release date: 08.10.2021
GEIR SUNDSTØL augments his soundworld with vintage electronics and new collaborators.
Arve Henriksen and Sølvguttene boys choir join the Yamaha CS-20, Optigon, Logan String Melody, and regular compadres David Wallumrød (Minimoog / Prophet 5 / Arp Pro Soloist / Hohner Clavinet / Juno 6), Mats Eilertsen (acoustic bass/organ), Jo Berger Myhre (bass) and Erland Dahlen (drums / Schulmerich handbells / water phone / electric insects…)
St Hanshaugen Steel is an homage to the factory bearing the same name. Founded by the Jebsen Brothers the steel factory was in operation from 1890 to 1969 and was located in St Hanshaugen, a working class neighborhood close to central Oslo; now a sprawling residential area and Sundstøl’s own stomping ground. The title may also be a reference to Sundstøls signature use of the pedal-steel guitar.
While the sound of St.Hanshaugen Steel shares points of continuity with Sundstøl’s earlier Hubro releases Furulund (2015), Langen Ro (2017) and Brødløs (2018), there are some important departures. A new sonic palette is the result of his instrument acquiring habit extending to synthesisers, drum machines and other gadgets.
“Being born in the late sixties, vocoders, Simmons synth drums, and synths in general sound very modern to me” says Sundstøl. Hours of exploration and studies of this ‘modernity’ shine through this otherwise organic music, as does the analog modification of familiar sounds. “Initially, it started out as a technical project. I wanted to explore the possibilities of recording pedal steel onto analog tape, at the highest speed (30 IPS*), and then play it back at the lowest speed (15 IPS), exactly one octave lower. It’s still possible to hear this experiment on the album (on the tracks Smet and Våg).
Sundstøl describes the further tracks on St.Hanshaugen Steel:
“Lyssky” draws inspiration from spooky British sci-fi as well as grandiose, white wig-wearing composers. David takes us on a trembling journey with his Arp synth.
Ka is Indian Shankar and National guitar-Blues. Handheld bells, analogue synths and Norway’s most beloved traditional boys’ choir, Sølvguttene. The thought of their singing in my living room still fills me with awe.
Kløpper: Mats (Eilertsen) sent me a bass line, without any instruction. I put on the other instruments afterwards, it was a backwards way of doing thing, but instructive. I found it especially tricky to add the Mini Pops drum machine. The melodica solo is an homage to the late Augustus Pablo. Pedal steel and National guitar on a bed of dub beats. My Bermuda Triangle.
Hoven: It’s got ethereal organ, Christian church-like bass over a twisted Hindu beat. I play the usual National and pedal steel guitar, and to top it off, we added the Sølvguttene boys’ choir,. A ‘multi-culti’ song if there ever was one, with a spiritual twist.
Smet: This is quite an eerie mix of cold DX7 synth, electric insects running around Erland’s snare drum, upright bass and Parisian toy pianos. It bears traces of the mentioned technical experiment; recording steel at high speed and then slowing it down.
Omsorg: I don’t compose music – I play, make mistakes that sound good, and then try to create something out of that. This track has Guitar-o-phone, optigan, steel, \national guitar, organ and an upright bass that sounds like an old motor boat. The bass function lies in the harmonica. And the title translates to “care”.
Pøs: 80’s vocoder and Shankar guitar paired with the Wurlitzer Side Man, the world’s first drum machine. This is probably the only track that bears any resemblance to industrial sounds. It has a somewhat old fashioned melody line, like something the great Cornelis Vreeswijk would have sung about a dad working at the factory. For me, melody is the key. If there’s no melody, or if the melody doesn’t add up, I don’t get it.
Like his first and third album (the second was recorded in Jakobkirken) Sundstøl recorded St. Hanshaugen at home in his Studio Intim. Technician Bård Ingebrigtsen was on hand and the album was mastered by Helge Sten.
*Inches Per Second
GEIR SUNDSTØL – St. Hanshaugen Steel
CD / LP / DL – release: 8th October 2021
HUBROCD2642 / HUBROLP3642
Tracklist:
1. Våg (05:11)
2. Lyssky (04:06)
3. Ka (05:26)
4. Kløpper (03:49)
5. Hoven (04:23)
6. Smet (04:03)
7. Omsorg (03:19)
8. Pøs (04:07)
The album includes the single Våg [Wave] featuring Arve Henriksen.
Line up:
Erland Dahlen: drums, drum machine, steel drum, log drum, marching toms, xylophone, dulcimer, musical saw, Schulmerich handbells, waterphone, electric insects, blossom bells and triangle.
David Wallumrød: Minimoog, Prophet 5, Arp Pro Soloist, Hohner clavinet and Juno 6.
Mats Eilertsen: acoustic bass and organ.
Jo Berger Myhre: acoustic and electric bass.
Arve Henriksen: trumpet and vocals.
Sølvguttene: boys’ choir vocals.
Geir Sundstøl: pedal steel, National duolian, Shankar guitar, six string bass, Yamaha CS-20, optigan, harmonica, bass harmonica, cümbüs, guitar banjo, mandolin, Prime Time loops, Yamaha DX7, Logan String Melody, melodica, tabla and drum machines, Michelsonne toy piano, marxophone, guitarophone, Simmons SDS8, concert harp, Juno 6, cither, and Roland SVC 350 vocoder.