Photos: Summer in Holland

I love music, as you should have understood by now, if you have been reading my blog. But I also love to take photos. I tend to take photos of houses much more than of people. I always think that people might not like to get their photo taken. Bikes and houses, they are ok. A few weeks ago we went to Amsterdam and around Holland, by boyfriends home country. There are a few of the photos that I really am happy with from the trip. Do you like them? Do you hate them? All comments welcome.

Great live: Elliott Smith - Needle in the Hay

This is one of those times when the live version of the song is just brilliant. Even more brilliant than the already brilliant studio version. I already love this song, but the electric version just blows my mind. On top of everything it's great to see Elliott live and also fun things happen during this performance that they really deal with in a professional, but fun manner. It's not always wise to turn around on stage too much. I'll say it again, just brilliant.

New music: Graham Coxon, Bill Ryder-Jones, Paloma Faith - Desire

Thanks to a great little ad-on thing for Last.fm that plays videos from YouTube, I just found a new song with one of the greatest guitarmen in the world, mr. Graham Coxon. He has lately become very active on both Facebook and Twitter and posts a life changeing song every day. Absolutely worth following! Anywaays..This new song is apparently a commercial for converse and it totally rocks!! (To say it very Americana). It's been a long time since I have thought that about something new, but I guess it's now wonder as things always rock when Graham is playing. The vido in itself is also extremely cool and nice 30's- 40's style :)

But... Excuse my ignorance who are the two others, I had to look it up... Let's see...
You can read more about Paloma Faith here! What an amazing voice!! I need to check out more of what she has done! And Bill Ryder-Jones is apparently from The Coral... Hm, they are ok. But a little bit of another league than Coxon at least. But now! Enjoy! :D



Behind the scenes:

Great music and new music (for some): Valkyrien Allstars

One of the "national musical instruments" in Norway is Hardingfele (Hardanger fiddle). It has an extremely distinct sound and I think it almost always does something to the listener. It has four strings like a normal fiddle or violin, but also 4 or 5 sympathetic strings, meaning the also make sound, though you don't play directly on them.

When I was a kid, I would hate it. I would literately put my fingers in my ears all the way up until I was far into my twenties. Then something changed. I started connecting it to my Norwegian identity, or maybe I had all along and just not realized. The last years I have realized there is something quintessential Norwegian about it. When ever there is a Hardanger fiddle starting and there are Norwegians around, you see them tap their fingers on the table or move their feet a little or clap. There is something that awakes in us. But more about that later. Let's get to the song.

In 2008 I discovered this amazing band, Valyrien Allstars, who play a kind of Norwegian quite modern folk-rock-pop using often old songs and Hardanger fiddles and other fiddles. It's just an amazing sound. The Norwegian music tv-program on NRK, Lydverket, did a great series with bands playing concerts in strange places. This is a part of the series. Valyrien Allstars is playing live at Valkyrien, a pub on the west side of Oslo. I wonder where they took their name from? Anywaaays.. Such an electric performance!

Homepage - Spotify

Great covers: Paranoid Android by YouTubers

I think I only can say one thing: Great music inspires! :) I am sure you all have seen it by now? It's been around for a few weeks, and now apparently Radiohead have watched it too as they posted it on their website.
Enjoy!