UiA professor Jan Bang nominated for the Spellemann music award
The music was first performed on a newly built bridge in England. Now Jan Bang may get an award for his unique sound installation.
This article is more than two years old, and may contain outdated information.
‘Being nominated for this work means a lot to me. The global electronic music community is large, and Norway has earned renown over the last 20 years,’ says Jan Bang, professor of popular music at the University of Agder (UiA).
Jan Bang and Arve Henriksen were contacted when the city of Hull, England, wanted a large-scale sound installation on Humber Bridge. Guitarist Eivind Aarset was also involved in the project at a later stage.
‘This nomination is a great recognition,’ says Bang.
The project he is nominated for is called Height of the Reeds. Visitors walk along the suspension bridge stretching 2,200 meters listening to the music played through headphones.
The sound installation was a major investment for the city of Hull in 2017 when Hull was UK City of Culture. Equipment for fifty thousand pounds was installed to enable audiences to enjoy the sound composition while crossing the bridge.
Central to the installation are recordings of the bridge’s own sounds. More than 15,000 people have experienced the 40 minutes long walk listening to the music. You can read more about the project here.
Mathias Humlen, whose artist name is FAKETHIAS, is nominated for the Spellemann music award in the electronica category.
Electronic music is popular
Electronic music is popular, and Bang’s former students on the electronic music programme keep being nominated for the Norwegian Spellemann music awards.
‘Stian Balducci won a Spellemann music award last year in the electronica category. It is a great achievement that such a young student from the electronic music education at UiA Popular Music won ahead of other strong candidates,’ Bang says.
Mathias Humlen completed his electronic music bachelor at UiA last year. This year he is nominated for a Spellemann music award. He too is one of Bang’s former students. Bang believes Humlen has great chances of winning.
‘It means a lot to the community that UiA keeps getting nominated for the greatest music award in Norway,’ says Bang.
The UiA education formed a good basis
Humlen thinks his education from UiA has helped him start a music career.
‘To me, what was best at UiA is that we got the opportunity to work on things crucial to our own development. To be nominated for a Spellemann music award is a nice recognition, and it is nice that it is for music that is so non-commercial,’ Humlen says.
Two other UiA alumni have been nominated for Spellemann music awards this year. Anders Maristuen, who plays with the band ROTLAUS, has been nominated in two categories: album of the year and breakthrough of the year. Nicolay Tangen Svennæs, who plays keyboard in Emilie Nicolas’ band, is nominated in two categories: pop artist and album of the year.
A recognition of our qualities
Professor Erik Gunvaldsen is Head of Department of Popular Music. He rejoices every time academic staff and current and former students receive recognition and stand out.
Geir Holmsen is nominated for Spellemann for the album "Et Stille Sted". Photo: Jo Michael.
‘Every year musicians who study at or have studied at the Department of Popular Music get nominated, and that is a great joy every time. It is a recognition for us,’ says Gunvaldsen.
Holmsen also a nominee
In addition to Jan Bang, professor Geir Holmsen at Department of Popular Music is also one of the nominees.
‘It is always fun to be nominated for a Spellemann music award. This time it was especially exciting since it is the first time Maj Britt Andersen and I have made an album in cooperation with author Lars Saabye Christensen,’ Holmsen says.
The album Et stedis nominated in two different categories: Tono’s composer award and songwriter of the year.
‘Cellist Truls Mørk, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and other musicians also contributed to our nomination,’ Holmsen says.