Photo: Mathias Fossum
“Four ladies who thrash banjos, pluck fiddles, and bang marching drums, garbage cans, and cookie jars (!) like Appalachian witches drunk on White Lightning.”
– Spin.com
(NettwerkPressBlog) Norwegian all-female foursome Katzenjammer are set to release their debut album Le Pop in North America on May 4, 2010, with their new single “Tea With Cinnamon” out March 2.
Le Pop, which was produced by Kåre Westrheim and Mike Hartung (known for their work with notable Norwegian artists Marit Larsen and Superfamily), showcases the ladies eclectic blend of genres, which one Norwegian reviewer described as ”a mix between Eastern European folk music, B-52s, the sisters Kate & Anna McGarrigle, seasick bluegrass, country blues and a carnival orchestra on the run.” Le Pop not only earned Katzenjammer a nomination for “Newcomer of the Year” at the Norwegian Grammy Awards, but also the distinct honor of opening the show with their hit single “A Bar In Amsterdam.”
The quartet first stormed the States with their circus of a live show in Austin at SXSW last year, where they commanded the attention of industry types and music lovers alike with their raucous set consisting of the rotation of up to 29 instruments on which that the four women are self-taught, including the tuba, the balalaika bass, drums, harmonica, piano, banjo, accordion, mandolin, guitar, melodica and trumpet. They also caught the attention of David Byrne, who invited them to play his artist-curated stage at 2009’s Bonnaroo, alongside Santigold, the Dirty Projectors and Dave Byrne and Brian Eno, and ended their US run with a stop by Summerfest where they opened for Elvis Costello.
After witnessing their live set at Bonnaroo, New York Times critic Jon Pareles wrote:
“They came on like a Norwegian version of the B-52’s, pounding a beat and chirping random phrases in unison, but that didn’t last. Soon they were bouncing to a polka (complete with trumpet), or singing in pure close harmony that suggested Scandinavian traditional music, or delivering a cherry-pie recipe over a ukulele-strumming tune suggesting 1920’s jazz (with close-harmony “diddley-diddley-diddleys), or going near-Goth with a raspy song about “walking in the big black woods,” or sharing an a cappella dirge (with a drumbeat) about a dust storm. Accordion, banjo and kazoo came and went; their finale was a bluegrassy bounce. There was no telling what they’d do next, except that it was sure to be deft and charming.”
Katzenjammer – Solveig Heilo, Anne Marit Bergheim, Turid Jørgensen and Marianne Sveen – will announce N. American tour dates in the coming months, but have already been confirmed to join the 2010 Lilith Tour, along with artists like Sarah McLachlan, Mary J. Bilge, Norah Jones, Loretta Lynn, Sugarland, Metric, Sia and more!
My daughter and I had the good fortune to catch Katzenjammer at their show in Milwaukee, WI (July 2009) when they opened for Elvis Costello. We were both very impressed with their exceptional talent(s) and genuine love of music and fun. We both were intrigued at watching Elvis Costello, who was taking in the show himself from the wing (stage left) and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying their set! After their set, my daughter and I had the unique experience of meeting Sol Heilo, and she was a very delightful and charming person to speak with! We look forward to their return to the U.S. so we can see them again!!
I hope to see your show again this year at
Summerfest! If it will be somewhere else I will
be waiting for the announcement! Looking forward
obtaining a copy of your cd, you sold all in
Milwaukee last summer.
The best of everything to the four of you!
Darrell