Thursday, December 15, 2016

Swedish Grammy nominee for Groupa!

Groupa is nominated for Album of the year - Folk,Singer/Songwriter 2016.

Photo by Knut Bry/Cover by Lasse Berntzen

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Icemusicfestival documentary broadcast on Australian TV

UK made documentary about Icemusicfestival on Foxtel - Dec 10 & 12.
"Norwegian percussionist Terje Isungset with his team of dedicated musicians and sculptures called the 'Ice Team', builds and play instruments made entirely of ice at the Ice Music Festival in Norway, the only festival of its kind".

(photo by Emile Holba)

Terje Isungset solo drums - tour in Japan 2017 confirmed.

Mid February 2017 Terje Isungset will perform 5 concerts in Tokyo.
More details to come.

Great review of Oase album



Så vidt jeg vet er det første gang de to går i studio sammen for å lage noe som duo. Mesteparten er gjort i Lærdal Lydstudio den 14. desember i 2014, mens Pettersen har lagt på noe man følte manglet, senere i The Village Studio i København, hos Thomas Vang, den 11. mai i år.

Vi får ti låter eller strekk, hvor det er lett å ty til flosklene om den norske jazzen, om at den minner om fjell og fjord, snø og vidde, og alt som har med norsk naturen å gjøre.

Alle ti strekkene er relativt løse i «snippen». Isungset har lagt ut en del rytmiske og melodiske strekk, som Pettersen har hengt seg på, utfylt og gjort fullverdige.

Og det har unektelig vært en suksess. Pettersens vokal er som ei budeie som lokker på kyrne, særlig i andresporet «Aerial», under Isungsets rytmiske og drivende perkusjon. I tredjesporet, «Oase», får vi Pettersens vokal som en stilleflytende bekk om våren, sammen med enkel og raffinert elektronikk over Isungsets enorme stortrommelyd og smakfulle steinperkusjon.

Og slik fortsetter det. Steinperkusjonen slik Isungset gjør det er det, så vidt jeg vet, bare han som gjør i hele verden. Og det låter originalt og fint hele veien. Og perfekt til nesten hvilken som helst, norsk naturfilm som vil bli laget framover.

Mange trekker gjerne sammenligninger til naturen i Jan Garbareks musikk. Hos Pettersen og Isungset får vi den norske naturen rett inn i stua på en helt annen måte. I femtesporet, «Jorden», synes jeg vi kan merke det spesielt. Med Pettersens ordløse sang, som ligger tett på den norske folkemusikken, og Isungsets løse perkusjonsspill.

I det hele tatt er dette blitt en nesten usigelig vakker plate, hvor Isungsets originale perkusjon koblet opp til Pettersens fine sang, fløytespill og elektronikk, skaper en trolsk og vakker stemning, som på mange måter kan inngå som en del av den nye, norske folkemusikken. Strålende!

Jan Granlie

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

New CD release: Terje Isungset & Sissel Vera Pettersen: "Oase"

New album to be released on Dec the first!
You can pre-listen here:iTunes
New album: Terje Isungset & Sissel Vera Pettersen, “OASE”

It might be improvised, it might be melodic or abstract structures - it might be wild and powerful or even very silent and beautiful.
The music of the album “Oase” is something by its own, and it doesn´t fit into any specific style. Sometimes inspired by  nature - wild, strong, fragile, wet, dry, cold or warm - or sometimes inspired by everyday life in general.
This recording beautifully captures the first duo encounter between two kindred musical spirits. An intuitive conversation between two significant improvisers who share a subtle discipline that results in a focused and cohesive whole. Terje Isungset and Sissel Vera Pettersen have previously collaborated in larger constellations, and through those grew a strong wish to explore common sonorities in duo format. They both draw on inspiration from nature and a wide range of musical cultures, and they both move in musical landscapes where resonance, timbre, space and texture are essential points of navigation. Wordless vocals, live electronic processing, and the use of instruments hand crafted from arctic birch, granite, slate and rams horn, results in a genre-defying album, and soundscapes much different than what you would expect from a duo of voice and drums.


Terje Isungset is counted as one of Europe's most acclaimed and innovative percussionist. For over two decades, he has experimented and challenged the limits of jazz and Scandinavian traditional music.
Crafting his own instruments from Norwegian natural elements such as arctic birch, granite, slate, sheep bells and even ice, he is highly recommended to those sensible to the poetry and simplicity of sounds. “Timbres” and “colours” are central in Terje Isungsets music and compositions.
In the press, his work has often been described as innovative, visual, energetic, and different from any previously known concepts. Isungset has also been commissioned to compose music for Jazz Festivals, Dance Performances, Theatre, Film, etc. (40 commissed concerts) His composition efforts have also brought nine critically acclaimed solo CD`s. In the book Percussion Profiles Isungset was given a thorough presentation. “Interviews-articles and discographies of 25 of the worlds most creative percussionists”. He has been given the Norwegian awards Jazz musician of the year and composer of the year.


Sissel Vera Pettersen is widely renowned for her extended and experimental vocal techniques, often paired with a highly creative use of live electronics. She has collaborated with artists such as John Hollenbeck, Chick Corea, Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Jon Balke, Theo Bleckmann, Marc Ducret, and Lionel Loueke, and has toured extensively all over Europe, in USA and Africa. Pettersen is the artistic leader of the vocal ensemble Trondheim Voices.
Selected press quotes: 
“Her voice a transparent gossamer of silk.” ”Hers is an instrument that can scape sound and syllable, making it the messenger of every articulation whether it is a whisper, an ululation or a prance on the edge of a scream”

-All about Jazz (USA)
"Capable of producing sustained lines of the utmost purity, wild ululations and the occasional melodic line that simply disappears off the treble clef, Pettersen's voice is an instrument of extraordinary flexibility. ...one of those powerful emotional jolts that really stirs the soul." -The Arts Desk (UK)

“In live perfomances one is struck by the flow of Sissels improvisations.
The sounds and tones just seem to pour out of her, each more daring than the next.
She makes screams, squeeks and noises dance over rythmic patterns as pirouettes on ice, while stretching time to it´s very limit.” 
-Lira Music Magazine, (SE)

Friday, November 18, 2016

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Award for film at Madrid International LGBT Film Festival


"Celui qui a deux âmes" de Fabrice Luang-Vija vient d'obtenir le Prix du Meilleur court métrage d'animation au 21ème Madrid International LGBT Film Festival 

Film with Icemusic by Isungset.

Groupa, Kind of Folk album listed as highlight!





Swedish magazine Lira arrived today with a review:
"Groupa is and remains a unique phenomenon, and Kind of Folk meet my very high expectations for this brilliant band. One of the year's best and most wayward albums!" 
"Groupa är och förblir ett unikum, och Kind of Folk uppfyller mina synnerligen höga förväntningar på detta briljanta band. En av årets bästa och mest egensinniga skivor!"


From Pastemagazine.com:
"The result of these three masters coming together is a magical musical geography that uses the natural timbres of wood and stone to amplify a kind of organic sound as rooted in Sweden’s past as in its future. Their last album, Silent Folk, was a masterpiece, and the new album, due out later this month, promises to be an interesting fusion of ancient tradition and modern sensibilities".

MDR Kultur:
"Groupa" - das sind Urgestein der Szene, aus dem starken Revival der alten Musik in Schweden ist dort längst neue Tradition geworden. "Groupa" als Trio ragt heraus, es klingt so minimalistisch, introspektiv wie nie zuvor und und geht innovativ mit dem alten Rohmaterial um. Nicht ohne Selbstironie nannten die Musiker aus Schweden mit einem Gast aus Norwegen ihr neues Album: "Kind of folk" - eine Art Volksmusik. Man sieht vereiste Fjorde und frisch gefallenen Schnee beim Hören.

Salt Peanuts:
".. dette er strålende musikk fra det «höga» nord, som bude være en hit på samtlige jazz- og folkemusikkfestivaler fra Italia og Spania i sør til Svalbard i nord. Strålende!"

Friday, November 11, 2016

Icemusic & glacier science tour.

We are doing two weeks of concerts combining icemusic and ice science.
This seems more important than ever to do. 
Professor Kerim Nisancioglu Hestnes with two of his students Nadine Steiger and Silje Smith-Johnsen are presenting facts concerning the melting of the Greenland Sheet.

Terje Isungset, Maria Skranes, Brynjar Vik, Atle Sekkingstad, Anastasia Isachsen and Aslak Bøygard are presenting the Icemusic concert.

6 Days left only:
Øystese, Sauda, Suldal, Forsand, Rennesøy, Strand and Bergen.

Thursday, November 03, 2016

Photos from our concert at de Doelen, Rotterdam Oct 28th 2016

Jan Hordijk: Photos. 
Terje Isungset: Icemusician
Maria Skranes: Voice & electronics.
Anastasia Isachsen: Video design & light.
Tim Hand: Ice crew.
Tor Magne Hallibakken: Sound design






600 people in the audience this evening.

Friday, October 28, 2016

Icemusic tour Oct 2016 success

The icemusictour is going very well.
Many sold out concerts & lots of press coverage (TV, radio & newspapers).
Some photos from yesterdays concert:




Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Icemusictour in Europe - Terje Isungset.

Great audience on our UK gigs so far.
Sold out concert in Nottingham today.
All looking good for the upcoming gigs. The freezer trailer is on its way trough the eurotunnel for tomorrows concert in Belgium.
Here is an interview I made with the main national newspaper of Holland today:


GROUPA Kind of folk Vol 1-Sweden. New album release on Nov 5 - 2016


Buy the album at www.all-ice.no
Listen to the music at: https://youtu.be/8Mew05KFDGY
Preorder from iTunes:iTunes

Monday, October 17, 2016

Program Icemusicfestival 2017.


Thursd-9

20:00 *Acoustic Icemusic*
Intimate Icemusic concerts in igloos
The students from the Bergen Academy of Art & Design (KHiB) have built a village of Igloos and snow art. This day you will be invited in to a unique atmosphre in the world of ice and snow.
Everything will be made out of ice and snow except for the audience and the musicians 😎 Have you ever heard ice instruments acoustics inside an igloo?
Part one: percussion supremo Ivar Kolve returns for his second year and will perform on his Iceofon (solo concert).
Part two: Amazing joik singer Sara Marielle Gaup performs with Terje Isungset and his complexIcepercussion.
Please note that there will a maximum of 40 people for these 2 intimate ice igloo concerts - so book early to avoid disappointment!
*More Details*
Bergen Academy of Art & Design
Ivar Kolve
Sara Marielle Gaup
Terje Isungset
Acoustic Icemusic concert ticket kr 325,- child kr 150,-
Full festival ticket Thursday 9th - Sunday 11th kr 1250,- child kr 525,-
Day ticket Friday 10th kr 600,- child kr 300,-
Day ticket Saturday 11th kr 800,- child kr 400,-
*Remember your warmest clothes*

Link to program

Friday 10

20:00 *North Pole - South Pole*
Polish sax whizz Grzech Piotrowski will try to create the world's first Ice Saxophone! We dont know if this is possible or how it might sound or look like, but with the legendary ice carving skills of Bill Covitz, we have high expectations for this concert.
Joining Grzech from Norway will be the amazing double bass player Steinar Raknes on Icebass, accompanied by rhythm king Snorre Bjerck on his frozen Icedrums.
22:00 *Finish Moods*
Ice Instrument of the year - the Icekantele!
Kantele master from Finland, Minna Raskinen and singer Anita Lehtola-Tollin (know from Finish group Hedningarena) will perform music from the cold wintery Finish forests.
The only professional Icemusician in the world: Mr Terje Isungset will join with his Icepercussion.
*More Details*
Grzech Piotrowski
Bill Covitz
Steinar Raknes
Snorre Bjerck
Minna Raskinen
Anita Lehtola-Tollin
Terje Isungset
North Pole - South Pole concert ticket kr 325,- & child kr 150,-
Finish Moods concert ticket kr 325,- & child kr150,-
Full festival ticket Thursday 9th - Sunday 11th kr 1250,- child kr 525,-
Day ticket Friday 10th kr 600,- child kr 300,-
Day ticket Saturday 11th kr 800,- child kr 400,-
*Remember your warmest clothes*

Saturdy 11

15:00 *Family Concert*
The ever popular Bill Covitz show. Joining us from Connecticut in the USA, master ice sculptor Bill will perform his ice carving magic. What surprise theme will he work on in 2017?
Terje Isungset & Maria Skranes will perform Icemusic whilst Bill shows the tricks of his trade.
Performing wintery songs from Finland's heartland, Minna Raskinen & Anita Lehtola-Tollin return with the ice instrument of the year - the Icekantele and lush vocals.
21.00 *Ice Music Party*
Fieh, a fantastic upcoming singer with her ice band - Iceofon, Icebass, Icedrums and singers will channel the spirit of Erykah Badu & D'Angelo with R&B, hip-hop and jazz with tight and elegant beats.
Put on your slippery dancing shoes!
24.00 *Full Moon Concert*
We are lucky to have the Full Moon himself around midnight. Magic light & Magic mood.
The music will be a mix of the duo Arvvas with their music from Lapland, icey sounds from Poland and Terje Isungset's Icemusic.
Sara Marielle Gaup Beska (joik), Steinar Raknes (ice bass) Grzech Piotrowski - Icesaxophone, Maria Skranes (voice) and Terje Isungset (ice).
Lookout for the Full Moon and bring your warm clothes!

Sunday 12

12.00 *Winter Songs*
Terje Isungset invented icemusic and has performed ice concerts since around the world since 2000. During recent years he has also pioneered how to perform Icemusic indoors. This is quite exceptional.
Together with Norwegian singer Maria Skranes, they will present the music from their successful tours. the indoor concert will be Geilo's iconic and architectural wonder - Kulturkyrkje. No warm clothes needed.
*More Details*
Winter Songs concert ticket kr 200,- & child kr100,-
*Remember your warmest clothes*

*More Details*

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Icemusicfestival Geilo 2017


By first full moon - on October the 16th - we will lounge the program of The Worlds only Icemusicfestival! (www.icemusicfestival.no)
Taking place second full moon of 2017 at Geilo, Norway.
Today you can read about our festival in The Guardian.

photo by Emile Holba

If you do fly British Airways you can now listen to Terjes Icemusic in their in flight system.
There is also a little future in the magazine.






Interview in Holland today:




Monday, October 03, 2016

Ice concerts in UK, Belgium & Holland in October!

What about a little icemusic "warm up" in October before coming to Icemusicfestival Geilo in 2017?
Indoor ice concerts in the following cities:
October 25th:England. Southampton
October 26th:England. Nottingham
October 27th:Belgium. Hasselt (Cultuurcentrum Hasselt)
October 28th:Holland. Rotterdam (De Doelen) 
October 29th:Holland. Eindhoven (Muziekgebouw Frits Phillip)

Terje Isungset: icedrum, icepercussion, iceofon, icehorn & icetrumpet.
Maria Skranes: voice, electronics and ice percussion.
Tor Magne Hallibakken: sound.
Anastasia Isachsen: video art & light.
Tim hand: ice handling.
Special guest in Eindhoven: Bram Stadhouders on guitar!

(photo by Emile Holba)


Friday, September 23, 2016

GROUPA - new CD to be released on November the 5th 2016.

Look out for the new GROUPA album: Kind of Folk - Vol.1 - Sweden.
All Ice records

Wednesday, September 07, 2016

A little update


 Just finished two great weeks in my summerhouse composing new music - commissioned to be performed at a festival in 2017.

Inspiring nature!

Have also had some trips to the mountains, recording sounds from the water.

Photo from a video session last week.
A performance with Frikar dance company late August - out in nature.

As some of you might do know, my ice instrument freezer storage at Geilo had a melt down mid August.
These are the leftovers..
The GSM alarm did work, but I was without any reception in North Korea at that time  - so the melting could complete.
Now we do look forward to new instruments and new sounds.
The audience at the Førde Festival in July was the last one to listen to the old ice instruments.
Luckily that concert was recorded by the Norwegian Broadcast Company (NRK).
Broadcast late autumn 2016.


Wednesday, August 17, 2016

New CD release: ISGLEM!



Release of new album tomorrow!

The duo Isglem (with Karl Seglem & me) has been working together for nearly 30 years. 
Around 2500 concerts of free improvised music ONLY. Now our 5th album is ready to be released by NOR CD - on August the 19th!

Some photos from last weeks work.

I was in North Korea last week to work with some very talented drummers.
Below you will find some photos.












Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Ice concert listed as the highlight of festival.

Review of our concert at the Førde festival in UK based magazine: Songlines.

 
"The most memorable performance was the premiere of Arctic Ice Music, by the world’s only ‘ice musician,’ Terje Isungset. He literally plays trumpets, xylophone, chimes and drums made out of ice. But however extraordinary and beautiful that is, there are limitations to what ice can do. So here he was working with Sami and Inuit singers from the Arctic plus Tuvan throat singer Radik Tyulyush, which brought in an awesome sonic landscape, created in just three days"....
"The various layers, textures and otherworldly sounds seemed like listening to an aural equivalent of the Northern Lights. Glorious, beautiful, but elusive. It is something that deserves to be seen around the world because it’s not only inspirational music, but there’s a powerful message in there as well"



World premiere of new music in Poland

Terje was one of 130 musicians on stage to perform the new written symfony made by Grzech Piotrowski.
A fantastic project. It can be heard on Polish National Radio, or on CD later on.
NOSPR.


 Krakow Philharmonie


Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Arctic Icemusic at the Førde Festival next week!




A unique meeting with the ice people and their music. Together with Inuit musicians Beatrice Deer & Evie Mark from Canada, Radik Tyulyush from Tuva, and with Sami Sara Marielle Gaup Beaska and Maria Skranes, Terje Isungset, the world’s only ice musician, explores the music of indigenous groups living amongst ice, snow and cold. The goal is to create a new universe, in which the music from the ice instruments literally melts together with the voices and tones from Jew’s harp, igil, byzaanchi and shoor.