Norwegians Actually Do Like Music Other Than Black Metal

Last Monday I dragged myself over to the Knitting Factory because I’m a music geek. Although exhausted, I was convinced that missing Hanne Hukkelberg’s rare NYC appearance would be a mistake. I had never even heard her before, but the comparisons to Björk and Billie Holiday told me she was going to be special.

By the time Hukkelberg transformed The Pixies raucous classic “Break My Body” into a delicate jazz number, she had already won me over. Her vocals were elegantly beautiful, making it understandable why she’s drawn honorable comparisons. As gifted as she proved to be vocally, the singer-songwriter and her backing band also had a sound of their own that combined elements of free jazz and rock, with unique instrumentation and a phenomenal back-up vocalist.

So, why haven’t you heard of her yet? If you read [NY Press], you probably have, but if you haven't it’s probably because she’s from the land of black metal—Norway—and until recently her music had not crossed the Atlantic. With one last night left on her American tour, Hukkelberg has yet to really crack the circle of music blogs that control the indie rock world, but surely those appearances at SXSW must have helped her cause.

Not only was Hanne Hukkelberg here supporting her own career, but also to help promote Norway’s expanding [Øya Festival], which has been expanding exponentially since its birth in 1999. [Tickets just recently went on sale](http://www.billettservice.no/html/browse.htmI?l=EN&TOUR=OYAFESTI), and it sounds well worth the trip. The event’s organizer described the venue, located near the center of Oslo, as beautiful medieval ruins. And if castles and skeletons underneath your feet isn’t reason enough to make the flight in August, a reunited My Bloody Valentine should be. And just a few days ago, ‘60s garage rock legends The Sonics were added to the list of headliners, which also includes Turbonegro, Sigur Ros, and N.E.R.D.

Photo by [Jonny-Leather]