Pica Pica @ by:Larm - Sunkissed Live @ Blå 2/20

So I've found myself in Oslo, Norway. I decided to study abroad, did some paperwork, and now I'm here. And after buying a coffee pot and a Norwegian sweater, I knew I had to find a way to check out the renown Oslo music scene. As it turns out, I sort of walked into a bustling industry-geared music festival called by:Larm - a showcase of Scandinavian bands at bars and clubs all over the city. And while I'd heard of a group (Katzenjammer), the other hundred bands were completely anonymous. So when I found myself at Blå on Saturday night, I was excited and intrigued with a list of unknown artists - The Megaphonic Thrift (kind of hard lo-fi with a touch of thrasher ambience), Fjorden Baby! (A heavy-beat, high energy poppy dance band), Put Your Hands Up for Neo Tokyo (a cool ambient/rock band with Why?-like vocals and unique guitar work), and a slew of others that I walked in for a song of two.

But coming from The United States where music has different influences, radio stations, record labels, and people, Pica Pica had one of the most captivating live sounds that I've ever heard. Headed by Rebekka Maria Markstein (of Maribel fame), Pica Pica's sound stemmed from her voice. Both clear and ambient, her voice created a sense of unique non-direction. Lacking huge peaks or catchy melodies in the traditional sense, I was absorbed into the vast and expansive feel of emotion, raw beauty, and continuance.

At times, I wanted to compare Rebekka's voice to that of Holly Miranda, My Brightest Diamond, or Mirah. And her beautiful vocal tone is similar. But her style was so different and new to me. On stage, her multi-linguistic songs, stories in Norwegian that I didn't understand, and new ways of musically expressing ideas and life were personally incredibly refreshing and fulfilling. The ambient feel and lack of clarity in the style made the rest of the show seem more clear. More clean. More fresh. Something that, as I've explored Norwegian nature, design, and food, seems to truly express what is Norwegian music.

Check out her Myspace here.

Bad Veins - Bad Veins

Bad Veins, a Cincinnati-based duo, is the definition of catchy indie rock. Emotional, resonant, peaky. Their self-titled debut album is full of pleasant and refreshing breakdowns, high highs, and a fantastic raw feel. The hooks are BIG and relentless. Layers of background 'oh's, round-like vocals, and a multitude of smooth instruments (strings, keyboards) make songs feel big and complete. And a creative, driving drum beat pulls the great layering together with loud lead vocals, making for an incredibly catchy and enjoyable album from beginning to end.

My favorites (though I find myself humming parts of almost every song) are "Afraid", "The Lie", "Dryout", and "Go Home". Listen to how well they capture broad emotion in a big, big way. The lyrics aren't great, and the vocals do get a bit whiny, but everything just comes together so damn well. The mix of upbeat and downplayed are great, and the sudden peaks are incredibly effective at making you notice what's going on in your speakers. Finishing up a tour with We Were Promised Jetpacks, Bad Veins is yet another band that makes me proud to be from The Nati.

Go Home

Check out their myspace here.

Or check out the video for the song, "Gold and Warm".