Download new article about Kristin written by MIC Norway spring 2009 - the night shines like the day

Download article about Kristin written by MIC Norway 2007 - Wayfaring stranger - a spiritual songbook

Kristin Asbjørnsen is a Norwegian singer and composer.

During many years Kristin’s work has been causing euphoria among reviewers and audiences.

Known for her very personal approach to songwriting, Kristin’s roots lies in both the singer/songwriter tradition and the groove-based world music. Her trademark sound is rich with contrasts and dynamics, with strong melancholy and a feisty devilish energy. Kristin has a unique voice, and is a master of smooth tone, organic distortion, and bright and complicated singing techniques.
Kristin has featured on a number of album releases, as well as a series of tours and festival performances in Europe. She has won several national Music Awards.

19th January 2009 saw the Norwegian release of Kristin's new enchanting solo-album: "The night shines like the day". The album has been critically acclaimed and this is the first album totally based on Kristin’s own lyrics and music. These days Kristin is doing a release tour in Norway. The album will be released in Germany 5th June 09.

In 2006/7 Kristin released her long-awaited solo-album “Wayfaring stranger – a spiritual songbook”, based on Kristin’s interpretations of African-American Spirituals. The album as well as the extended touring in Europe is met with outstanding reviews and the album has sold to Platinum in Norway.
The album is now being released in France.

In 2005 Kristin made her international debut as a film score composer for the movie «Factotum», based on a novel by Charles Bukowski. This is a Norwegian/American production by Bent Hamer/Jim Stark.

In 2008 Kristin worked a lot with the Jazz Quartet: Nymark Collective (with Kåre Nymark - trumpet, Tord Gustavsen - piano, Mats Eilertsen - bass and Kenneth Ekornes - drums) releasing a Live- album: "Bessie Smith revisited – live in concert”.

During many years Kristin focused mainly on work with her three permanent musical ensembles DADAFON and KRØYT, where her own compositions played a core role. Kristin also participated many years in the vocal experimentation-oriented vocal quartet Kvitretten.

In addition to writing her own lyrics, she is using Victorian and contemporary poems for her music. Kristin received her formal musical education from the Jazz Department at the Trondheim Music Conservatory, Norway.

«Kristin is a phenomen as a singer!» (Helsingin Saunomat, Finland).

Download biography in word-format.

19th January will see the release of Kristin's new enchanting solo album: "The night shines like the day". This is the first album totally based on Kristin’s own lyrics and music.

The music is a powerful, mesmerizing beautiful exploration; quiet and intense, with an incredibly strong awareness in the way Kristin is approaching the songs. It’s soulful music that flows, touchingly grounded in Kristin’s unique voice.
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In 2005 Molde Intern Jazzfestival invited Nymark Collective to to a special concert with Kristin Asbjørnsen based on the Bessie Smith Repertoir. The response was overwhelming and the concert was followed by a lot of concerts the last two years. In 2008 Nymark Collective and Kristin released the live album "Bessie Smith Revisited - live in Concert".
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In 2006/2007 Kristin released her Music Awards Nominated solo album «Wayfaring Stranger – a spirituals songbook» . Music based on new interpretations on African-American spirituals. The album as well as the extended touring in Europe was met with outstanding reviews and the album sold to Platinum in Norway. The album is now being released in France. Kristin is touring with Jostein Ansnes (guitars/vocals), Olav Torget (guitars/vocals) and Knut Aalefjær (perc).
Press release Spirituals (word)
Presseskriv Spirituals (word)
Presscuts Wayfaring stranger - a spiritual songbook
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In 2005 Kristin made her international debut as a film score composer for the American movie “Factotum”, based on a novel by Charles Bukowski. Factotum is a US/Norwegian co-production by Director Bent Hamer and producer Jim Stark, and is starring Matt Dillon, Marisa Tomei and Lili Taylor. The film and the soundtrack received a lot of international acclaim and Factotum was selected for the Cannes Film Festival. Kristin’s soundtrack album is released on the French/American label Milan Records and her music won the Norwegian Film Award: “Best Norwegian Film Music” (Kanon prisen).

«Asbjornsen is talented at conveying deep meaning and emotion through her vocals. The instrumentals are played with equal talent and complement Asbjornsen magnificently. I applaud her on her great accomplishment with this collection. It expresses deep sadness and extreme loneliness. She will go far if she keeps performing like this and I look forward to her solo album. I would recommend this to everyone. Though it is hard for foreigners to become music sensations in America, I think Asbjornsen will be the next big thing. No one should be without this wonderful CD.» (TheCelebrityCafe)»

Download Factotum Release in english (word-format) or in norwegian (word-format).
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Dadafon The last years Dadafon has been the main vehicle for Kristin’s song-writing. The music can be described as passionate love songs, where strong melodies and the powerful and danceable rhythms play a central part. In 2005 Dadafon released their fifth album «Lost Love Chords» on Emarcy/Universal, once again met with excellent reviews. The album includes the two main songs from the movie Factotum. «Lost Love Chords» is currently released in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Holland, Austria and Canada. Dadafon has won the Norwegian music award Alarm and has been nominated for the «Spellemannsprisen» (the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammy). In addition to performing at a number of European festivals, Dadafon has toured Norway extensively, causing a lot of great acclaim.

Kristin’s trio Krøyt, with Øyvind Brandtsegg (vibraphone/sampling) and Thomas T. Dahl (guitar) has also established themselves as one of Norway's hottest live-acts with their improvised, avantgarde, vibrant and mutated rock. Krøyt has released 4 critically acclaimed albums. The band won the «Spellemannsprisen» in 2000 for their album «Low» and won the National Composition Award for their song «Silent». Krøyt has collaborated with the Swedish «Fleshquartet» and the brilliant Norwegian stringquartet «Vertavo» to name a few. Krøyt has performed at a great number of international festivals. In 2005 the band collaborated with the Swedish cello player Svante Henryson, performing in Norway and England.

During a 10 year period, Kristin was singing in the vocal experimentation-oriented vocal quartet, Kvitretten. Kvitretten became almost like a Norwegian institution for contemporary, experimental way of singing; with a main focus on improvisation. Kvitretten received the «Spellemannspris» nomination for the album «Voices» in 1996 and has released two more albums to excellent reviews. Kvitretten toured extensively in the Nordic countries and Germany.

Kristin has also worked with the internationally acclaimed pianists Tord Gustavsen and Ketil Bjørnstad, as well as the Malian singer Rokia Traore.