Tromsø techno scene
Encyclopedia
The Tromsø techno scene is the origin of many of Norway's
most important artists within electronic music
. The internationally best-known names are Röyksopp
, Biosphere
and Bel Canto
.
The record label Beatservice Records
and the Insomnia Festival
makes Tromsø
still leading in the country as of the development and promotion of the genre.
. The first generation of The Tromsø Techno Scene consisted of, among others, Geir Jenssen (Bel Canto
/ Biosphere
), Anneli Drecker
(Bel Canto
) Per Martinsen
(Mental Overdrive
), Rune Lindbæk and Bjørn Torske
.
A local student radio by the name Brygga Radio, including Bjørn Torske, had success with radio show Beatservice at this time. Here was Vidar Hanssen
, who later founded the record label Beatservice Records
, a keen contributor.
The success of especially Bel Canto
, Biosphere
and Mental Overdrive
, both at home and abroad, inspired an increasing number of Tromsø residents to invest their time in the genre. This resulted in several new projects in the 1990s, with groups such as Aedena Cycle
, Alanïa
, Drum Island
, and Frost
. Svein Berge
and Torbjørn Brundtland
, who later formed the world-renowned group Röyksopp
, were very active in the scene at the time, and members of several of the above mentioned groups. Other new and important names at the time were Gaute Barlindhaug
(Kolar Goi
), Kolbjørn Lyslo and Ole Johan Mjøs.
In 2002, the Insomnia Festival
was founded. It is today Norway's leading festival for electronic music
, alongside Numusic
in Stavanger
.
In the later years, artists like Doctor Kataztrofa, F.A.C.E., The Clean Shaven Grins, Kohib and the award-winning Alog
have emerged from the scene.
decided to collect tracks from all of the Tromsø techno artists for a compilation CD. The result was released in October 1994: "TOS.CD - Tromsø Techno 1994". Established acts like Biosphere
, Mental Overdrive
and Ismistik all contributed exclusive tracks, together with up-and-coming stars like Aedena Cycle
, Electrip-C, B-Code, Information and Dynamic Bits. The album showed the variety in the Tromsø scene, ranging from relaxed ambient via poppy dance to hard edged techno/trance.
The album name refers to the airport code
of the Tromsø Airport, which is TOS.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
most important artists within electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
. The internationally best-known names are Röyksopp
Röyksopp
Röyksopp is a Norwegian electronic music duo from Tromsø, formed in 1998. Since their inception, the band's line-up has included Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland....
, Biosphere
Biosphere (musician)
Biosphere is the main recording name of Geir Jenssen , a Norwegian musician who has released a notable catalogue of ambient electronic music. He is well known for his "ambient techno" and "arctic ambient" styles, his use of music loops, and peculiar samples from sci-fi sources. His track "Novelty...
and Bel Canto
Bel Canto (band)
Bel Canto is a Norwegian music duo, originally a trio, fronted by Anneli Drecker, and signed originally to Crammed Discs.-Biography:Their first two records were licensed to Nettwerk Records in Canada and its second album was licensed to IRS/MCA Records...
.
The record label Beatservice Records
Beatservice Records
Beatservice Records is a Tromsø, Norway based record label which releases electronic music. It was started by Vidar Hanssen in 1995, who was dj'ing for a local student radio with the program The Beatservice Radio Show at the time. Beatservice Records have released music ranging from minimalistic...
and the Insomnia Festival
Insomnia Festival
The Insomnia Festival is an annual electronic music festival which takes place during autumn in Tromsø, Norway. The first festival was held in 2002. Alongside the Numusic festival in Stavanger and Ekkofestival in Bergen, it is the largest and most important festival for electronic music in...
makes Tromsø
Tromsø
Tromsø is a city and municipality in Troms county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Tromsø.Tromsø city is the ninth largest urban area in Norway by population, and the seventh largest city in Norway by population...
still leading in the country as of the development and promotion of the genre.
History
The city of Tromsø has since the early 1980s been mentioned as "the techno capital" of NorwayNorway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. The first generation of The Tromsø Techno Scene consisted of, among others, Geir Jenssen (Bel Canto
Bel Canto (band)
Bel Canto is a Norwegian music duo, originally a trio, fronted by Anneli Drecker, and signed originally to Crammed Discs.-Biography:Their first two records were licensed to Nettwerk Records in Canada and its second album was licensed to IRS/MCA Records...
/ Biosphere
Biosphere (musician)
Biosphere is the main recording name of Geir Jenssen , a Norwegian musician who has released a notable catalogue of ambient electronic music. He is well known for his "ambient techno" and "arctic ambient" styles, his use of music loops, and peculiar samples from sci-fi sources. His track "Novelty...
), Anneli Drecker
Anneli Drecker
Anneli Marian Drecker is a German-Norwegian singer and actress from the city of Tromsø. She is the vocalist for the seminal dream pop band Bel Canto. In the fall of 2006 Bel Canto celebrated the twentieth anniversary of the first album with several concerts...
(Bel Canto
Bel Canto (band)
Bel Canto is a Norwegian music duo, originally a trio, fronted by Anneli Drecker, and signed originally to Crammed Discs.-Biography:Their first two records were licensed to Nettwerk Records in Canada and its second album was licensed to IRS/MCA Records...
) Per Martinsen
Per Martinsen
Per Martinsen is an artist and electronic musician born in Tromsø, Northern Norway.His works include a vast number of recordings released under his solo moniker Mental Overdrive,...
(Mental Overdrive
Mental Overdrive
Mental Overdrive is Per Martinsen , an electronic music artist from Tromsø, Norway. He is often mentioned as one of the most influential electronic musicians in Norway...
), Rune Lindbæk and Bjørn Torske
Bjørn Torske
Bjørn Torske is a house music producer. Born in 1971 in Tromsø, Norway, Torske became involved with producing music and local radio before moving to Bergen, Norway. He has collaborated on many occasions with Röyksopp.-Disco Members:...
.
A local student radio by the name Brygga Radio, including Bjørn Torske, had success with radio show Beatservice at this time. Here was Vidar Hanssen
Vidar Hanssen
Vidar Hanssen is the founder of Beatservice Records, a record label for electronic music based in Tromsø, Norway.Hanssen is also involved in the Insomnia Festival.-Notes:...
, who later founded the record label Beatservice Records
Beatservice Records
Beatservice Records is a Tromsø, Norway based record label which releases electronic music. It was started by Vidar Hanssen in 1995, who was dj'ing for a local student radio with the program The Beatservice Radio Show at the time. Beatservice Records have released music ranging from minimalistic...
, a keen contributor.
The success of especially Bel Canto
Bel Canto (band)
Bel Canto is a Norwegian music duo, originally a trio, fronted by Anneli Drecker, and signed originally to Crammed Discs.-Biography:Their first two records were licensed to Nettwerk Records in Canada and its second album was licensed to IRS/MCA Records...
, Biosphere
Biosphere (musician)
Biosphere is the main recording name of Geir Jenssen , a Norwegian musician who has released a notable catalogue of ambient electronic music. He is well known for his "ambient techno" and "arctic ambient" styles, his use of music loops, and peculiar samples from sci-fi sources. His track "Novelty...
and Mental Overdrive
Mental Overdrive
Mental Overdrive is Per Martinsen , an electronic music artist from Tromsø, Norway. He is often mentioned as one of the most influential electronic musicians in Norway...
, both at home and abroad, inspired an increasing number of Tromsø residents to invest their time in the genre. This resulted in several new projects in the 1990s, with groups such as Aedena Cycle
Aedena Cycle
Aedena Cycle is a former Norwegian electronic music group from Tromsø, composed of Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge , Kolbjørn Lyslo and Gaute Barlindhaug. The quartet released an EP called "The Travellers' Dream EP" on R&S/Apollo in 1994...
, Alanïa
Alanïa
Alanïa is a former Norwegian electronic music group from Tromsø, composed of Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge of Röyksopp, Rune Lindbæk and Gaute Barlindhaug. Lindbæk and Brundtland were the main members of the group, but Berge and Barlindhaug were notable contributors. They have released the...
, Drum Island
Drum Island
Drum Island is a former Norwegian electronic music group from Tromsø, composed of Torbjørn Brundtland , Rune Lindbæk and Ole Johan Mjøs. Svein Berge and Gaute Barlindhaug are contributors. Their only release is a self-titled album released in 1997, along with two singles. The album was released on...
, and Frost
Frost (Norwegian band)
Frost is a Norwegian electronic duo consisting of Aggie Peterson and Per Martinsen. The group formed in 1997 in Tromsø, Norway with original line-up composed of Aggie Peterson and DJ Rune Lindbæk. They released their debut album "Bedsit Theories" in 1998....
. Svein Berge
Svein Berge
Svein Berge makes up half of the duo Röyksopp. Berge was born in Tromsø, Norway.-Musical career:* In 1999 debut as Röyksopp on Tellé with "So Easy" 7" and "Your Hands" on the Beatservice compilation "Arctic Circles 2"....
and Torbjørn Brundtland
Torbjørn Brundtland
Torbjørn Brundtland makes up half of the duo Röyksopp. He was born in Tromsø, Norway.-Musical career:* Between 1994-1995 Brundtland was a member of Aedena Cycle with Gaute Barlindhaug and Kolbjørn Lyslo . Release: Traveller's Dream 12" released on R&S* In 1995 Brundtland was producer for Volcano...
, who later formed the world-renowned group Röyksopp
Röyksopp
Röyksopp is a Norwegian electronic music duo from Tromsø, formed in 1998. Since their inception, the band's line-up has included Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland....
, were very active in the scene at the time, and members of several of the above mentioned groups. Other new and important names at the time were Gaute Barlindhaug
Gaute Barlindhaug
Gaute Barlindhaug is an electronic musician from Tromsø, Norway. He is currently known under the artist name Kolar Goi.As a member of the quartet Aedena Cycle, together with Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge from Röyksopp, and Kolbjørn Lyslo, he was a part of the second generation of the Tromsø...
(Kolar Goi
Gaute Barlindhaug
Gaute Barlindhaug is an electronic musician from Tromsø, Norway. He is currently known under the artist name Kolar Goi.As a member of the quartet Aedena Cycle, together with Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge from Röyksopp, and Kolbjørn Lyslo, he was a part of the second generation of the Tromsø...
), Kolbjørn Lyslo and Ole Johan Mjøs.
In 2002, the Insomnia Festival
Insomnia Festival
The Insomnia Festival is an annual electronic music festival which takes place during autumn in Tromsø, Norway. The first festival was held in 2002. Alongside the Numusic festival in Stavanger and Ekkofestival in Bergen, it is the largest and most important festival for electronic music in...
was founded. It is today Norway's leading festival for electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
, alongside Numusic
Numusic
Numusic is Norway's largest festival dedicated to the advancement of Electronic music and Art. The festival features record label showcases, club/dj events, live concerts, workshops, discussions, installations, exhibitions and artistic showcases.The festival is an annual event established in 2000...
in Stavanger
Stavanger
Stavanger is a city and municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway.Stavanger municipality has a population of 126,469. There are 197,852 people living in the Stavanger conurbation, making Stavanger the fourth largest city, but the third largest urban area, in Norway...
.
In the later years, artists like Doctor Kataztrofa, F.A.C.E., The Clean Shaven Grins, Kohib and the award-winning Alog
Alog
-Musical duo:The musical duo Alog was formed in Tromsoe in Troms county, Norway in 1997. Alog has been among Norway's performers of experimental electronic music....
have emerged from the scene.
The TOS.CD
To celebrate ten years of the Beatservice Radio show in 1994, Vidar HanssenVidar Hanssen
Vidar Hanssen is the founder of Beatservice Records, a record label for electronic music based in Tromsø, Norway.Hanssen is also involved in the Insomnia Festival.-Notes:...
decided to collect tracks from all of the Tromsø techno artists for a compilation CD. The result was released in October 1994: "TOS.CD - Tromsø Techno 1994". Established acts like Biosphere
Biosphere (musician)
Biosphere is the main recording name of Geir Jenssen , a Norwegian musician who has released a notable catalogue of ambient electronic music. He is well known for his "ambient techno" and "arctic ambient" styles, his use of music loops, and peculiar samples from sci-fi sources. His track "Novelty...
, Mental Overdrive
Mental Overdrive
Mental Overdrive is Per Martinsen , an electronic music artist from Tromsø, Norway. He is often mentioned as one of the most influential electronic musicians in Norway...
and Ismistik all contributed exclusive tracks, together with up-and-coming stars like Aedena Cycle
Aedena Cycle
Aedena Cycle is a former Norwegian electronic music group from Tromsø, composed of Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge , Kolbjørn Lyslo and Gaute Barlindhaug. The quartet released an EP called "The Travellers' Dream EP" on R&S/Apollo in 1994...
, Electrip-C, B-Code, Information and Dynamic Bits. The album showed the variety in the Tromsø scene, ranging from relaxed ambient via poppy dance to hard edged techno/trance.
The album name refers to the airport code
Airport code
An airport code is a short code used to identify a specific airport. There are two international systems used:*IATA airport code, a three-letter code which is more commonly known to the public...
of the Tromsø Airport, which is TOS.
List of artists
- RöyksoppRöyksoppRöyksopp is a Norwegian electronic music duo from Tromsø, formed in 1998. Since their inception, the band's line-up has included Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland....
- BiosphereBiosphere (musician)Biosphere is the main recording name of Geir Jenssen , a Norwegian musician who has released a notable catalogue of ambient electronic music. He is well known for his "ambient techno" and "arctic ambient" styles, his use of music loops, and peculiar samples from sci-fi sources. His track "Novelty...
- Bel CantoBel Canto (band)Bel Canto is a Norwegian music duo, originally a trio, fronted by Anneli Drecker, and signed originally to Crammed Discs.-Biography:Their first two records were licensed to Nettwerk Records in Canada and its second album was licensed to IRS/MCA Records...
- Mental OverdriveMental OverdriveMental Overdrive is Per Martinsen , an electronic music artist from Tromsø, Norway. He is often mentioned as one of the most influential electronic musicians in Norway...
- Bjørn TorskeBjørn TorskeBjørn Torske is a house music producer. Born in 1971 in Tromsø, Norway, Torske became involved with producing music and local radio before moving to Bergen, Norway. He has collaborated on many occasions with Röyksopp.-Disco Members:...
- Rune Lindbæk
- FrostFrost (Norwegian band)Frost is a Norwegian electronic duo consisting of Aggie Peterson and Per Martinsen. The group formed in 1997 in Tromsø, Norway with original line-up composed of Aggie Peterson and DJ Rune Lindbæk. They released their debut album "Bedsit Theories" in 1998....
- Kolar GoiGaute BarlindhaugGaute Barlindhaug is an electronic musician from Tromsø, Norway. He is currently known under the artist name Kolar Goi.As a member of the quartet Aedena Cycle, together with Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge from Röyksopp, and Kolbjørn Lyslo, he was a part of the second generation of the Tromsø...
- Aedena CycleAedena CycleAedena Cycle is a former Norwegian electronic music group from Tromsø, composed of Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge , Kolbjørn Lyslo and Gaute Barlindhaug. The quartet released an EP called "The Travellers' Dream EP" on R&S/Apollo in 1994...
- AlanïaAlanïaAlanïa is a former Norwegian electronic music group from Tromsø, composed of Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge of Röyksopp, Rune Lindbæk and Gaute Barlindhaug. Lindbæk and Brundtland were the main members of the group, but Berge and Barlindhaug were notable contributors. They have released the...
- Drum IslandDrum IslandDrum Island is a former Norwegian electronic music group from Tromsø, composed of Torbjørn Brundtland , Rune Lindbæk and Ole Johan Mjøs. Svein Berge and Gaute Barlindhaug are contributors. Their only release is a self-titled album released in 1997, along with two singles. The album was released on...
- Those Norwegians
- AlogAlog-Musical duo:The musical duo Alog was formed in Tromsoe in Troms county, Norway in 1997. Alog has been among Norway's performers of experimental electronic music....
- The Clean Shaven Grins