Thomas Dybdahl is a name not yet familiar to many in the UK but in his Scandinavian homeland he's already big news and an established artist with four albums to his name.
Regarded as one of the most talented singer-songwriters from the Norwegian music scene he's a Grammy winner there, where's he's been compared with Tim Buckley, Nick Drake and the like.
His new single B A Part (from the EP of the same name) is a breezy affair, with a sunny 70s inflected vibe not dissimilar to 1972orSubtitulo-era Josh Rouse.
Ahead of his Latitude appearance and new EP next week, Thomas picked his top 10 Scandinavian tracks for a playlist exclusively for Q readers (Spotify users click here to listen most of them as you read).
Featuring many bands from his home town of Stavanger and the surrounding area it's a an eclectic mix from the quiet to the very loud, "This playlist doesn´t take into consideration if the songs are new or old, I just picked ten of the songs that I always seem to come back to".
Have a listen and tell Thomas and us what you think in the comments.
Thom Hell - Don´t Let Go (Spotify link)
Love this track and this album. I bet if you morphed Michael Jackson's voice with Paul McCartney, this is exactly what it would sound like. In other words, it all sounds a bit like "The Girl Is Mine".
Cornelis Vreeswijk - Somliga Går med Trakiga Skor (Spotify link)
Swedish/Dutch 60's radical Cornelis continues to get a new and young audience. Partly because of his persona and legacy but mostly, of course, because of all the great music he left behind. Hard to pick one, so this is pretty random.
Odd Nordstoga - Dag (Spotify link)
This is one of the most beautiful songs and lyrics I have ever heard.
Bigbang - Something Special (Spotify link)
One of the best tracks from their best album "Electric Psalmbook". Brainchild of Øystein Greni, Bigbang is one of Norway's best bands. Always great live and a very charismatic front man who´s also a fantastic guitarist.
Kings Of Convenience - I'd Rather Dance With You (Spotify link)
Melancholic Simon and Garfunkel-esque duo Kings Of Convenience got sick of the wine and cheese and wanted to dance. This resulted in one of their best songs to date. I never get tired of it.
The Whitest Boy Alive - Keep a Secret (Spotify link)
Hipster-geekster Erlend Øye (one half of the duo mentioned before) wanted to dance even more so he started this band. Very minimalistic and very retro-futuristic. I once met Erlend in an elevator in Bergen at 2 in the morning. He was eating an open faced sandwich with brown cheese and drinking from a milk carton.
Sebastian Waldejer - On A Wednesday (Myspace)
Very talented young songwriter from Stavanger with an ear for catchy melodies and interesting arrangements. One to watch.
Jose Gonzalez - Teardrop (youtube link)
Just discovering this guy, I'm slow. But what an artist, timeless.
Radka Toneff - The Moon's A Harsh Mistress (Spotify link)
Not originally from Norway but she's such a mythic and beloved figure here in Norway so I don't care. This is from an album called "Fairytales", an album that instantly takes me back to my coming of age days.
MoHa! - Sopp På Kugen (spotify link)
Übercontrolled noise chaos. Also, very good song titles. I particularly like Aids Of Space and Too Smart Enough To Drink
QTheMusic.com - Thomas Dybdahl's Scandinavian playlist on Spotify.
Thomas Dybdahl on myspace.
Thomas Dybdahl's website.
EP B A Part is out on July 13 (digital download only).
The self-titled Thomas Dybdahl will be his first full-length UK release on September 14.
11:12 AM | 16/07/2009
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Jeg må bare si at ingen har betydd så mye for meg i musikkveien som din musikk. Thomas Dybdahl. Musikken din traff meg midt i hjertet første gang jeg hørte "from grace", og treffer meg mer og mer for vær en eneste gang jeg hører sangene dine. Alt er unikt. Både din musikk og National Bank. Fins ikke bedre musikk for meg. Jeg tror jeg må være en av dine største fans. :)
Nå er det snart september, og billettene til konserten din og Lars Horntvedt er bestilit for lenge siden, og ligger å venter! Blir opplevelsen i mitt liv, forruten da jeg stod fremst på lillescenen på p3-sessions på Ingerstrand.
Håper du vet hvor mye musikken din betyr for enkelte! Du er et unikum!
Hilsen Karina fra Ålesund!
Posted by Karina Beate Longva at 9:58 PM | 17/07/2009 | Report Abuse
Thanks for the list, Thomas, and I would of course include you on such a list.
Regarding Radka Toneff I understand that you are referring to the fact that she had a father from Bulgaria who represented both folk music and classical music.
Still, Radka Toneff (25 June 1952 – 21 October 1982) was certainly what we would call Norwegian as she was born in Oslo by a Norwegian mother, grew up in Oslo, had her education there and eventually became a part of the Norwegian jazz scene by working with some of the finest musicians on the planet at the time. (No joke. She was working with Jon Christensen on her first recording and what happened in JAZZ at the time happened around him). Radka has influenced vocalists all over the world (those who has been aware of her) and her influence has been very strong in Norway and in other Scandinavian countries.
You are referring to a song from "Fairytales" that has sold 100 000 copies worldwide - more than any jazz recording released by a local, Norwegian label.
Posted by H.S. Sandvik at 10:55 PM | 17/07/2009 | Report Abuse
Thomas you're a genius, I 8/10 of those songs, stunning.
Clearly great taste and perfect judgement. Can't wait to hear you play
Posted by Arthur Landon at 11:17 PM | 19/07/2009 | Report Abuse
Brilliant playilist Thomas - lot of food for thought! the album release date is September 14th on the facebook - sorry to be pedantic!
Posted by Paris Green at 6:29 PM | 22/07/2009 | Report Abuse
The album date has changed to September 14th. Have updated it now!
Thanks alot,
Andy
Posted by Andy from QTheMusic.com at 2:56 PM | 23/07/2009 | Report Abuse
What an achingly cool list of tracks. I don't recognise anyone on it - I musn't be a true muso!
Posted by Alex at 1:42 PM | 15/10/2009 | Report Abuse
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