Desember 1, 2008
Statistic Time Again
About once a year, I almost gaze down from my Arctic tower to the (alleged) world below, but then I realize I don't need to do this, because my loyal servants are able to fax me statistics upon which I can pontificate (if, that is, I feel like pontificating). This year, I'll fill you in on gross national income, press freedom and higher education, three subjects you are no doubt fascinated by.
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Posted by barry at 3:13 FM Contact
November 25, 2008
We Celebrated No Music Day
Yes, No Music Day came around on 21 November (this past weekend) and we put on an event to honour it. The brainchild of KLF/K-Foundation musician/artist Bill Drummond, ours was one of a number of No Music events worldwide, as listed on the17.org and penkilnburn.com, the main event being in Brazil this year.
What's No Music Day?
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Posted by barry at 12:29 FM Contact
November 1, 2008
Stayin' Alive with Masselys in Berlin
Feel the city breakin' and everybody shakin'!
I was in Berlin for a whirlwind overdrive week in late October with the Norwegian band Masselys. This is the band Bjarne, Jomba and Kjell-Olav formed earlier this year when Salvatore split up. The band also consists of Jonas (from 120 Days) and a singer called P.A. with no previous records. I was with them to play on the album they were recording with German producer Boris Wilsdorf, who famously records and mixes Einstürzende Neubauten. andereBaustelle Tonstudio was a studio with a difference, as you can see from the metal hanging behind the drumkit. During the week I also got to see much more of Berlin, so I've revised my opinion of the city from last time. Come join me on this musical travelogue...
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Posted by barry at 8:21 EM Contact
Oktober 29, 2008
UNiK
You may remember that back in April and May 2007 I reported on the plight of small businesses in my part of Oslo (Grünerløkka). Since then, over 70 of these businesses - including Sound of Mu (pictured) - have banded together to form an organization called UNiK, which even has a discount card for sale.
Posted by barry at 7:17 EM Contact
Oktober 19, 2008
The Norwegian Way
Is there anything about Norway I am reticent to investigate? Certainly not. On North I get ever closer to the heart of the matter, and tonight I reveal something very essential to this depopulated Scandinavian nation.
I don't know whether tonight's subject is a Norwegian invention or a Norwegian cultural practice, but it's something you have to learn if you live here: how to open a beer bottle, the Norwegian way.
Gaze upon the picture above. See the beer bottle? It isn't open. There is beer inside. We need to get the beer out. This is not an Australian-style screw-top bottle, so you can't use the palm of your hand. And don't use your teeth, you reckless idiot! And no no no you cannot resort to using a bottle opener; that might be all well and good inside the E.U. but it is not the Norwegian way.
I'll tell you what you need.
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Posted by barry at 10:43 EM Contact
Oktober 12, 2008
Norwegian invention: The Treadle Pump
(Photo: Design for the other 90%)
I'm adding 'Norwegian inventions' as a new category in the North blog. There aren't going to be that many inventions to cover, but this must surely be the greatest: the treadle pump, invented by Norwegian Gunnar Bårnes in 1980.
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Posted by barry at 3:29 FM Contact
Oktober 8, 2008
Dacianos in Skien
(click for closeup)
On 4 October I took my third trip this year to Skien with the Sound of Mu collective... This time it was the "finisage" of the summer-long Tempo Skien art festival. We converted an extremely commercial-looking venue into a more appealing "cabaret" with fake trees. Two of our bands played: Jae and Dacianos.
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Posted by barry at 1:18 EM Contact
Oktober 2, 2008
The Blather North Podcast #3
Barry Kavanagh interviews the Norwegian artist Trond Arne Vangen.
Recorded by Barry Kavanagh and edited by John Birger Wormdahl.
The editors of Blather.net offer no apologies for the content of this podcast.
Posted by barry at 12:12 EM Contact
September 29, 2008
The New Dealers
In this page of the newspaper Østkantavisa you can see my street, and my local grocery store. If you click the image it'll enlarge, and you'll see that above the shop is a banner with the words "Vi bor her. Vis ser deg. Ikke kjøp dopet ditt her!", which means "We live here. We see you. Don't buy your drugs here!"
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Posted by barry at 5:20 EM Contact
September 25, 2008
Blather North Podcast #2: Nødhavn
The scenario: Blather North's roving and raving reporter, Barry Kavanagh, attends a party at Mir in Oslo for the radio show SuperSoniskSommer on the station RadiOrakel (see poster) and gets backstage to interview Tollef Berger of the legendary musical duo Tøyen, who are playing at the event. This is a reunion concert for the once-famous band. The interview, in which Barry wields his trusty 'list of topics to talk about', is followed with some Tøyen music, courtesy of their former record company.
Recorded by Barry Kavanagh and edited by John Birger Wormdahl.
(Next week: artist Trond Arne Vangen and the Norwegian drinking culture!)