Bjørn Torske: Kok EP

We`re very happy to announce a new EP by Bjorn Torske! The Kok EP was recorded around the same time of his previous album Kokning. Through series of studio sessions of experimenting with different sounds; instruments, objects of different textures, whose sounds were played within different spaces of various acoustics. The results were then edited into basic rhythm tracks which then were overdubbed with new series of recordings in similar manner. The tracks from these sessions involves more organic/ acoustic sound basics and less programmed patterns than Torske's previous albums. This EP is also the last release in his small Kok triology (kok means to boil) which started with the beautiful and acclaimed Kokning album, followed by the 12” EP Oppkok (where Torske was remixed by DJ Harvey and Todd Terje) and it ends here with this 5 track EP (vinyl and digital). On this EP we find Torske in a more experimental mood where he his love for The Residents, Count Ossie, Moondog and This Heat is visible. The result is a darker and more psychedelic sound, still with the unmistakable Torske signature sound. Bjørn Torske Biography: Bjørn Torske comes from Tromsø, a small area north of the artic circle and the capital of Norway’s electronic music scene. This town has bred great artists such as Mental Overdrive, Biosphere, and Royksopp. Torske was put in touch with SSR/Crammed Discs in Belgium through Geir Jenssen, and in 1991 he appeared on two separate 12" singles on the label. From there, Dutch label Djax-Up-Beats picked up on the talented young Norwegian, and in the following years Torske released a string of underground 12" singles on Djax-Up-Beats, as well as Reinforced Records, run by Mark & Dego of 4Hero. The early 90’s found Torske in Bergen playing synthesizer in Biosphere’s live shows and touring with Geir Jenssen. After releasing an album on Djax-Up-Beats in 1995, Torske concentrated on DJing for a couple of years, releasing only one single on Per Martinsen’s Love OD label. His hiatus did have a noticeable impact, when “Fleet” became a club hit in Amsterdam and was pumped regularly by DJs Dimitri and Derrick May. Eventually Ferox’s Russ Gabriel was introduced to Torske’s music and an on-the-spot phone call led to the release of Nedi Myra in 1999. Back in Norway, Röyksopp’s Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland followed Torske’s lead and moved from Tromsø to Bergen. New acts, clubs, and labels were emerging, transforming the otherwise sleepy university town on Norway’s west coast to the hippest place to be. Meanwhile, Torske had begun releasing singles through prestigious house label SVEK and on Bergen’s own Tellé Records and released “Disco Members” (2000, Tellé Records) and “Aerosoles” (2000,SVEK). In the same period, Torske produced his next album, Trøbbel (Tellé Records, 2001), as well as remixing his studio-partner’s Røyksopp`s first hit single “Eple”. Torske also toured Europe with Royksopp in the spring of 2002, but soon after he went underground for a few years. When Prins Thomas was asked: “What is the most desirable artist to sign, if money grew on trees? ” by Fact Magazine, his answer was: “if I could lure him out of his cave for a second, I wouldn't mind getting some new stuff from Bjorn Torske”. Thankfully, Smalltown Supersound managed to lure him out of that cave to return with the critically acclaimed Feil Knapp album in 2007.