.::. about The music industry is hard to break into for an independent, self-produced artist. In recent years, however, success stories have begun to emerge from the shadows of the underground music scene. Many artists who have become known as “bedroom producers,” making music out of their own home studios, have gained a cult following that has taken a few to the mainstream. Could Bjørn-Ruben Thomassen, an 19-year-old, self-produced artist from Norway going under the name Bace, be the next big hit? “I ended up doing everything on the EP myself,” he says of his latest release 'Memória EP', “from the writing and composing to recording, mixing and producing. It feels great standing on my own but then again—there’s no one else to rely on if everyone turns out to hate the songs!” Bace began writing at 12 years old, though he only began recording demos three years ago. Around the same time he and a duet partner, Amanda Votvik, made it to the county finals at a local talent show, UKM (Ungdommens Kulturmønstring), singing the track 'Everything'. Though he has indeed been a musical chameleon up until this release, his current sound could be described as a mix of pop, electronica, trip-hop and hip-hop. The first taster from the EP, debut single 'All From the Head', has already received numerous plays on UK and Australian radio stations. “I wrote this track after seeing the movie ‘Almost Famous,’” he says of the single. “For some reason the 70s rock music really got me going! The story’s really fictional, inspired by hit men and murders and all, stuff that’s not really a part of my daily life. It’s a bit biographical still, of course, mostly for that part being about distancing oneself from feelings. It’s ok to be cold and heartless at times!” The track, which has a bit of an edgy and dark melody over synths and industrial beats, is definitely amongst friends in this somewhat dark record. From the tingling glockenspiel of '40 Days' fused with its hardhitting hiphop-beats, to the summery ambience of the soothing 'Blood Orange', to the uptempo melancholism of club stomper 'Nobody Knows You', to the orchestral swell of the extraordinary title track, the entire six-track EP is a moody yet inviting affair, featuring atmospheric and ambient production, hard-hitting industrial beats and honest, sincere lyrics portrayed through Bace's distinctive own voice. “Basically this EP is a collection of songs featuring different aspects and events of my life and the lives of people I know over the last few years,” he explains. “It’s not really the most uplifting record in the world! I don’t think I’m such a moody person in reality really, but I guess it’s my darker sides showing through in my music.” Perhaps the record gets its feel from his musical influences, notably Massive Attack, Garbage, Keane, Siobhan Donaghy, and a plethora of trippy electronic music. Though he has been releasing demos through his web site and MySpace page, 'Memória EP' is more beat-oriented than any previous release, and its eclectic influences range from blood oranges to Amsterdam coffee shops, funerals to hit men (some, of course, more fictional than others). “People have different ways of coping and dealing with things,” says Bace. “Some do paintings, some write poetry, some go for walks in the forest. I write, compose and record music, simple as that!” Bace has taken his artistry, as well as himself, to London for university, but the music will definitely not stop anytime soon. If you like real, hard-hitting music written straight from the soul, with no strings (or big-name labels) attached, he can bring it. 'Memória EP' is out worldwide on September 3rd with physical copies available from bacemusic.com. It's also available digitally through iTunes and Napster.com. Order now! By Drew Kolar |