MAGNUS BERG : 'Save Them Kids' | new single by Norwegian crossover blues-based act out 18.10.24 | CURRENTLY ON TOUR WITH GARY CLARK JR.
MAGNUS BERG
SAVE THEM KIDS
new single
out 18.10.24
(Plainsmen Records AS)
Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon Music | video
ON TOUR WITH GARY CLARK JR.
OCTOBER 2024
REMAINING DATES
19.10.24 BIRMINGHAM 02 Institute
21.10.24 UTRECHT (NL) TivoliVredenburg
22.10.24 GHENT (BE) Vooruit Concertzaal
23.10.24 LUXEMBOURG CITY (LU) den Atelier
Norwegian guitarist, songwriter and vocalist MAGNUS BERG began his musical journey at the age of ten. Initially influenced by his grandfather and uncle, both musicians, he was introduced to a diverse range of genres, including blues legends, rock 'n' roll icons, plus virtuosos such as Django Reinhardt and Robert Normann (his compatriot and a jazz guitar pioneer). From the very beginning, Berg decided to immerse himself in the world of guitars.
After several years of dedicated practice and learning the art of songwriting, Berg dropped out of high school and moved from the small town of Skiptvet in north-west Norway to Oslo in the south, where he began performing live. Still in his mid-teens, he met drummer Ola Øverby at a youth programme for talented musicians and their friendship evolved into sporadic recording projects, including the award-winning 2014 album ‘Cut Me Loose’, recorded when Berg was just 17.
Sharing a passion for ‘cool’ music of the '60s and '70s, the duo discovered a lot of common ground in their preferences and their collaboration deepened over time. Fuelled by a shared vision and inquisitive nature, they began delving deeper into music, asking each other questions: How should a beat be played? What should 'fuzz' sound like? Which microphones offer the best sound? Ultimately, they landed at a bigger question: What sort of musicians do we want to become together?
The answer can be found in ‘Electric Sugar’, their just completed debut album as MAGNUS BERG (note the deliberate use of caps). Recorded at Studio Paradiso in Oslo with the input of producer Christian Engfelt, who predominantly records live to analog tape, this breakout release is packed with inventive psychedelic sounds over a blues rock foundation. Berg himself pays homage to his roots - including his grandfather - throughout, with the song ‘Love Smile’ reviving a 1920s melody by Pietro Frosini that was famously adapted for a Tarantino movie soundtrack.
Following an extensive period of recording experiences, global touring and some contemplation, Berg emerges triumphant here. Born out of resilience against bad deals and external pressures, ‘Electric Sugar’ marks his return with a collection of compelling songs, licks and riffs. The album will be released in early 2025, with the song ‘Save Them Kids’ issued as its first single today (18th October).
“Myself, Ola and Martin Morland [bass] had fun in the studio, utilising its vintage gear to make something we're very excited about,” says Berg of 'Save Them Kids’. “I made a shabby initial demo with just chords and a dark vibe, to which my friend and fellow songwriter Aleksander Nilsen added lyrics. I played a rough vocal demo to Ola and Martin, who quickly learned it and we then did a couple of takes for fun. We recorded one of the guitars - the solo on the finished song is the original from the live take - drums, bass and some of the vocals live on tape and then got keyboard player Edvard Synnes to add some great synth and Hammond parts.”
The band are currently on a short UK and European tour supporting soulful blues rock musician Gary Clark Jr., which kicked off with a well received sold-out London Forum show on 15th October and has continued with dates in Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham (19th) before heading to the Benelux. “We see it as a great honour to get to open for such an amazing artist as Gary Clark Jr.,” states Berg. “He's got a kickass band and it has been great to hear them live again.”
