KRISTIN ASBJШRNSEN’s new release tour in Europe!
“The night shines like the day”
Kristin Asbjшrnsen – vocals
Tord Gustavsen – Grand piano
Olav Torget – konting and guitars
Svante Henryson – cello and electric bass
Knut Aalefjжr - percussion
Jostein Ansnes – vocals, lap steel and additional guitars
19th January 2009 Kristin saw the release of Kristin’s new enchanting and critically acclaimed solo-album “The night shines like the day” in Norway (Emarcy/Universal Music).
“The night shines like the day” is the first album totally based on Kristin’s own lyrics and music. The music is a powerful, mesmerizing beautiful exploration; quiet and intense, with an incredibly strong awareness in the way Kristin is approaching the songs. It’s soulful music that flows, touchingly grounded in Kristin’s unique voice.
The album will be released in Europe during 2009 (in Germany 5th June), followed by an extended European release tour. Kristin is well known for her great live-performances and she is touring with such an extraordinary ensemble!
About the songs
This album is all about loss and belonging – a journey of hope, embrace and transforming moments of life.
Kristin wrote the songs at the piano; but along the way the music developed within a haunting and distinctive ensemble sound, where West-African guitars blend creatively with the cello and piano. The arrangements are coloured by Kristin’s interpretations of African American spirituals on the critically acclaimed album ‘Wayfaring Stranger’, as well as her long term duo work with Tord Gustavsen. And they show traces of old gospel hymns and the West African danceable approach.
The album is produced by Jostein Ansnes, and Nils Petter Molvжr (trumpet) and Sizwe Magwaza (vocals) is also participating on the album.
Kristin says:
“I invited some of the musicians that have been very important to me during the past years. I feel humble and I am touched by the way they have approached my songs, with such powerful musical performances and with so much beauty.”
The arrangements live and on the album are so finely tuned and rich in texture, with an exceptional playful interaction between the musicians. Still the music – tender and somber expressions - maintains the simplicity and the warm intimacy from where the songs were born.
“The night shines like the day” carries strong imprints of love. The longing to embrace and being embraced.
“It has been a long journey since these songs started to grow in me. Working with the music has been both comforting and challenging. When everything falls apart and there seems to be no way out, we sometimes experience a glimpse of hope entering the darkness, that creates contours of a new view and new directions – expressed in the title of the album: “The night shines like the day”. Creating these songs has been a process gradually grounded in a strong hope and belief that something broken can be turned into beauty.”
www.kristinasbjornsen.comAbout Kristin Asbjшrnsen:During many years Kristin’s work has been causing euphoria among reviewers and audiences. Kristin has a unique voice and her trademark sound is rich with contrasts and dynamics, with strong melancholy and a feisty devilish energy.
Known for her very personal approach to song writing, Kristin’s roots lies in both the singer/songwriter tradition and the groove-based world music.
The captivating Norwegian singer has featured on a number of album releases, as well as a series of tours and festival performances in Europe. She has won several national Music Awards.
In 2006 Kristin released her solo-album “Wayfaring stranger – a spiritual songbook” (Emarcy/Universal music), based on her interpretations of African-American Spirituals. The album as well as the extended touring in Europe was met with outstanding reviews and the album sold to Platinum in Norway. The album has been rotated on the French National Radio station.
In 2005 Kristin made her international debut as a film score composer for the American movie “Factotum”, based on a novel by Charles Bukowski (Bent Hamer /Jim Stark Prod). The film and the soundtrack received a lot of international acclaim and Factotum was selected for the Cannes Film Festival. Kristin’s soundtrack album is released on the French/Am label Milan Records.
During many years Kristin focused mainly on work with her permanent musical ensembles DADAFON and KRШYT, where her own compositions played a core role. Kristin also participated many years in the vocal experimentation-oriented vocal quartet Kvitretten. Kristin is working with the internationally acclaimed pianist Tord Gustavsen. In 2008 they released a live-album: “Bessie Smith revisited” with the jazz quartet Nymark Collective. Kristin has collaborated with the Malien singer Rokia Traore and participated in Ketil Bjшrnstad’s “A Seafarer’s song”.
Kristin received her formal musical education from the Jazz Department at the Trondheim Music Conservatory, Norway.
Kristin’s Discography:Kvitretten (Kristin’s vocal quartet from 1995-2000): ”Voices” (Curling Legs, 1996)
Krшyt: ”Sub” (Curling Legs 1997)
Coloured Moods ”Coloured Moods” (Rim Records, 1998)
Kvitretten: “Everything turns” (Curling Legs, 1999)
Krшyt “Low” (Bp, 1999)
Krшyt “Body Electric” (MNW, Ep 2001)
Dadafon : “And I cant stand still” (Rim Records, 2001)
Krшyt “One heart is too small” (MNW, 2001)
Kvitretten: “Kloden er en snurrebass som snurrer oss” (Curling Legs 2002)
Dadafon: Release Me (Via Music, 2002)
Dadafon: “Visitor” (Via Music 2002)
Dadafon: “Harbour” (Emarcy, Universal 2004)
Dadafon: “Lost Love Chords” (Emarcy, Universal 2005)
Factotum: Movie (US/Norway – IFC Films 2005)
Factotum Soundtrack: “Factotum” (Milan Music, France/USA 2006)
Kristin Asbjшrnsen: “Wayfaring stranger – a spiritual songbook” (Universal music 2006/Germany 2007)
Nymark Collective with Kristin Asbjшrnsen: “Bessie Smith – Revisited” (Universal 2008)
Kristin Asbjшrnsen: “The night shines like the day” (Universal music 2009)
Kristin also appears on numerous album releases, among them Ketil Bjшrnstad’s ”A seafarer’s song” (Universal 2004).
