Øya reveals first names on the bill

IDA MARIA (N)
OKKERVIL RIVER (US)
SIGH & EXPLODE (N)
SILJE NES (N)
DISKJOKKE (N)

For several months we’ve been out traveling and checking out international artists, as well as frequenting local venues back in Norway. We’ve seen more than 100 bands at festivals in e.g. Canada, the US, England, and Spain.
The Øya Festival booking crew is quite secretive, but we’re nevertheless releasing the first names now. Soon we will be ready to release even more tidbits and surprises from abroad for the Øya Festival 2008 bill. Next year we will of course continue our strong policy of promoting and drawing attention to new Norwegian music. In other words, don’t hesitate to join in on next summer’s greatest music fest.
The Øya Festival 2008 will last for five days. Tuesday Aug. 5 is the comprehensive Club Night, followed by four packed days in the Medieval Park, complemented with Nighttime Øya concerts at venues in the city centre after the park closes down. Yet again we wish to offer a comprehensive and varied bill that will please everyone that is interested in new, exciting, and great music.

IDA MARIA (N)
- Norwegian pop comet of the year with upcoming album debut
2007 has, to say the least, been a great and eventful year for Ida Maria. Among other things, she performed at Øya’s successful event during the CMJ festival in New York this fall. She took the New Yorkers by storm. We expect that 2008 will be an even more exciting year for Ida Maria and the boys in her band. Her debut album will soon be out, and she will undoubtedly appear on many stages, both at home and abroad, in the year to come. Ida Maria will perform on our biggest stage, and we’re certain that she’ll be more than happy to do so. Look forward to a frenetic show filled with catchy power pop mixed with rawness, dedication, and no-bull directness.
www.myspace.com/idamaria

OKKERVIL RIVER (US)
- has made one of this year’s strongest albums
In the eyes (or ears) of many, Okkervil River from the US has made one of this year’s strongest albums. The Stage Names, previously released on the great label Jagjaguwar, has made big media, picky indie critics, and not least fans of clever pop fall head over heels. Okkervil River was formed at the end of the 90s in Austin, Texas, after the members had emigrated from New Hampshire. Songwriter, singer, and guitarist Will Sheff has captained the team all along. Their debut album, Stars too Small to Use, came out in 1999, and the band’s fan base has grown slowly but steadily since then, until critics discovered The Stage Names earlier this fall. The album is a good place to start for anyone who isn’t familiar with Okkervil River. They play indie rock mixed with Americana, folk, and tender pop, to which you can add a broad selection of instruments, enticing melodies, and a sensitive storyteller with a big heart. This band could quite easily become a new favorite for those who’ve already embraced Bright Eyes, Magnolia Electric Co, or Rilo Kiley. In other words, at Øya in August you will have an opportunity to see a band that is most likely entering its golden age and that will be well worth staying tuned to.
www.okkervilriver.com
www.myspace.com/okkervilriver

SIGH & EXPLODE (N)
- new Norwegian hardcore faves
At the crest of new Norwegian hardcore you’ll find the young gentlemen in Sigh & Explode. They’re expected to pick up where JR Ewing left off a couple of years ago. The Band released an EP called O Bailan Todos O No Baila Nadie! on the great label Mas-Kina this fall, and on it you’ll find a selection of catchy and raw tunes that’ll stick like glue. In 2008 the boys will start working on their first album.
Sigh & Explode’s pop- and screamo-sprinkled rock has thus far impressed a lot of people in the Norwegian capital. Don’t miss out when this explosive charge detonates in the Medieval Park in August.
www.myspace.com/sighexplode
NRK Urørt

SILJE NES
- Norwegian newcomer, signed to cred label Fat Cat
You might not be familiar with Silje Nes yet, but we believe that will change in 2008. Her debut album will be out in January, on cred label Fat Cat (home to i.a. Animal Collective, Sigur Ros, and Vetiver), and expectations are high. A Norwegian act getting a record deal of this caliber abroad doesn’t happen too often.
Originally a classical piano player, Silje has managed to find a distinct sound and style. She currently resides in Berlin with her co-musicians, and later this winter she’ll be appearing live in i.a. the UK. In August she’ll play at the Øya Festival. Look forward to getting more closely acquainted with Silje’s tender and weird pop music on her debut album, which will be given the title Ames Room. We’re confident that this will be one of next year’s true debut surprises.
www.myspace.com/siljenes

DISKJOKKE – live
- debut album from Oslo’s new disco prince
You may have seen DiskJokke at Sunkissed during the Øya Festival. Now his debut album Staying in will be out on the highly respected label Smalltown Supersound. Many expect Joachim Dyrdahl, as his real name is, to follow in the footsteps of Lindstrøm and Prins Thomas with this album. It contains ten melodious and pop-ish tracks, as well as great cover art by Kim Hiorthøy. DiskJokke has previously released three tracks on Prins Thomas’ label, Full Pupp. In Germany, M.A.N.D.Y. and DJT have taken five other tracks and released them on Kindish. In addition to making his own stuff, DiskJokke has also remixed tracks for Bloc Party, Spektrum, and Lindstrøm.
From DiskJokke’s English bio one can learn that he makes ”a quirky, spaced-out, and dubby mixture of house, italo, and disco”. Others have described his music as futuristic disco, epic, and groovy. If this sounds like something you’d like to dance to, then you should definitely show up for his performance at the Øya Festival in August. Expect no less than a danceable sensation from DiskJokke and friends in the Medieval Park this summer.
www.myspace.com/diskjokke