Famous for the fjords, the northern lights and the midnight sun, Norway is a country known for its abundance of beauty, and Oslo based band Highasakite echo this idea entirely. Featuring majestic instrumentals in their ethereal indie-pop sound, the Norwegian newcomers enchanted audience members of Melbourne’s Howler Bar last Saturday night as part of their very first Australian tour.
While the band’s 2012 debut album All That Floats Will Rain didn’t make it big here in Oz, new single ‘Since Last Wednesday’ has won Highasakite acclaim across the globe. After abundance of positive reviews on the recent release of the sophomore album, Silent Treatment, which ‘Since Last Wednesday’ features on, the five-piece have experienced enormous levels of success in Australia and a multitude of radio play, spurring on a short but sweet tour playing shows in Melbourne and Sydney.
Originally only a two piece act, vocalist Ingrid Helene Håvik and drummer Trond Bersu decided they needed to expand the band in order create the sound they sought to perform. With new additions Øystein Skar and Marte Eberson both on synths, as well as Kristoffer Lo on guitar, percussion and the less commonly seen flugabone (an instrument resembling a combination of a trumpet and trombone) the band have succeeded in producing a unique, otherworldly sound that sets them apart from any other indie pop acts on the scene.
The mood of the night during the band’s second show at Melbourne’s Howler Bar was set early on with that same mystical sound, heavy on the synth, and just the right about of xylophone. The stage was well matched with a somewhat celestial ambience, set with a delicate, soft lighting display including strategically placed individual globes.
‘Lover, Where Do You Live?’ was first up on the set list; putting Håvik’s powerful yet sweet vocals on display right from the get go. Håvik’s distinctive singing voice adds to Highasakite’s hauntingly beautiful sound. While there is definitely a strong pop dynamic, there are hints of an R’n’B element to her singing, and you can hear sometimes hear the occasional trace of her jazz background. She even mixes in the a few tribal sounding chants with that sweet, sweet Norwegian accent that we can’t get enough of – all part of what makes Highasakite’s music so truly unique.
The set followed on with passionate performances of songs ‘Leaving No Traces’, ‘Hiroshima’ and ‘The Man on The Ferry’ and other songs from the new album Silent Treatment. Crowd favourites included hits ‘Darth Vader’ and of course the well known ‘Since Last Wednesday’.
An altogether astounding performance, one particular song stood out as a showstopper. The awe-inspiring ‘I, the Hand Grenade’ (also off the new album) had audience members transfixed. “Yes, the real terrorist is me, my love… I am a vital weapon, I’m a hand grenade. My ignorance a tool to justify,” Håvik sang expressively. The combination of the band’s chilling melodies teamed with Håvik’s powerful politically loaded lyrics completely consumed everyone in the room.
If you didn’t get the chance to catch Highasakite at one of their two shows this time around, fear not. Given that these shows were part of a Laneway Presents tour, we’re hoping these guys will be back early in the new year to play St Jerome’s Laneway Festival. The dates for the line up are set to be released October 2nd, so keep your eyes out for more information.
Check out the full gallery from the show here.
