Langsomt Mot Nord (en: Slowly Approaching the North or alternatively Slowly Northward) is a Norwegian synth-duo, founded by rock-drummer Ola Snortheim. Snortheim a well-known rock drummer of the Norwegian scene in the 1980s and 1990s, and he played in bands with Blaupunkt, De Press and Circus Modern.[1]

Langsomt Mot Nord
OriginNorway
GenresSynth
Members
Past members
Websitewww.langsomtmotnord.no

Langsomt Mot Nord has released three albums to date.

Live performances

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Despite releasing three albums, Langsomt Mot Nord has only performed live a few times.

They appeared at the TopPop program at NRK TV during the release of Westrveg. The show was recorded at the Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo, featuring Steinar Ofsdal, Eva Knardahl and Atle Sponberg.[2][3] During the Westrveg-period, LMN's use of sampling-technology was on its peak: In the TopPop-performance, one could count no less than seven S series AKAI-samplers stacked on top of each other near the middle of the stage.[4] This was somewhat unusual at the time, and the group's extensive use of samplers and computers in their works based on Norwegian traditional music was debated in Norwegian media for some time.[5][6][7][8]

During the release of Hildring, they appeared at the Rock On Top Of Europe festival in Hammerfest[9][10] and afterwards did a few gigs: Among them, one at the Student Society in Trondheim, featuring deLillos, Raga Rockers and Langsomt Mot Nord,[11] and one at the Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo, in company with "Fläskkvartetten" (Fleshquartet), Stengte Dører and Einmal Kommt die Liebe.[12]

The group released a music video, for the tune "Ola Drar Til Myklagard" starring Lars Lillo-Stenberg, promoting their first album, Langsomt mot Nord.[13]

Musical style

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The music of Langsomt Mot Nord (LMN) is derived from Norwegian traditional music. Many of the recordings are based upon older recordings of traditional tunes, performed on original instruments by Ola Snortheim's father, the folk-musician Olav Snortheim.[14] The music is accentuated and arranged in new ways by extensive use of electronic instruments like synthesizers and samplers.[15][16] However, the band also takes the traditional music in new directions by the use of acoustic instruments, such as strings, piano and woodwind.[17][1][18][19][3][20]

Personnel

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Each album by Langsomt Mot Nord has featured a different line up.[17]

Snortheim recorded the first album, Langsomt mot Nord along with Norwegian musician/producer Jørn Christensen, the guitarist with bands such as De Press, Circus Modern and Can Can. Christensen is also known as a record producer, and has produced for Norwegian bands such as deLillos and CC Cowboys.[21][22]

The second album, Westrveg, was recorded by Snortheim in company with Morgan Lindstrøm. Lindstrøm, a synthesizer performer and composer, and is the brother of Rune Lindstrøm, drummer of deLillos.[23][24]

The third album, Hildring, was recorded with Espen Beranek Holm, who was known as a pop artist from albums including Trigger, where he performed vocal and multi-instrumental parts. Holm has also played in some well-known bands, such as Spastisk Ekstase.[25][26]

Discography

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References

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  1. ^ a b En hardtslående Trommeslager, Ola Snortheim biography, (in Norwegian) Dølen 01.04.2004, p 14-15
  2. ^ Norsk kvalitet på Rockefeller, (in Norwegian) Osloavisen 09.09.1988
  3. ^ a b Fres i fjøset, (in Norwegian) VG 23.09.1988
  4. ^ Westrveg release-concert, langsomtmotnord.no
  5. ^ Med computere og bukkehorn, (in Norwegian) A-Magasinet 15.03.1986, p 34-35
  6. ^ Datamusikk og bukkehorn, (in Norwegian) Bergens Tidende 1985
  7. ^ Musikk med seljefløyte og computer, (in Norwegian) Aftenposten Weekend 24.09.1988, p 27
  8. ^ Spennende fra Ola Snortheim, (in Norwegian) Gudbrandsdølen 29.09.1988
  9. ^ "Langsomt mot nord" - mot nord, (in Norwegian) Gudbrandsdølen 01.07.1989, p 6
  10. ^ For 3000 i Hammerfest, (in Norwegian) VG 10.7.1989, p 31
  11. ^ Concert Poster : Studentersamfundet, langsomtmotnord.no
  12. ^ Concert Poster : Animal Aid, langsomtmotnord.no
  13. ^ Ola drar til Myklagard, NRK TV – Videospeilet 18.04.1986
  14. ^ The foremost langeleik player in late 1900s, ta:lik
  15. ^ "Westrveg // Images - Equipment that was used". Langsomt Mot Nord. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  16. ^ "LMN // Images - Recording and Production". Langsomt Mot Nord. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  17. ^ a b "About Langsomt Mot Nord". Langsomt Mot Nord (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  18. ^ Langsomt Mot Nord (Norway), Encyclopedia of Electronic Music
  19. ^ Langsomt Mot Nord: Westrveg, Curock, autumn 1988
  20. ^ Norwegian synth/folk project Langsomt Mot Nord crowdfunds 4 LP vinyl remasters box set, Side-Line Magazine
  21. ^ Langsomt Mot Nord / LMN , langsomtmotnord.no
  22. ^ Ola dræg åt Myklagard, (in Norwegian) Musikkavisen PULS No 10, oct 1985, p 14-15
  23. ^ Westrveg, langsomtmotnord.no
  24. ^ Godot er her, (in Norwegian) Musikkavisen Puls No 9/10 1988, p 24-25
  25. ^ Hildring, langsomtmotnord.no
  26. ^ På jakt etter det rette bleep, (in Norwegian) Musikkavisen PULS No 2, feb 1992, p 20-21

Sources in Norwegian

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