Today sees the release of Vestli, the new album from Norwegian band Spielbergs, out via Big Scary Monsters. Over the course of the last few years, Spielbergs have elbowed their way into the lineup of bands that you can always trust to provide a rocket of track when you need it the most – whether you’re wanting to indulge in explosive misery or want to be yanked to the horizon on nothing but heedless hope.
On their second album, Spielbergs’ sound is noticeably matured with greater use of dynamics and sharper production – which has only made the urgency and vitality all the more gripping.
We wanted to know more about what kinds of music they listen to, and the response, from bassist Stian Brennskag, is surprisingly eclectic. Take a look below, after enjoying the band’s own blaster “Every Living Creature”.
Brennskag: This summer, I often found myself thinking about or discussing with others the music that has shaped me throughout my life. Either alone in a forest somewhere, not really listening to music, but remembering it, or late nights with friends sharing our favourites, or in the car beside my father discussing and sharing the albums that redefined what we thought music could be. These are my four albums that I’ve had momentous experiences with the first time I heard them, and all made me rethink what music could do to me.
Cornelius – Point
[Warner; 2002]
I know a lot of people consider Fantasma the best Cornelius album, but for me it’s always been Point. The clever use of samples, the crisp drums, the cut-up guitars – it all sounded so fresh and new when I first heard it back in the early 2000’s. And those harmonies! Bliss.
Yo La Tengo – I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One
[Matador; 1997]
Another watershed moment for me as I was first experiencing this classic. I just couldn’t believe how effortlessly cool and relaxed it sounded, while still bursting with ideas, noise, reverb and beautiful melodies. Mind blown.
Blonde Redhead – Misery is a Butterfly
[4AD; 2004]
An album that moved me to tears the very first time I heard it, and continues to do so to this day. The sadness and melancholy of the melodies paired with guitar parts that I could never really figure out how anybody could write and make it work in a song.
The Locust – Plague Soundscapes
[Anti-; 2003]
Bought this album on a mini-CD (!) back in the days, and understood absolutely nothing of what was going on, but I loved it! I totally get it if people don’t like this, but the share chaos of it all still puts me in the same state of mind as the first time I listened to it. How on earth do you write, and perform music like this?
And what happened to mini-CDs?!
Spielbergs’ new album Vestli is out today on Big Scary Monsters (listen/buy on your outlet of choice).
