Bergen, Norway
Foto: Embla Karidotter
Razika is the most honest indie-ska-punk band in Norway at this time. Their first album, Program 91, was released 2nd of may 2011 and their single Vondt i Hjertet is currently B-listed on NRK P3.
Our favorite place on earth is Bergen. All of us are born and raised her, this is the city we have a relationship with. We are all city-kids from the centre and “need” what a city can offer: shops, cafés, parks, cultural offers etc. And in addition to that, Bergen hare 7 amazing mountains and a harbor. Can it possibly get any better.
Yes, it’s one of the cities in Norway with most rain, but when the sun is out the city just explode! Everybody is outside and there’s a good atmosphere everywhere. Also, Bergensere (people from Bergen) is without doubt the coolest people in Norway. As Agnar Mykle once said, Oslo is the dog, Bergen is the cat. We support each other in Bergen patriotism. Just like the amazing musical environment: there’s no competition because everybody does their own thing and therefore everybody support and help each other. If it wasn’t for Bergen, the coolest city in the world, there wouldn’t be any Razika!
Cafè Mir, Oslo, Norway
Dunderhonning is a indie rock band from northern Norway. Their first full-length album “Sakte ut av focus” has gotten good reviews from Norwegian newspapers. In 2009 they played at the Norwegian music conference/festival by:Larm who said that they could be “the new great hype from the north”.
Ah, Café Mir. We don’t need any over-the-top politeness and expensive designer chairs to enjoy ourselves. To us, nothing says welcome like a genuinely laidback come-as-you-are attitude.
The interior is dark but yet colourful, vibrant and eclectic, as if your bad trip just turned good again. The bartenders play whatever music the fuck they want, which might very well be something weird that you haven’t heard before and would never listen to at home. This is a good thing – it’s this stubborn genuineness that makes Mir the place we like to go to get new impulses and inspiration. If you want to listen to dancefloor friendly pop music in a sterile environment, you have about fifteen suitable options just around the block. It’s okay, friend, different strokes. Mir won’t miss you, and neither will we.
This is also a great place to go to a gig with some underground band you’ve never heard of before, and since all gigs must be finished before 11 PM, you know you won’t have to wait all night for the band to start. And if you’re early and the place is empty, the bartender will probably be happy to give you his critical view on whatever’s in the newspapers.
It’s not just another place to get drunk, it’s a place to unwind and be reminded that YES, you ARE free to be whoever you want to be. Café Mir, beautiful, engagingly weird Mir, we love you. Don’t ever change.
