If you’re not sure what to expect from Norwegian singer-songwriter Stian Fjelldal, ‘Birds Are Better’, imagine a crossover between Simon & Garfunkel and A-HA. It’s a unique combination that somehow works seamlessly, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh with a wonderful presence.
Debut Album Release
Fans of “Birds Are Better” won’t have to wait much longer for a full-length album. The debut album released on May 19th, promising even more innovative and boundary-pushing music.
In a world where music can often feel formulaic and predictable, “Birds Are Better” is a breath of fresh air. With their unique fusion of genres and powerful storytelling, they are a band to watch in the folk music scene. Don’t miss out on “Seven In The Morning”, listen to this wonderful debut album.
These are Stian’s own words about the process and the thoughts behind the album:
In January 2022, I released my fifth studio album, “Hus”. It felt okay, but not particularly great, despite all the work I had put into it. I was taken aback by my own lack of enthusiasm at the time, but I wasn’t particularly surprised either.
Three years had passed since I started a side project, which began with a writer’s block. I had become tired of myself and felt trapped in my own image. A question sneaked up on me. Did I actually like my own music? Or more specifically: would I listen to it if it were made by someone else? The answer surprised me. No, probably not.
It may seem like a brutal and somewhat depressing realization for a musician who has created a nice little career on what is described as quirky Southern Norwegian folk-pop. Starting with the radio hit “Håbløs” in 2010, a record deal with Warner Music, and releasing great songs such as “Sammen i Mørket”, “Æ vil heim”, “I verdens rigeste land”, “Bare min”, “Festen” and “Ville hesta”.
But instead I felt relieved. I was finally honest with myself. Not bad for a Norwegian Southerner who, in line with the stereotype, might have a slightly annoying tendency to sweep difficult issues under the rug.
The big liberation came with the question I was now ready to ask myself: What kind of music do you want to make? I love bands and artists like Fleet Foxes, The Flaming Lips, Crowded House, Susanne Sundfør and Super Furry Animals, to name a few. Do I have anything in common with such company? I have no idea, but what is stopping me from trying?
So I got down to it. I started making songs in English and found that I had a different voice, one that I identified more with because I drew inspiration from the heart, not from my own idea of what kind of artist I was.
Three years have passed since a writer’s block was lifted by a realization. Since then, things have escalated. On May 19th, the debut album “The Island – Part One” will be released. The first part of a double album. Composed and recorded at home in Oslo and further produced, mixed and mastered by my good friend, the great maestro Håkon Gebhardt.
Does this mean the end for Stian Fjelldal? By no means. I will still make and release songs in Norwegian. But with Birds Are Better, I have rediscovered my love for music. So it’s more than just a fling.
Social Links & Website:
www.facebook.com/birdsarebetter
www.instagram.com/birdsarebettermusic
