Gjerde is performing Thursday the 27th at Tou Scene. For those who are unfamiliar with Café Humbug can you describe its philosophy and why you exist? Well, how do I put it, naivety? Idealism? It's hard to put it in a nutshell, but I guess I'd like it to be a sort of playground for musicians and artists to expose whatever they are up to. A hub for underground culture if you like. We encourage all kinds of expressions - and the essential thing is this: "quality" is not that important to us. Other venues can take care of that, the popular culture, the evergreens, what have you. We want diversity, people who care about what they do and apply themselves to it. It's not about "art" - it's about activity, collaboration, making things happen…I guess the D.I.Y. thing is at the heart of this. So we'd like to define "quality" in our own terms! How did you start? Humbug started as a record label in 2001, and released close to 100 releases. A handful of vinyl, but mostly very limited CDRs and other handmade releases. Mostly catering to the Norwegian experimental music underground, from electronic, to noise and improv. The idea to start the Café came in 2010 when I found the space by chance. It's a just a 5 minute walk outside the city center, it's big enough to put on shows, host workshops, etc. And most importantly it's a chance to promote this music in a more "live" atmosphere; much more rewarding than social media. What is the daily routine running the cafe? Well Cafe Humbug is a combination of a few different business ideas: 1) café / coffee shop 2) record store 3) a small live venue. The café / record shop is open during weekends Friday to Sunday, while gigs can be scheduled anytime. We have a small PA system - plug & play. To be honest this has been the most rewarding and successful part of Cafe Humbug, supporting the local scene. The business aspect - not so much, but we´re working on it! We need your support! How long has Cafe Humbug been collaborating w Numusic? Since last summer. At that point we had already done a bunch of shows and my wife suggested why not propose to do something in the context of Numusic, so we did, and it worked out well. We invited acts from the local scene as well as some friends from Oslo, and called it "A week of Norwegian underground music" - it was a bit chaotic at times, but a lot of fun! What's the connection? I am a musician myself and have participated in the festival many times, so I guess it was natural to approach Numusic, and try and expand our horizons a bit. Obviously Numusic is well connected and is recognized as a cultural event, so it's wonderful that this kind of exchange is possible. I mean, Stavanger is a small city, but collaboration is not always a given. But I think a common thing is resistance to the commercial mass market, Numusic (and Nuart) has definitely struck a nerve in that sense. |
When people think about Cafe Humbug artists what are they likely/ or should they anticipate? There is not a common denominator I could talk about musically, There has been all kinds of artists. Acoustic singer/songwriters, eccentric crooners, performance artists, noise musicians, emo/screamo/punk, techno, left field electronica, free jazz and improv. We try to not act as a "filter" too much, anything goes, we are NOT agents, we are NOT managers, we are NOT just aiming to sell! This is the truth! Hopefully people should anticipate a challenge, maybe have their patience tested, maybe entertainment, maybe indifference, maybe shock, maybe awe. Who knows. Can you say a few words about each artist you’re bringing to Numusic and why you chose them? Cinema of Spirits:is the solo "splatter folk" artist Stein Henning Berg a.k.a. Seth Horatio Buncombe. He plays a mean banjo. Used to be half of the Thinguma*Jigsaw duo that I tried to get to play in Stavanger a couple of times, but it never happened. By the Waterhole:Evas Pfitzenmaier from Bergen. Played Cafe Humbug this spring. It was awesome, a very powerful vocal presence combined with a playful use of modified electronics and loops. Not too many people caught her last time, so I figured it would be a natural thing to invite her to Numusic. Lasse Passage:Another Norwegian artist I've been in touch with since way back. He seemed to have a nomadic lifestyle and always remained a bit elusive until recent years, and the release of his lovely singer-songwriter based music. He's just "different" enough to keep me interested, and a listen to his upcoming album (released just around the time of this years Numusic) confirmed that impression. Vanilla Riot:Another great/project band from Stephan Meidell, currently the most interesting guitarist / improviser here on the west coast, in my opinion. Vanilla Riot's music revolves around the use of live visuals "creating numerous situations of synaesthetic experience" according to their website. Whatever it means, I'm sure it must be good.
Café Humbug’s night is Thursday the 27th in Scene 2 under Numusic. You can visit Café Humbug at Rosenkrantz gt. 52, 4010 Stavanger, Norway. Or if you are not located in the Stavanger area visit them on Facebook. |
Numusic News
19 APRIL, TOU SCENE MASKINHALLEN. KL2200-0330
SKATEBÅRD LIVE
Etter tre utsolgte Fuck Art, Let's Dance er Numusic og Nuart klar for nok et utsolgt show!
Erik Sæter Jørgensen's work graces this years profile. Stavanger as we rarely see it.
One of Numusic's favourites Ólafur Arnalds released a new album this monday.
Another great FALD-event was going down in the new concerthouse of Stavanger last weekend.
Thanks for a great night at Tou Scene the 29th of December! Here's some highlights.
The second follow-up since Fuck Art, Let's Dance first started. Join this third legendary party!
Numusic and Nuart join forces for a pre-apocalypse party on Dec 29th at Tou Scene
One of this years local acts at Numusic, Beatpop, release their brand new EP today!
Here are photos from the closing event for Stavanger Konserthus' opening week activities
The Quietus' Angus Finlayson takes us through a detailed tour of Stavanger, Numusic and the local cultural politics.
Here is the full interview of the Nite Sprite feature from our festival paper.
Join us for a night of blissed out disco and the launch of the numusic program on Saturday 22nd Sept at Stavanger Konserthus spectacular Mezzanine sky bar. kl2200-0130. FREE ENTRY !!!
Norwegian artist Hanne Kolstø releases her second solo album Flash Black.
Kim Gordon from Sonic Youth and Body/Head will be guesting a Q&A at byLarm 2013
Check out three great acts at Numusic performing Saturday 29th of September
Start your weekend with an acoustic version of Within You by Gus Gus!
Lindstrøm has announced his second ablum for the year, Vineyard Hans - released 5th November.
Norway’s disco princess makes solo debut performance at Numusic 2012
Friday 28th September, German duo Mouse on Mars will be performing at Numusic 2012.
We welcome Casiokids to Numusic yet again. Read this exclusive Numusic-interview with them
Numusic got together with Anders Gjerde, curator for the Stavanger avant-garde music scene Café Humbug to talk about the café and his involvement with this years Numusic.
Watch The Field Live performing "Over The Ice" at Pitchfork Music Festival 2012.
Good reviews for Taragana Pyjarama's recently released Tipped Bowls.
Check the second in a series of excellent Numusic promo's with motion graphics by Koala Klan, and images by Erik Sæter Jørgensen, music by Quad - Exploration
Numusic would like to introduce you to The Quietus, if you haven't already met.
Check out the excellent Numusic promo with motion graphics by Koala Klan, Music by Nite Sprite and images by Erik Sæter Jørgensen.
We're absolutely honoured to be able to announce that this years opening act with be Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds. Ólafur will be performing at Stavanger Domkirken 26th Sept.
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