SUMMER RAPPORT 2005

We’ve done well in the competitions that we’ve entered, we visited Switzerland for the first time, we’ve been asked to play at several attractive gigs, we’ve written a bunch of new material, and we’ve come a long way in preparing the recordings of our third full-length studio-album.

But what matters the most is that so many of you have responded so generously and inspiringly towards our music and performances. For that we thank you! It is the essential fuel of which without, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.

Prix Føroyar 2005

It was a wonderful experience, the qualifying round, the semi-final, and Atlantic Music Event, the whole lot. This competition has done so many good things for Faroese music, and in spite of the disadvantages of competing musically, which principally is impossible; it nevertheless makes people show an interest. It’s an effective medium in which you’re able to present your music to a large, and in this case, very eager audience.

“Prix Føroyar” was broadcasted in the Faroe Islands, but also people all around the globe, all the way from Australia to Iceland, via the Internet, fantastic in my opinion. And that was the main reason why we joined in, so that you could hear us and see us.

I’d like to thank the organizers who made it all possible, and all those who wrote encouraging words in the chat around Prix, all who showed an interest in any way, and all those who took time to visit the concerts and applauded all the talented and brave musicians that participated.

Switzerland

So far we’ve performed in Iceland, Denmark and The Faroe Islands, but this year we were also given the opportunity to visit Switzerland. Enthusiast Felix Vanderberg put us in touch with a Swiss band called “Sundiver”, whose members were generous enough to let us stay in their homes, and who drove us from place to place and lent us their rehearsal-space.

It was wonderful to be in Switzerland, all of us had an amazing time, eating Swiss cheese and enjoying the local beer. We were there for five days and mostly we just walked around in the beautiful town enjoying the scenery, visiting coffeehouses, clubs, and stores.

We played in a town called Rorschach on a Friday-night and the crowd was great, after the gig we hung out with all the friendly people, we even signed a few autographs. One of our good friends from the Faroe Islands surprised us by turning up for the concert.

“Sundiver” is also an upcoming, struggling band and we shall return the favor when, if everything goes according to plan, they visit us here in The Faroe Islands in the fall of 2005.

Nordic Unsigned

I have to credit our bassist Hergeir, for signing us up to the competition in the first place. It’s not the first time he’s gotten such a brilliant idea in the late hours while surfing the Internet.

We didn’t hold any expectations to begin with, but as it turned out we won the May final. I would like to thank all of you who visited the Nordic-unsigned homepage time after time, and cast your votes on “Forever and Beyond”, thank you from all of us. Also thanks to those of you who told relatives and friends about the competition, and those who sent e-mails and in general spread the word, thank you. We’re delighted about the whole thing.

The June final has already been held and soon the finalists in the July competition too will have been found. Then please vote for us again, as all nine bands from all three finals will compete for the great prices, including a record-deal!

Upcoming Gigs

On Friday we’ll be playing at the Faroese G! Festival for the first time, something we’ve wanted to do for a long time. This is a wonderful festival, the best one here, in my opinion. A wide range of bands will be representing many sorts of music and nice, friendly people will greet you in spectacular scenery.

To experience Makrel’s performance, visit the beach on Friday at 18:15. We’re very exited, we’ve been practicing a lot and we can now promise you, that we’ll be playing some of our new stuff for the very first time.

On Wednesday after G! Festival, we’re going to Norway to participate in Storas-festival, which we’re also looking very much forward to. It’s our first gig in Norway and as you can imagine it’s always very exiting to see how people in a country you’ve never played in before will respond to your music.

One of our absolute highlights last year was when we performed in Copenhagen, in a club called “Lille Vega”. It’s a cool club, to which we were invited to play together with Faroese artists “Eivør Pálsdóttir” and “Gestir”. The gig was sold out, the crowd was excellent and we had a superb time, it was one of those nights where everything just clicked together beautifully.

So when the organizers from “Vega” asked if we would like to do it again, we immediately agreed and we’re sure it’ll be a memorable night again this year. The magnificent “Gestir” have also agreed to do it, but “Eivør Pálsdóttir” was unable to come due to her busy schedule, so the wicked and magnificent punk-trio “200” will be joining in this time round.

New Material / New Recordings

After the release of our second record and the concerts we played to promote it, we started writing new songs. During “Prix Føroyar”, we played four of them and as some of you have noticed we’re once again moving in a new direction musically.

During and after “Prix Føroyar”, we’ve been trying to write as many new songs as possible. Some of them are finished while others are still in the making. We’re very exited about the new songs and we’re hopeful about a third record. We’ve progressed as a band as we’ve become more aware of things we usually haven’t put that much effort into before.

We have decided to record the new songs in Norway after our concert on “Storas-festivalen”. To be more precise, in a town called Trondheim. Our first album was recorded in Iceland, the second one here in the Faroe Islands, so we figured why not try something new?

In this point in time I can’t tell you precisely when our third album will be released, but hopefully before the end of this year. At the moment, besides preparing for the upcoming concerts, we’re working very hard at finishing the new songs. I’m planning to write a daily studio-rapport while we’re recording, so keep visiting this site to read about the going of things.

That’s all for my summer-rapport. I wish the best for all of you. Enjoy yourselves and take good care of each other.

-Rasmus