There is no doubt that Scandinavian artists are currently at the forefront of the electronic and indie music scenes. The Knife, Bjork, Röyksopp and countless other major artists, musicians and djs have risen from the nordic states. In between these impressive names Denmark may appear to be a little out of step with its neighbours seemingly offering 90’s cheese-pop band Aqua as their most notorious export. This view is a little short sighted as the country is also host to worldwide renowned festival Roskilde in Copenhagen and has offered its fair share of great music; I’m thinking djs and electronic musicians Trentemøller, Lindstrøm, or bands such as the Raveonettes and Mew.
Because Denmark currently has so much to offe we wanted to introduce Danish Compilations; a website created by Mia Storm and Lukas Kaldan in order to promote their local acts. The duo had already been writing Danish language blog Wonders Make Joy; their idea was to launch a website in English thus making the local scene more accesible to us in the anglo world.
This concept is simple and effective and the website currently offers four themed compilation albums to enjoy. Being partial to Scandinavian electronic music I found ‘Vinter Wonders‘ to be a little jewel of electronica and minimal featuring artists Aebeloe, Andycap or Jonas K.P, who particularly caught my attention; I greatly recommend it if you enjoy the soothing and pure sounds of electronica.
Approximately the same electronic atmosphere but with a twist of rock is present on ‘ To Sider Af Samme Sommer‘, which again features Aebeloe and no-need-for-introductions maestro Trentemøller, but also four piece indie band Annasaid, strangely making me wonder if they could be the bastard child of Cassius‘s and Vampire Weekend.
If Indie rock is your thing, then Wonders Make Joy‘s second compilation ‘IndieanerMusik‘ should definitely please you. It should be noted that this album also features The Kissaway Trail; an old friend here at Cougar Microbes HQ. The vocals on Choir of Young Believers‘ ‘Hollow Talk‘, the musicality of Art of Ape‘s ‘Stuck in Freedom‘ or the spirituality of Chimes & Bells ‘Into Pieces of Wood‘… it seems that all the tracks on this album have something special about them and made me want to discover more about the artists behind them.
The fourth compilation ‘Lyden af Din Mormors Elsker‘ present another well-known aspect of scandinavian music: rock AND roll. The first featured band ‘The Band Bang Brain‘ sets the mood: this is about guitars, loud vocals, feeling young and free…. scotch, but on the rocks. With a touch of heaviness some tracks may seem overwhelming to some sensitive ears, but can be nonetheless soothed by the more delicate sounds and lyrics of Three Attacks ( ‘Love In The City‘) or 18th Dye ( ‘Amorines‘).
Putting all artists on the same level( from the worldwide famous to the little-known acts), gives us the chance to discover something new and fresh. With their themed albums the website ‘Danish Compilations‘ is a great initiative. … and all this, just for the love of music.
—–
Post by Olivia
—–
TRACKS:
