 Norway
has brought us a lot of influential new music recently. Starting
from A-ha in the 80s to more recent acts such as Kings Of Convenience
or Royksöpp.
Though musically having a different background Erk Wiemår
from Rendsbørg/Norway also knows quite well how to write
great pop songs. ERK once started his “career” as
a cocktail bar piano player in the business lounges of Oslo.
“They made me play all kinds of bossa and jazz standards.”
he recalls. But that surely didn’t harm him at all.
ERK’s style is a tasteful mixture somewhere between
Aztec Camera and Randy Newman, the late John Lennon as well
as Ben Folds. Especially the Australian songwriter Ben Folds
remains a strong influence on ERKs recent work.
As a keyboard and organ player for the Space Kelly band during
his 2002 Japan tour, Erk had a little chance to show his unique
and highly sophisticated piano style. But that surely isn’t
enough for him!
Now, ERK has just finished his first recording session together
with a bass player and a drummer. “Piano, bass and drums
– I don’t think I really need anymore instruments!”
– and he’s damn right!
“A Girl Named Boo” is a cracking
and fresh less than 2 minute pop song! Of that kind we haven’t
heard since Ben Folds Five’s “Underground”.
Recorded all live without any studio tricks you can imagine
how explosive ERK could sound live on stage.
The AA-Side features a loungey cover version of Tears
For Fears’ top hit “Shout”.
Here we can witness ERK’ s past as a cockail bar piano
player...
This limited double A-side 7” single is just the beginning
of a career of a promising young Norwegian with the funny
name ERK. |
