| Serena-Maneesh | |
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Serena-Maneesh playing live in Australia. From left: Eivind Schou, Einar Lukerstuen, Emil Nikolaisen, Hilma Nikolaisen, Øystein Sandsdalen |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Oslo, Norway |
| Genres | Alternative rock, shoegaze, indie rock, noise pop |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Labels | 4AD, HoneyMilk, Playlouder |
| Associated acts | Extol, Royal |
| Website | http://www.serena-maneesh.com/ |
| Members | |
| Emil Nikolaisen Hilma Nikolaisen Øystein Sandsdalen Tommy Akerholdt Aadne Meisfjord |
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Serena-Maneesh (previously spelled Serena Maneesh,[1] sometimes shortened to S-M) is an alternative rock band from Oslo, Norway.
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In an interview with Village Indian, lead member Emil Nikolaisen explained the word-constellation the following way:
'Serena' is an adaptation of the Norwegian word for veil... The name came out from this veil you can see, you can see the melody through a stressful storm of noise. That's what I love about music – you can work with this veil. There is so much stress in the world, you know? Serena could also mean serenity, serene. There are all these connotations. Then you see glints -- you see something incredible, but it's in the moment. It's through this veil. 'Maneesh' is a rewriting of the Norwegian word 'manesje,' which is the area around a stage. Sirkus Merano, remember that? We later found out it was also the Hindu Lord of the Mind. But it is more a picture... If you look at a stage in a circus or opera, there's an area surrounding the stage containing a lot of elements. Small, subtle elements that make the stage presence that much more powerful. That's incredible. If you take that to the sound world... The whole thing is talking about the sound elements... For that reason, it's perfect. If ever two words conjured the elemental nature of this band's sound, they are Serena-Maneesh.
The team of musicians who each contribute to the band's sound is organized around its main protagonist and songwriter Emil Nikolaisen. Nikolaisen has previously appeared as a guitarist and songwriter in the indie band Royal, played drums in Norwegian punk rock band Silver, as well as in the retro-pop orchestra The Loch Ness Mouse. He also played guitar with the metal band Extol.
Important sources of musical inspiration are The Velvet Underground, My Bloody Valentine, Amon Düül, The Stooges, Swans, Spacemen 3, Spiritualized, Stereolab, Royal Trux, Neu!, and Antonio Carlos Jobim.[2] In late 2005, the band toured Europe in support of The Dandy Warhols. In early 2006, Serena-Maneesh landed the opening gig for British band Oasis during its UK tour. They supported Nine Inch Nails on the Australia/Japan leg of their 2007 world tour.[3]
The highly acclaimed self-titled debut album was released on the Norwegian record-label HoneyMilk in the autumn of 2005. In December of the same year, the Norwegian vinyl label Hype City released an LP print featuring two exclusive tracks, and the Spanish indie distributor Touchme Records published the CD. In March 2006, the band announced its transfer to the Playlouder-branch of the Beggars Group established in Europe (UK, Germany and Italy), North America (United States and Canada) and Oceania (Australia). In June 2006, the band released an international edition of its self-titled album (both CD and LP) through the international label Playlouder.
The long-awaited second album Serena Maneesh 2: Abyss in B Minor was released in March 2010 on the renowned British independent label 4AD. According to Nikolaisen, it sounds like a "rock'n'roll chamber of magic."[2]
Current members:
Previous or associated members:
Serena Maneesh LP
"Drain Cosmetics" SP
Fixxations EP
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