5/7 - "A very beautiful album you could dive deeply into."
-Groove

Fenêtre Records presents its fifth release, this time the full-length collaboration album between French multi-artist and electronica aficinado Christophe Bailleau and American folk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Neal Williams, also known from his moniker Possible Selves. Bailleau makes a welcome return to the Norwegian label since his remix of Greg Haines' exquisite "Snow Airport" for the label compilation RUFS. On On Soft Mountains We Work Magic, we find two quite different artists, both taking turns to feature prominently, but also presenting us with this magic of theirs that emerges, precisely as promised, when they combine their talents. Williams has a rasp, distinct voice and plays lovely folk-like melodies, both voice and instrumentation managing to sound meticulous and close but slightly out-of-tune and shaky, reminiscent of the vocal talents of his peers in Bill Callahan (aka Smog) and Simon Joyner. Bailleau on the other hand lays out lovely soundscapes as backing melodies, but also whole compositions bereft of Williams' voice.

Together the two weave rich textures and sonic patterns, fragmented melodies that we tune into before hurriedly moving on to find some other focal point, and overall the album has a very colourful feel in its presentation. In addition the compositions capture several atmospheres, some huge and floating expanse, wonderously unknown as Bailleau works his electronic magic, at times alien and unnerving, but also warm and fuzzy, carefully nested in more traditional folk tones with down-to-earth acoustic guitar melodies carried forward by Neal Williams' soothing voice.

Artwork by Erik K. Skodvin
Mastered by Andreas Tilliander

F3N001: Beneva vs. Clark Nova - Flotsam / Jetsam
Released: June 28th, 2007

A doctor once wrote a book about listening to Prozac; hence, listening to pasients intoxicated on 'happy drugs'. Depressions are weird creatures, and have influenced the arts through all times. The doctor who wrote the book asks himself: "What if Prozac had been available when van Gogh lived?" It is only through Western romanticizing of depression we can gravely ask such a question, and the sufferings will apparently stay an aesthetic ideal for a long time.

The two duelling artists Rudi Simmons and Frank Benjamin Finger have also been through hard periods, fought side by side with Sisyphus in the meaningless existence, and have in common used music as a liberating tool.

On a daily basis they both work with movies; Rudi with animations and Frank Benjamin with video. While Rudi has a background in the rock scene, including concerts at the Roskilde and Glastonbury Festivals, Frank Benjamin was the one introducing him to the electronic sounds and opportunities of the laptop. Together, they have played gigs at smaller venues, mainly home in Oslo, and now it was about time to document and store their activity.

The result is Flotsam / Jetsam, the first release in a series of 3" EP's by Fenêtre Records. The record is only one of many sides of the duo's expression; the abstract and floating, crossed between the acoustic guitar's linking and the laptop's clinking and grating. The temper is profound and melancholic, the tones are positive – just like listening to Prozac.

Fenêtre Records are excited to work with Beneva vs. Clark Nova, and proudly presents the duo for people genuinely interested in music. An album is already in its final stages. Enjoy!

Mastered by Eivind Opsvik

Behind the dark and cold walls of the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, our little hero Morten Samdal tries to live up to his fathers expectations after being forced into the cathedral boys choir. He fails. Morten sings horribly out of tune. He comes home with a letter saying that Morten should find himself another hobby. Dad is disappointed. This could very well have been the end of Morten's musical adventure, but no.

Morten never gave up on the exciting universe of music. After a few years on the ski slopes and the football pitch, he found new ways to express himself by joining the punk band 'Cheeky' as a revolutionary 16 year old. Because of his rather doubtful track record as a vocalist, he was wisely placed behind the drums. After 'Cheeky', Morten played in the bands 'Sifnos Plateau Collective' and 'Rest Of My Life' before moving to Bod to study journalism. Here he started a post-rock band called 'Youth Pictures of Florence', a band which got much attention in 2005 with their debut album Unnoticeable in a Tiny Town, Invisible in the City.

Computer music had never held much interest for Morten up to this point, rather the opposite. But suddenly, his eyes were opened up to the intriguing opportunities of the laptop and so Morten's alter ego, Morfar, was born.

The Skywriter EP is a collection of songs Morfar has been tinkering with for the last three years. On this record he has used glockenspiel, melodica and old dusty Casio keyboards in addition to the laptop. Against all odds he stands up and, in the face of all his nightmares from Nidaros Cathedral; he sings. On every track. The result ends up somewhere between the naive and catchy electronica of Kim Hiorthy, the Northern soundscape of Mm and at times the distant voice of Khonnor. His own inspiration, meanwhile, comes from bands like Mogwai, Godspeed You Black Emperor and The Cure. Even though a laptop may be the most important element of his music, Morfar has crafted an organic and natural-sounding EP for the forthcoming days of spring. It contains 7 tracks, 6 of them originals by Morfar, the last one being a remix by Kjempetjukk Bussjfr, courtesy of Healthy Boy Records in Bergen.

Morten also plays in the noise/rock band Build Nest Sleep who recently released their debut album on How is Annie Records, a label he founded himself. The Skywriter EP is a collaboration between How is Annie Records and the brand new Oslo based label Fentre Records, and were very proud to be able bring you this release. It comes packaged in a beautiful nostalgic cover, made by Morten himself together with his girlfriend Kjerst Solbakken.

Sounds interesting? The record only costs $9 (Scandinavia), $11 (Europe) or $13 (Rest of the world). All prices include shipping. Send us a message to info@fenetrerecords.com if you want a copy.

Also feel free to contact us for press/promo questions.