Langsomt Mot Nord

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Langsomt Mot Nord (en: Slowly Approaching the North) is a Norwegian synth-duo, founded by rock-drummer Ola Snortheim. The band has released three albums:

• "Langsomt mot Nord" (1985)
• "Westrveg" (1988)
• "Hildring" (1991)

Although a duo, each album actually features a different line up.

The music of Langsomt Mot Nord (LMN) is derived from Norwegian, traditional music and many of the recordings are based upon older recordings of traditional tunes performed on original instruments by Ola Snortheim's father, the folk-musician Olav Snortheim. The music is accentuated and arranged in new ways by extensive use of electronic instruments like synthesizers and samplers. However, the band also takes the traditional music in new directions by the use of acoustic instruments, such as strings, piano and woodwind.

[edit] The albums

• Ola Snortheim made the first album, "Langsomt mot Nord" along with Norwegian musician/producer Jørn Christensen, the guitarist with bands such as :
  • De Press,
  • Circus Modern and
  • Can Can,

Christensen is also known as a producer, and has produced for Norwegian bands like deLillos and CC Cowboys.

• The second album, "Westrveg", was made by Ola Snortheim in company with Morgan Lindstrøm. Lindstrøm – a synthesizer-performer and composer. He is the brother of Rune Lindstrøm, drummer of deLillos.

• Ola Snortheim made the third album, "Hildring", in company with Espen Beranek Holm, who was known as a pop-artist from albums like "Trigger" where he performs vocal and multi-instrumental parts. He has also played in some well-known bands, like Spastisk Ekstase.

[edit] Snortheim

Snortheim is perhaps one of the most important rock-drummers of the Norwegian rock-scene of the 80s and 90s and has played in bands such as:

• Blaupunkt,
• De Press and
• Circus Modern.

Despite having made three albums, the group has only performed live a few times. They appeared once at the "Top Pop" program at NRK TV during the release of "Westrveg". The show was recorded at the Rockefeller music-hall in Oslo. During the release of "Hildring", they appeared at Rock On Top Of Europe in Hammerfest and afterwords did a few, minor gigs.

The group did release a music-video for the tune "Ola Drar Til Myklagard" from their first album, "Langsomt mot Nord". It can be seen at YouTube at the address http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_pzdMOxM4w