By Guest Blogger: Nora G.

The summer hit “Ambitions” by Norwegian super groovy band DonkeyBoy made it’s way into my ghettoblaster at my 2009 summer party extravaganza. The super funky and catchy song is the latest hit from this young and ambitious quintet. They see themselves as a strongly meshed group of friends with musical roots firmly planted in the 80’s, the decade they were all actually born.

At the same time, they lable their own music as being a new kind of 80s synth-pop, or fun pop, based on the essence of all that was good during the 80s music scene. Others have called it retro fresh or credible mainstream, but either way, playing their newest song “Ambitions” repeatedly on max did result in my neighbours calling the police. Oops! And if that is not a rocking compliment, I don’t know what is….

Check them out here with their live performance of “Ambitions”…. 

Norway’s own Casiokids are funky, fun and from the looks of it, chic and cool. I also have no idea what they’re singing about, but I had no problem getting into the beat and getting entertained by the hipster Norwegians in a hot air balloon. Casiokids are about to drop their new single “Finn Bikkjen!” on August 3rd. . . and oh wait, look at that. . . you can get the free MP3 here! Now! How nice is that?! The simple beat is catchy and their skills on that Casio keyboard are impressive. Although, the giant heads on percussion are a tad scary, but that can be overlooked.

Casiokids “Finn Bikkjen!” MP3

Right click to download

And check out the super fly hot air balloon performance below (you’ve already been warned about the giant heads!).

I tell ya, those Norwegians. . . too cool for school. 

Norway’s quirky quartet Katzenjammer will be at next weekend’s 2009 Boonaroo Festival. And to be honest, I wasn’t so sure when I saw their name and list of the 29 self-taught instruments on their resumes (yes, I really said 29!) – tom tom, trash can, accordian, piano, tack piano, vibraphone, trumpet, zitar, mellotron, horn, tube, domra, pump organ, melodica, harmonica, banjo, glockenspiel, pipe organ, cookie boxes, guitar, ukelele, kazoo, music box, contrabass balalka, barrel organ, cymbols, drums, trumpet, violin and cello - it just seemed like too much for my ears to sift through.

But one listen and I was a changed woman. I love it. I love their style and their peculiar approach is vibrant and fiery. . . and fun. Check out the video for their newest single “A Bar in Amsterdam” , it’s cute, catchy and a foot tapping fest.

US Tour Dates:
11th June – Sundown In The City (Knoxville, TN)
12th June – Bonnaroo Arts & Music Festival (Nashville, TN)
16th June – Mercury Lounge (New York, NY)
4th July – Summerfest (Milwaukee, WI)