Birmingham show promotes new Bernhoft & the Fashion bruises album
Scandinavian songwriting will be showcased at Birmingham's O2 Institute this winter.
Grammy Award-nominated Norwegian singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Jarle Bernhoft is releasing his new album Humanoid on August 24, and is heading out on a world tour to promote it.
Recorded at Oslo Klang, Norway, this is Bernhoft’s fourth full-length and his first in new incarnation Bernhoft & the Fashion Bruises. Jarle could be found behind the producer’s desk as well as in the recording booth this time around.
The album, Bernhoft says, is an attempt to reconnect with humanity in a world marred by overuse of technology, both lyrically and instrumentally. he added: “So much current music is computerised and machinelike. I felt like I should go the other way and create human music again. It’s imperative to keep in touch with organic life, so I dove into those soundscapes. I rediscovered that touch. I’m trying to smash people out of Facebook and back into real life.”
Recorded as a full band, the record unlocks a soulful spirit buoyed by simmering RnB grooves and powerful pop hooks.
“It says something about the man-and-machine relationship,” he continues. “I’m not sure whether to be optimistic about it or not. You’ll see people at dinner or in a café staring at their screens and not acknowledging each other.
"I’m thinking of how we interact, talk to each other, and whether or not we’re enhancing our lives or amputating them with these interfaces we use. I’m trying to find people, but I can’t see them behind their screens.”
As well as being nominated for a Grammy for Best RnB Album, Bernhoft has appeared on US TV shows such as Ellen and Conan as well as receiving praise from The Guardian and Rolling Stone.
Bernhoft & the Fashion Bruises play at Birmingham's O2 Institute on November 13 - one of only three UK dates on their world tour. For tickets, priced at £15.50, click here.
