Thomas Dybdahl
When the 19-year-old Norwegian Thomas Dybdahl released his two first EPs “Bird” & “John Wayne” in 2000-2001 he appeared as nothing but a small blip on the musical radar in Norway. Interest was peaked somewhat by the single Love’s Lost, but it wasn’t until his debut album “…that great October sound” in 2002 that he got peoples attention for real. With a dogmatic one-microphone-only approach, a soulful tenor voice, an intimate acoustic sound and good songs he soon found his way onto the airwaves in Norway. What followed was a slew of great reviews, awards and eventually a growing fan base all over the world.
When his follow up “Stray Dogs” was released in 2003, fellow Norwegians started referring to him as one their most prized artist and singers. They have continued to do so even know 16 years after his debut and about to release his 8th solo album.
In addition to being a solo artist he has made a career composing for film and theatre. For his first score he received the Norwegian “Amanda” award, the highest honour for a film composer.
He has also worked as a producer, songwriter and as a front man in the band The National Bank, as well as guesting with other acts ranging from Morcheeba to French singer Melanie Pain all the way to folk icon Judy Collins.
Having the status as a musician’s musician, he was quickly discovered by other artist like Elvis Costello, Jamie Cullum and taste makers like LA’s indie radio station KCRW and
one of his early fans was Grammy award winning music producer Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Tracy Chapman). The two worked together on Thomas’ 2013 album “What’s Left Is Forever”, which was nominated for a Grammy the following year and the two have now embarked on yet another collaboration.
All These Things
Thomas Dybdahl’s latest album “All These Things” was written and recorded in LA, June 2017.
“Larry and I had talked for a while about making an album again in a proper old school way. The best session musicians, the best live room, good songs and a super tight schedule so we would be pressed for time and have to trust our instincts without being able to redo too much. This album was therefore recorded in Sunset Sound in the course of 3 very busy days/nights and was a reaction to my previous album in many ways. My previous album was more focused on the production itself and on the sonic aspect. This one was all about raw energy and being able to capture the spirit of what was happening between the musicians. I’m very proud of the record and can’t wait to show it to the world!”
The album features a stellar cast of musicians with a discography long enough to fill an encyclopaedia, as Larry brought in the absolute best to fit theses 9 new songs. James Gadson (drums), Dean Parks (guitars), Patrick Warren (keys), Dan Lutz (bass), Brian MacLeod (drums) and David Baerwald (guitar) comprise the main band on the record.
Not everyone has the privilege of going into the studio with legends like these and call it going to work. I had to pinch myself every now and then and tell myself to be in the moment and to enjoy”.
In addition to the main band, Thomas is also joined by one of the brightest new stars on the Americana/folk scene, Lera Lynn, for the duet “When I Go”.
“Ever since her enigmatic and super moody performances in the dive bar scenes in True Detective I have been a fan. Working with her was a treat, what a singer and songwriter she is!”
