BALLADS

"Ballads" is the first collaborative album by two key figures of the Norwegian noise, improv, experimental, whatever-you-call-it music scene. Anyone expecting a rackety wall of distorted feedback guitars and voices will be gently surprised though by the sparse and intimate sketches to be found on this wonderful record. Songs are stripped down to their raw bones using only the most essential elements to reveal the soul behind every single sound. MAJA RATKJE is a member of Spunk (Rune Grammofon) and noise duo Fe-Mail. She has collaborated with Jaap Blonk, Ikue Mori, Otomo Yoshihide, Wolf Eyes, Matmos, Lasse Marhaug, Jason Forrest, Kim Hiortoy, Ulver and many others. JOHN HEGRE is a member of Jazzkammer (Smalltown Supersound), Kaptein Kaliber, Golden Serenades, New Boiling Near The Fjords (with members of Alog) and others." www.lowlands.be