Exclusive: Soft As Snow “Halo Heart (A Levitas of Old Apparatus Remix)”

21 Oct 2013 — Tonje Thilesen

Norwegians, you know, are simple people. We enjoy music that tends to sound awfully similar the 'band nextdoor', preferably drenched in pretty, shoegazing guitar noise, menially following the classic post-rock composition — or, then of course, the two girls who found a drum machine at a yard sale and decided that well, it'd sure as hell be a great idea to start a band together. Which by all means they should, don't get me wrong, but more than half of the time, its outcome proves to be exactly what you expected: a cheap version of another local up-and-coming duo with the same drum machine and sugary, Jenny Hval influenced vocals. Of course, the average Norwegian music journalist thinks it's absolutely brilliant. 

You may call me harsh (and I'm fine with that, I guess), but to break out of the Norwegian "cloning" structure in music only happens every so often; an essence so profoundly built into our minds in hope of creating the next national hype, likely to end up in a music export sensation. Even so, the artist has probably been around for years, hardly gaining any national press at all. In a refreshing contrast to this, London-based Norwegian duo Soft as Snow look towards Montreal in their darkened, minimal wave -influenced electro pop, which first came to our notice a few weeks ago with the brilliant single "Halo Heart". And guess what, they know exactly what's up these days. A Levitas aka Saa of Old Apparatus, one of 2013's very finest producer outfits, has given "Halo Heart" a well-deserved touch, wrapping Oda Egjar Starheim's vocals into his low-tech, aerial soundscape. Have a first listen below. 

Also, Soft as Snow might be coming to your city very soon. 

09/10/13 London, Power Lunches
19/10/13 Oslo, Etch Wear Festival
23/10/13 Madrid, Calvario Bar
25/10/13 Barcelona, Brucstock Festival
29/10/13 Berlin, Showcase hosted by Nordic By Nature