Christer Knutsen & Sacred Hearts
Stavanger, Rogaland, Norway | INDIE
Music
Press
Christer Knutsen in Would You Please Welcome delivers outstanding classic pop the way pop music ought to sound. Let us just hope that the rest of the pop world follows his example." (PANORAMA 6/6)
"Fantastic debut! (BACKSTAGE 6/6)
Irresistible melodies -and a unique voice that soothes and tears at the same time. (AFTENPOSTEN 5/6)
Christer Knutsen leaves traces with «Would You Please Welcome». Welcome indeed! (DAGSAVISEN 5/6)
Knutsen knows the art of writing a good and catchy melody without turning mooshy or saccharine. (ROGALANDS AVIS 5/6)
Belive the hype! (TV2 ABSOLUTT UNDERHOLDNING 5/6)
Outstanding songs in the best American songwriting tradition (VG 4/6) ......
- Various
Discography
Albums
Would You Please Welcome (2005)
Grand Hotel (2006)
Now Breathe (2009 Scandinavia, Q1 2011 Europe)
Singles:
The Way It Will Always Be (7" vinyl 2008)
Looking This Good (digital single 2009)
Compilations:
Various Artists - In Glorious Mono (Chris Bell Tribute) (2006)
I Am The Cosmos by Chris Bell
Various Artists - Songs Of Norway (2005)
No Love #1&2
Various Artists - Shockadelica (Prince Tribute) (2008)
I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man by Prince
Various Artists - Cowboy & Indianer Sessions (2007)
Forget This Dance - live at NRK
Various Artists - Cowboys In Scandinavia (2005)
Watching You Steal My Pain
Contributes on:
Thomas Dybdahl - En Samling (2009)
Skambankt - Hardt Regn (2009)
Kaada - O Horten (2008)
Skambankt - Eliksir (2007)
Washington - Astral Sky (2007)
Geir Zahl - Nice For A Change (2007)
Odd Nordstoga - Heim Te Mor (2006)
Johnny Hide - Linger Songs (2005)
Various Artists - We Walk The Line (2004)
Tumbleweed - Once More, With Feeling (2003)
Thomas Dybdahl - That Great Octover Sound (2002)
Tumbleweed - Another Kind Of Happines (2000)
Photos
Bio
Christer spent parts of 2010 touring Europe with Sivert Høyem (Madrigada), doubling as a member of Sivert´s band and as support act
Christer Knutsen has for years been active on the Norwegian music scene. As pianist in the band Tumbleweed (nominated for the Norwegian Grammys 2003) and as guest a long list of other Norwegian bands and artists releases. Among them Thomas Dydahls "..that great October sound". In 2010 Christer Knutsen has spent a lot of the time supporting, and playing with, Sivert Høyem (Madrugada) in Europe and Scandinavia.
Christer Knutsen will be recording a new album in the spring / summer of 2011
Christer was discovered by FRODE Records A&R man, Frode Da Costa Lia, at a concert at the Øya festival 2004. Shortly after, recording deal in hand, Knutsen and the band Sacred Hearts went in the studio to record the debut album Would You Please Welcome. It was released January 2005 to the delight of critics and audiences alike.
The first single, No Love #1&2, received heavy rotation on most of the major Norwegian radio stations and was among the top 5 most played music videos on Norwegian music television.
The tour following the release was played in front of packed venues in the biggest cities of Norway.
March 2006 saw the release of the second album entitled "Grand Hotel". As the debut, it received excellent reviews in most Norwegian press and was also noticed in some European press.
Constant touring during the spring and a tight schedule at the summer festivals resulted in a dedicated following and in excellent reviews.
Knutsens musical roots are deeply planted in the American song-writing tradition and the music press was quick to place it in the Americana/Alterntaive Country category. Christer Knutsen though, has constantly referred to his music as pure pop music, more in the lines of Big Star than Hank Williams.
On his latest album "Now Breathe" these power pop influences are shining through even clearer than before, bringing Christer Knutsen and his Sacred Hearts out to a new audience
Sacred Hearts is the band that, live as well as on record, contributes to lift Christer Knutens music to yet another level. The band consists of Pål Hausken on drums, Magne Vestrum on bass and Lars Lundeval and Rune Helland on guitar. Magne Vestrum - bass. Lars Lundvall - guitar
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