect for that. Very Norwegian music in a very Norwegian nature.

14. Which song do you not like by 18?
Coldplay
I am a bit sick an tierd of a few of the ballads of their second album, don't even remember what they are called.

15. Why do you like 14's songs?
Unknown
I just like it.. haha

16. Where did you first hear 6?
Björk
Must have been during the Debut album. Possibilly Play Dead or Venus as a boy.

17. How long was 19 a singer before you liked them?
Editors
A few years I think. Took me a few years to discover them :)

18. Does 13 have a song that gives you a bad memory?
Thom Yorke
Harrowdown Hill always give me a knot in the stomic because of the lyrics.

19. When did you get into 17?
DumDum Boys
My brother used to listen to them when I was growing up, so they kind of creeped in that way :)

20. How long have you been into 9?
Blur
I have no idea. Seriously since about 1996, but I am sure I had heard of them before that too: Boys & Girls etc.

21. If 11 had a concert 300 miles away, would you drive there to see them?
Jezebel
As I would be playing... yes :D

22. How many CDs do you own of 12?
Keane
Two albums and a single

23. Does 21 have a song that makes you cry?
U2
Yes, One of course.. And Electrical Storm makes me emotional and that song from Bono to his father...

24. Does 27 have a song that makes you happy?
Frank Sinatra
Sinatra makes you happy. My kind of town Chicago song always makes me rally happy :)

25. Does 23 have a song that makes you smile?
Madrugada
Smile to Madrugada... Not easy ;) Must be Ramona, it kind of reminds me of a girl I know called Ramona.

26. What's the last song you've listened to from 28?
Kings of Convenience
Know-How, earlier to day. Great song.

27. Is there a song by 32 that you've listened to more than 30 times?
Zbigniew Preisner
Song for unification of Europe from the Blue movie.

28. What is a song from 50 that you've only listened to once?
Pride and prejudice soundtrack
Oh, I am sure it is.

29. Is there a song you are sick of hearing by 24?
Belle and Sebastian
Havn't listened enough to them. Just put on the whole record at ones so only remember songs that I like more than the other. The rest is ok.

30. What song got you into 40?
The September When
Hearing Cries like a baby on tv and radio.

31. What is your favorite single by 25?
Ane Brun
My Lover will go, Humming one of your songs.

32. If 49 hated you, what would you do?
The Wannadies
I think I will survive ;)

33. What would you say if 42 or one of the members from 42 asked you out?
Ella Fitzgerald
For a meal or coffee.. It would be amazing. What a legend.

34. Would you care if 41 had a boyfriend/girlfriend?
Stereophonics
Ehm... No... not really ;)

35. Who has the best voice in 46?
Smooth jazz collection
I think I'll have to go with Ella :)

36. Do you think 26 is/are good looking?
Bo Kaspers Orkester
Yes, many sexy jazzy dudes in there.

37. How many times have you listened to your favorite song by 36?
Edward Grieg
115 :)

38. How many CDs do you own of 30?
Graham Coxon
None! Have to buy one or two!!

39. Is there a song from 38 that makes you mad?
Patrick Doyle
Maybe the Hogwats wals to many times in a row ;)

40. Which member from 31 do you want to see go solo? If 31 is only one artist, what would you do if they joined a group?
The September When
I think Morten Abel is a quite obviouse choice there ;)

41. What does your favorite song from 48 remind you of?
Oasis
Live forever, at least that is one of them. Reminds me of great times in the 90's :)

42. Did you hate 43 at first?
Interpol
No, always liked them.

43. Does your best friend also listen to 33?
Beirut
Yes, quite a few of them. Got to know Beirut through them.

44. Do you think your parents would like 37?
Arctic Monkeys
I think my mum and dad could both like them to some degree. They are both into rock so.

45. Does 47 have a song that makes you want to dance?
Supergrass
Richard III - No doubt about it.

46. Have you ever seen 34 in person?
The Postal Service
Oh, I wish..

47. Do you like 44's name?
Christopher O'Riley
Yes, it's a great name!

48. Is there someone in 45 that you want to go out with?
The Police
Haha... Not sure if I wanna date Sting ;)

49. Do you know anyone that hates 39?
PJ Harvey
No, how can anyone hate PJ Harvey?

50. Have you ever danced to a song from 35?
The Raconteurs
But of course :)

Great songs: Our love is deep - Morten Abel

As a little add on to my last post. This is one of the highlights of Morten Abel's solo carer, it you ask me. Our love is deep. Just really love the rhythm of it and how it builds up. Very cute in a way. And also how all the parts of the song adds up, verse, pre-chorus and chorus. They are so different, but at the same time they flow so naturally.

Music: New Album from The September When

When I was 14 to about 19 my favorite band was The September When. Not Pearl Jam, not Nirvana, but TSW. The September When was at the time one of the really big Norwegian rock bands and I loved every song they made. Today I still even remember every lyric they had by heart and that's saying a lot, since I don't even know half of all the Radiohead lyrics. I am just one of those people that listen to lyrics after long long time, but somehow the TSW lyrics just hit me. Later Morten Abel (lead singer and the bands songwriter) went of to do a solo carer. It had it ups and downs, but mostly downs. I thought I would never see TSW again and never ever get to see them live, as I was about 16 when they held the last concert and wasn't allowed to see concerts yet. I love how they build up their songs, uses guitar and piano melodies together and of course the lyrics. And also the fact that they can do really rock stuff but also cute popsongs and ballads.

THEN.... Two days ago I got amazing news from my friend. The September When is going to release a new album. They all got together for a special concert at the end of last summer, but it was in Stavanger, at the other side of Norway, and I couldn't afford to go there to see them. But now there is hope... I am sure they now will do some more touring too. I really really hope that there will be a great album, and I am sure it will.

This is a link to the newspaper, only in Norwegian though...

This is the song that first made me like The September When; Cries Like a Baby. Unfortunately it's not the original video, but I think it's nice one. Ane... yes, I know what the lyrics are during the bridge. Try to take a guess if you want to. It took me about 3 years to figure out.



Bullet Me, was the greatest hit TSW had:



Also there is a whole old concert with The September When online on YouTube, this is part 7 with Waste of Time and A Place to stop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uVB3EMjWuc



I had to add this one too: Mama won't tell you no lie in an extreemly long version. Love the lyrics and bass line on this one. They even build in some Primus in the middle of it.

Band: Newly updated MySpace profile for my band - New design

I've just made a new design for the my band's MySpace page: Jezebel. I think it looks great and in tune with our webpage. Check it out and tell me what you think.

Great songs: Lynrd Skynrd - Freebird

My love for this song started when I saw Forrest Gump, I think. I realized it had to be from somewhere around in the 60's-70's, so I searched my mums great record collection and found it! I have such fond memories of lieing on my back on the carpet in front of the stereo and just listening to the whole build up. There is seriously no surprise that I liked it tough. At least not if I look back on it know. A lot of music that I really really love just has an amazingly long build up and also layer upon layers of guitars. I mean... I love Radiohead ;)

So I give you Lynrd Skynrd - Freebird live from 1977:

Keane's new single - Spiralling

This one has been sneaking up on me through speakers in shops and all around for the last weeks while I have been running around like a headless chicken.. hehe. Finally I had a little time to sit down and really listen to it today, and my oh my it's a great thing. It's like Keane has turned a corner I think.

1) it's a happy Keane song. Amazing. I love it
2) They have guitar now, and I have always loved guitars. And even a telecaster. It can't be better.
3) And not only a guitar. Does anyone know how hard it is to play that riff and sing at the same time. I could never do it!!

Here it is live at Later:


And the official video is proving very hard to find, but I give you the official version here, at least when it comes to sound and with lyrics. I haven't really had the time to listen to them yet, but love what I have heard so far.

DeviantART holliday card project and concerence

DeviantART is a great page if you want to publish your photos, pictures etc. online and get feedback from other artists all over the world. I love it and will get back to it in another post later. I just realized though, that they are doing a holidays cards project. You send them a card and they give it to a sick person in a hospital in USA during Christmas: http://news.deviantart.com/article/61965/

I'll send a card if I can find the time for it and I hope you will too.

(And oh, I am back now, I have been working a lot for the last few weeks with a conference for the university. I have learned a lot, had a lot of fun and meet so many nice nice people. Thanks. That will be my version of Thanksgiving, I think, since we don't celebrate it in Norway. Thanks for letting me meet a lot of nice people and thanks for giving me new and amazing experiences, knowledge and marvel at the world around me. )

Me and English music. Really no suprise.

This was calculated from my LastFm account. It registers all music I listen to. Anyone who is suprised? I am not ;)