Over the last ten years Kristian Kristensen has established himself as one of Norway's most distinctive and powerful voices. With songs such as «Kan du lære mæ» and «Du ga mæ viljestyrke» he has moved audiences across the country, filled concert halls and cemented his position as one of Norwegian pop's foremost performers.
Now Kristensen is ready for a new chapter
After years of success in Norwegian he felt a need to challenge himself and explore new musical expressions. That led him to Los Angeles, where a five-week stay opened the door to a new creative landscape. By setting aside the big productions and returning to the simplest tool he has, the acoustic guitar, he found a new way into songwriting.
– By limiting myself to just one instrument, I found a new form of freedom. It was about finding my way back to the core of the performance, says Kristensen.
Inspired by artists such as Adrianne Lenker and Bon Iver he has developed a more organic and intimate expression. Many of the new songs came to life on a balcony in Los Angeles, where Norwegian gave way to English and new ways of using his voice.
When Kristian Kristensen heads out on the road this autumn, audiences get to experience both the familiar and the completely new. The concert at USF Verftet offers a combination of the big Norwegian favourites and the fresh English-language material, performed with the same nerve, honesty and emotional power that has made him one of the country's most beloved artists.
Kristian Kristensen plays at USF Verftet on Thursday 29 October.
