Songs In The Key Of… Oslo

Fredfades & Jawn Rice. Pic: Christopher Næss

Norwegian super producers Fredfades & Jawn Rice take us on an electronica and electro-infused musical journey through their capital city

Hailing from Oslo and Lillehammer in Norway, leftfield electronic producers Fredfades and Jawn Rice have been working together on music for over 10 years in different shapes and forms. They bonded immediately when they both bought their first drum machines and samplers back in 2007, but it wasn’t until recently they decided to collaborate on a full project: their debut album Jacuzzi Boyz.

“With all the electronic music, the lo-fi techno punk kids, all the hip-hop acts etc combined, it’s really a lot of stuff going on,” the duo explain. “Small indie labels popping up, young creatives getting published about on international online magazines as soon as their first project drops. We both think it’s a good thing, but at the same time, you see how Norwegians are waiting to dig and hop on Norwegian musicians until it gets recognition abroad. It’s a Norwegian disease. Classic problem.”

Here Fredfades & Jawn Rice have selected 10 tracks that they believe reflect the sonic character of their country’s capital. To listen to them all in one go, check out the Spotify playlist.

ARE YOU LEAVING – SASSY 009
“Cool gang of three girls and a male producer. Electronic production by the dude, with vocals and flute by the girls. Sounds fresh.”

WARM COUTURE – IVAN AVE
“Our own family member Ivan Ave is rapping and singing back ‘n’ forth pretty much all over Every Eye. Here over some Dutch jazz-funk by Ronald Snijders called Next Day. Cool and jazzy rap stuff from his super strong album from 2017.”

VÅKNER OPP PÅ GRESS – EMILE THE DUKE
“Proper UK boogie-funk sounding stuff by our friend Emile The Duke. Amazing (!!!) production and kinda annoying vocals ; – ( which is sort of forcing the whole thing towards a new wave direction.”

MOVE ON – CHARLOTTE DOS SANTOS
“One of Norway’s best vocalists right now. This one’s from her debut on Fresh Selects (this song and two more was featured on a Mutual Intentions tape in the very beginning, before she signed to Fresh Selects). She has some amazing new (and different) sounds coming out this year. Stay tuned!”

SONG FOR ANNIE – EROT
“A classic in the Norwegian house music scene. sadly, Erot passed away in 2001, only 23 years old. He was living in Bergen, where I also do think he was born, it’s an important piece of Norwegian electronic music history, so we wanted to include it in this list.”

JUNI – KRISTOFFER EIKREM & BENDIK BAKSAAS
“More Mutual Intentions spam. Beautiful ambient stuff by our friends Bendik Baksaas and Kristoffer Eikrem. (Super limited vinyls are coming soon).”

NEW SLAM – CHMMR
“Playful and super well-produced electro jam from the man Chmmr, who’s currently working on a remix of one of the tracks off Jacuzzi Boyz!”

THE MEANING OF LOVE – KARIN KROG
“Karin Krog lives a 15 mins drive from Oslo’s city center, but also deserves a spot on this list. A pure genius, who never gave a fuck about rules and seemed to only do what she wanted herself at any given time. For even more progressive stuff dive into her 1979 album Cloud Line Blue with John Surman.”

SLARAFFENLAND – OLEFONKEN
“Beautiful new age-y sounds by the homie Olefonken. Sounds of nature, chimes, piano, field recordings and synthesizers. Never managed to get tired of this one.”

JABA 768 – SVEIN FINNERUD TRIO
“Amazing free jazz from 1968 featuring Svein Finnerud on piano, Bjørnar Andresen on upright bass and Espen Rud on drums/percussion. Perfect music for walking around late nights in Oslo when it’s snowing.”

Fredfades & Jawn Rice’s debut album Jacuzzi Boyz is out now via Mutual Intentions. Follow the pair on Facebook via facebook.com/fredfades and facebook.com/jawnrice.

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