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!

From the opening of “Overture,” which slams non-stop into “A Bar in Amsterdam,” you know that you are in for an experience that rivals musical theater. Katzenjammer’s brand of alternative pop is accessible yet eclectic. Three parts gypsy caravan, three parts pop, one part rock and roll, a dash of folksy goodness and a splash of Vienna seasoning make for a completely individual sound.

“Le Pop’s” mostly upbeat numbers keep the party rolling from “Amsterdam” to “Tea with Cinnamon” to the outstanding “Hey Ho On The Devil’s Back,” Katzenjammer pops from the silly to the profound without letting the carnival stop. Speaking of silly, the title track is so much fun you will be laughing within seconds of its start!

Just when you think you have Katzenjammer figured out, though, they slip you something unexpected; the sad yet beautiful “Wading in Deeper.” This is just an intermission however, proven by the follow up tracks “Play My Darling Play,” “To The Sea,” the waltzing “Mother Superior” and set closer, blues rock number, “Ain’t No Thang.”

Katzenjammer’s four woman collective, made up of Soleig Heila, Anne Marit Bergheim, Turid Jorgensen and Marianne Sveen, jump from instrument to instrument interchangeably. Those instruments are many, too, including but not limited to accordion, melodica, mandolin, guitar, harmonica, trumpet, tuba, drums and balaika bass.

There aren’t enough good words to describe this band. Oslo, Norway is lucky to have them as citizenry and we need to see more of them in the USA.

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