Friday 26 February 2010

News from Bergen

Hi,
Just wanted to write a quick report from Duper Studios in Bergen, Norway. Me and my co-producer and partner in crime, Morten J. Olsen, are there now mixing my next record with Jørgen Træen. This is our 3rd day and we are just finishing the mix of a song called "Blackwater". A fairly epic, dark post-avantfolk-funk piece, with a load of strings and other over-the-top features. The song also features Norwegian artist Susanne Sundfør. We are currently pondering the idea of putting a Chomsky sample in there just to really go overboard. Time will tell. Bergen is under 3 feet of snow at this time and winter seems never ending. I think it’s a good vibe for being in the studio, as there really is no reason, whatsoever, to go out!

We have done 5 songs and I have to (obviously) say that I am really pleased and excited about the way they are turning out. I have worked with Jørgen before, but only with the other band I sing in "The National Bank", actually I have never worked with anyone during mixing as I have done the other records myself, so I was a bit nervous about bringing someone new into the mix. Literally! But I needed it this time. The songs and the production is so different this time from what I have done before and I needed a fresh pair of ears to help me guide it and tell me if I was losing it or if I was on the right track. I think we are onto something.

Will write another report tomorrow when we start mixing another over the top piece called "Bombs Away" and my friend Rune "Bonanza Bones" Hagerup comes to town to start filming for a documentary.


Snakkes,
Thomas




Monday 15 February 2010

Update from Singapore

Hey all,

Hope this little entry finds you all well, just enjoying the lovely smells and sounds that follow the torrential rainfalls in Singapore during the rainy season. I am here, just writing, relaxing and preparing for what seems to become a pretty hectic year.

As soon as I get back home to Stavanger, in Norway, I will start mixing my next record with co-producer Morten J. Olsen and mixer Joergen Traen. The record is my fifth studio album and follows 'Science', which was released in sep 06. It seems like such a short time ago, but almost 4 years in this crazy business is a long time and I am really excited to see what happens when we release it.

Do people love it/hate it, do they think it's different, how much have things changed in regards to the way you reach out to your fans and people that might dig your stuff? The record is definitely different from what I've done before, but it's not a conscious choice or anything, it just reflects what kind of things I have been listening to and been into lately. But long before that record comes out, I hope to go on the road more in Europe and the Uk (I know, technically Uk is part of Europe, but when I speak to British people they always seem to make this distinction clear...Island people are crazy:)

Also, we will try to keep you as updated as possible and at this moment I am talking to my long time friend and film maker Rune Hagerup about documenting most of 2010 as there are a lot of things that could be interesting to get on video. Things could go to hell, things can go great...you never know.

That's it for now, pop back in to see the final mix sessions for the new album last week of feb, we will be putting snippets out almost every day,

Love
Thomas

Wednesday 10 February 2010

Win a Dybdahl songbook

If you haven't already ordered one yourself, you can win one of three Thomas Dybdahl songbooks by heading over to Thomas Dybdahl's Facebook page and tag yourself on the wall picture there.
The songbook contains all lyrics, chords and melodies for his first three (Norwegian) albums and is truly a gem.
If winning is not yours and you're more up to buying, you now have the chance to buy the UK debut album at a reduced price of £3 (CD)/£1 (digital download). More info on the facebook page as well ;).

Thomas on Myspace studio tour

Over at Myspace Thomas is part of the Myspace studio tour where you can have yourself introduced to Thomas Dybdahl's studio (where he records most of his stuff) and some of his instruments and recording equipment. Watch it here.