Thomas Dybdahl has released five albums in Europe, but the Norwegian songsmith is still a relatively unknown entity here in North America. That may soon change, as he's gearing up to release his first album on this side of the Atlantic. Simply titled Songs, it will come on July 12 via Strange Cargo/Universal.
Although the music will likely be new to most North American listeners, Songs actually includes cuts from his previous releases. A press release describes the collection as "lush, intricately orchestrated pop," with stylistic touchstones including Serge Gainsbourg, Tim Buckley and Zombies member Colin Blunstone.
Of his North American debut, Dybdahl said, "Obviously I am anxious to see what people think of the music, but also genuinely, child-like excited about touring across the two countries properly for the first time with my band. There is a tendency to romanticize one's first tour 'over there,' but there is merit to it a lot of the time; I, myself, grew up listening to and idolizing a lot of American acts and bands and the thought of travelling in the footsteps of your favourite musicians is very inspiring."
Listen to the sweeping, folksy single "Cecilia" at the bottom of the page. If you scroll down, you can also check out the album tracklist and Dybdahl's summer tour schedule. He will be playing Canadian shows in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
If you'd like catch Dybdahl live, Exclaim! is offering up the chance to win a pair of tickets to one of the three Canadian shows (depending on your preference/location), as well as a copy of Songs. You can enter the contest and get further details here.
Songs:
1. "From Grace"
2. "A Love Story"
3. "Cecilia"
4. "All's Is Not Lost"
5. "That Great October Sound"
6. "Don't Lose Yourself"
7. "Pale Green Eyes"
8. "B.A. Part"
9. "One Day You'll Dance For Me, New York City"
10. "Dice"
11. "It's Always Been You"
12. "Something Real"
13. "Rain Down on Me"
14. "Songs"
Tour dates:
7/8 Paris, France - Salle Pleyel
7/13 New York, NY - The Mercury Lounge
7/14 Washington, DC - DC9
7/15 Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live Upstairs
7/16 Cambridge, MA - T.T. the Bear's
7/18 Montreal, QC - Casa Del Popolo
7/19 Toronto, ON - The Drake
7/20 Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
7/21 Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
7/22 Chicago, IL - Schubas Tavern
7/23 Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry
7/26 Vancouver, BC - The Media Club
7/27 Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
7/28 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
7/29 San Francisco, CA - Brick & Motar Music Hall
7/30 Los Angeles, CA - The Satellite
8/3 Trondheim, Norway - Olavsdagene Borggården
8/21 Brecon Beacons, UK - Greenman Festival
9/2 Tromsø, Norway - Døgnvillfestivalen
9/3 Stavanger, Norway - Rått & Råde
Although the music will likely be new to most North American listeners, Songs actually includes cuts from his previous releases. A press release describes the collection as "lush, intricately orchestrated pop," with stylistic touchstones including Serge Gainsbourg, Tim Buckley and Zombies member Colin Blunstone.
Of his North American debut, Dybdahl said, "Obviously I am anxious to see what people think of the music, but also genuinely, child-like excited about touring across the two countries properly for the first time with my band. There is a tendency to romanticize one's first tour 'over there,' but there is merit to it a lot of the time; I, myself, grew up listening to and idolizing a lot of American acts and bands and the thought of travelling in the footsteps of your favourite musicians is very inspiring."
Listen to the sweeping, folksy single "Cecilia" at the bottom of the page. If you scroll down, you can also check out the album tracklist and Dybdahl's summer tour schedule. He will be playing Canadian shows in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
If you'd like catch Dybdahl live, Exclaim! is offering up the chance to win a pair of tickets to one of the three Canadian shows (depending on your preference/location), as well as a copy of Songs. You can enter the contest and get further details here.
Songs:
1. "From Grace"
2. "A Love Story"
3. "Cecilia"
4. "All's Is Not Lost"
5. "That Great October Sound"
6. "Don't Lose Yourself"
7. "Pale Green Eyes"
8. "B.A. Part"
9. "One Day You'll Dance For Me, New York City"
10. "Dice"
11. "It's Always Been You"
12. "Something Real"
13. "Rain Down on Me"
14. "Songs"
Tour dates:
7/8 Paris, France - Salle Pleyel
7/13 New York, NY - The Mercury Lounge
7/14 Washington, DC - DC9
7/15 Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live Upstairs
7/16 Cambridge, MA - T.T. the Bear's
7/18 Montreal, QC - Casa Del Popolo
7/19 Toronto, ON - The Drake
7/20 Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
7/21 Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
7/22 Chicago, IL - Schubas Tavern
7/23 Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry
7/26 Vancouver, BC - The Media Club
7/27 Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
7/28 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
7/29 San Francisco, CA - Brick & Motar Music Hall
7/30 Los Angeles, CA - The Satellite
8/3 Trondheim, Norway - Olavsdagene Borggården
8/21 Brecon Beacons, UK - Greenman Festival
9/2 Tromsø, Norway - Døgnvillfestivalen
9/3 Stavanger, Norway - Rått & Råde
