Kate Havnevik was born in norway to classically trained musicians, Kate began her musical exploration training to be a classical jazz guitar player.Then at the age of 14 she changed her mind, took a u-turn and joined an all female punk band, rehearsing and playing at Oslo's (illegally occupied)punk HQ, Blitz.Kate's unique voice which expores both the very depths and the highs of her vocal range, is as much her trademark as her own music, which is melodic and cool, somethimes dramatic, but always intelligently executed.She spices her unusual and exciting arrangements with a touch of electronic programming mixed with conventionally recorded traditional instruments to create the sound-scaoe that she likes to dress her songs and voice in.Recently she has been enjoying a considerable notice for her work on both sides of the Atlantic, not least because of her recent collaboration with Royksopp, Carmen Rizzo and Noel Hogan of the cranberries, but also have her songs noe been widley noticed amongst music supervisors in the states in recent months. That is partly thanks to LAs premier radio station KCRW's enthusiasm for her work and constant airplay, courtesy of USA's leading taste-maker Nic Haircourt.The album description...
Melankton has been the title of Kate's debut album sinc3 the birth of the album's idea. Melankton means Black Rose. Something that describes Kate's idea of the album'sd sound-scape and production perfectly. In other words Dark Yet Beautiful.
Having set her own guide lines for the albums production she recorded strings as the basis of the music and then spiced it up with the odd brass parts and electronic programming. The 12 songs o the album range from symbolic pop extravaganza to the most intimate of melodies.
As well as writing all the songs and scoring the majority of the string and brass arrangements herself she sought the creativity of UK producer/writer Harry Peat, violinist and string arranger Maria Huld Markan who is Sigur Ros main musical collaborator with her string quatet Amiina. Some of the beat decorations are created by fellow Norwegian Petter Haavik from the ekectronica duo Ost And Kjex. British electronica madman John Callaghan and production wizard Valgier Sigurqsson from iceland. Norwegian trumpet player Arve Henriksen appears on some tracks. mixing was in the hands of grammy nominated american producer and mixer Carmen Rizzo and london baed producer / mixer Sean McGhee. Kate's main musical collaboratoe for the past few years, Guy Sigsworth arranged and co-wrote four of the tracks on Melankton.
A truly beautiful body of work Melankton is heady, intoxicating and evocative with its mix of twistful lyrics, mellifluous orchestration and cinematic electronica. All the songs are set around kate's unique voice which envelop the drama and tensions of the music and lyrics with its extaordinary range.Kate Havnevik