Imagine if the Kinks, Badfinger, and Monty Python had a musical love child raised on the sunny shores of Miami Beach – that’s Ex Norwegian for you! This indie rock outfit has been surfing the airwaves since 2008, serving up a smorgasbord of sounds that blend classic songwriting with popsike, garage prog, and powerpop.
At the helm of this musical madhouse is Roger Houdaille, a songwriter extraordinaire who’s been cooking up catchy tunes faster than you can say “And now for something completely different.” (Yes, that’s a Monty Python reference – the band’s name comes from one of their sketches. Nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more!)
Ex Norwegian burst onto the scene at the 2008 CMJ Festival in NYC, leaving jaws dropped and ears perked with their debut single “Something Unreal” and album “Standby.” Dan Goldin of Exploding in Sound called the album “an incredibly eclectic mix of powerpop, shoegaze, indie rock, and even hints of stoner rock”. When the original power trio of Roger Houdaille, Nina Souto, and Arturo Garcia disbanded after the second album Sketch in 2011, they’ve been on a wild ride, with more lineup changes than a game of musical chairs and a discography that reads like a fantastic voyage through the annals of rock history. However, the original power trio of Roger Houdaille, Nina Souto, and Arturo Garcia disbanded after the second album Sketch in 2011. By year end, Roger had reassembled the band with original vocalist Michelle Grand and Brazilian guitarist Lucas Queiroz for House Music (2012) featuring guest drummer Eric Hernandez of Wrong. Giuseppe Rodriguez joined the band just in time for a brief US tour.
Ex Norwegian started their association with the South Florida record label Limited Fanfare (The Sh-Booms, Astronautalis & Rickolus) with Crack in 2013. However, tensions within the group led to a radical shift as evident on the ambitious Wasted Lines (2014), recorded in L.A. with co-producer Fernando Perdomo (Linda Perhacs, Ken Sharp). The album’s surprise collaboration between old friends and guest lead vocalist Lucia Perez marked a departure for loyal fans but attracted new listeners.
Pure Gold (2015) featured an inspired collection of obscure covers and a few originals. A tour and Daytrotter recording session followed, providing a glimpse into the sound and material for Glazer/Hazerr (2016), which UK’s Shindig Magazine describes as a “love letter to classic rock ‘n’ roll-based pop”. The band continued with a low-key release Tekstet (Subtitled) and a free 40-track covers BandCamp album, Original Copies, in 2017 leading up to No Sleep (2018).
The ninth album, No Sleep, sees the trio of Roger, Michelle, and Giuseppe crafting straightforward pop/rock songs with effective arrangements and quirky lyrics featuring strong melodies. It was earned top album of 2018 on the UK I Don’t Hear A Single blog.
Released on September 20th 2019 worldwide, this 25-track CD (15-track LP) collects some high points of Roger Houdaille’s 10 years making music with Ex Norwegian. For 2020, Ex Norwegian released new music every Friday for most of the year – on all digital music platforms. This includes plenty of covers, collaborations and preview of upcoming full-length releases.
On the 10th studio album, Hue Spotting, released on June 5th 2020 worldwide, Roger takes Ex Norwegian on a psychedelic trip. An inspired record of true pop-psych that keeps their melodic sensibilities while exploring new sounds and dimensions, often of a fuzzy variety. Available on digital, CD and Vinyl.
Also released on this day: its sister album, Spotting Hues.
After a non-LP single, “And I, Lover” and the unprecedented COVID-19 Pandemic, Roger invited musical friends from around the world to create the ultimate tribute to unsung Liverpool singer-songwriter Jimmy Campbell. The results released on April 2, 2021 to rave reviews and lots of support from indie community. Available on digital, CD and Vinyl.
As the world began to reopen, Roger reunites with Michelle and Giuseppe to play live across a few dates in 2021.
Their 13th album release, Spook Du Jour, came out in 2022 and is the last to feature Michelle Grand. This album delivers their signature sound while exploring new and exciting directions. One direction was Liverpool, where the band played its final show at the Cavern Club. I mean, what better way to go out, right?
But the story doesn’t end there…
Just when you thought they couldn’t get any more prolific, Ex Norwegian dropped Sooo Extra in 2023, proving that they’re still full of surprises after all these years. But wait, there’s more!
2024 sees the band diving back into their archives, reissuing the fan favorites Sketch and House Music – this time with the added bonus of first-time vinyl editions. (Vinyl collectors, start your engines!)
But that’s not all, folks! Ex Norwegian is also hosting the John Entwistle tribute album Sing Wistle Tunes, released under the banner of “Ex Norwegian & Friends.” It’s like they’ve invited all their musical pals over for a fantastic jam session in honor of The Who’s legendary bassist.
In a world of cookie-cutter pop, Ex Norwegian stands out like a psychedelic peacock at a penguin convention. They’re the band for music fans who like their tunes with a side of quirky, a dash of retro, and a whole lot of heart.
Whether you’re a long-time fan or a curious newcomer, Ex Norwegian’s music is guaranteed to take you on a journey – from the sunny streets of Miami to the far reaches of your imagination. So hop on board the Ex Norwegian express, and remember: in this band’s world, the only rule is that there are no rules!
