Ex Norwegian

About

Miami-made pop, psych, and rock. Since 2008.

Ex Norwegian began in Miami Beach in 2008, turning a shared love of sharp hooks, psychedelic detours, glam strut, and left-field records into a catalog with no interest in staying put. The name nods to Monty Python; the music moves between power pop, indie rock, psych, and whatever else the song demands.

Led by songwriter and producer Roger Houdaille, Ex Norwegian has always been less a fixed lineup than a creative home for collaborators. If you are new to the band, this site is the map: start with the essential records, follow the people who shaped them, then dig into the live history, deep cuts, reissues, and compilations.

The Band, in Pictures

The story, record by record.

2009 The Original Years

2012 Picking Up

2018 Return to Form

2021 Reissues & Rediscovery

2008 — 2011

The Original Years

Ex Norwegian arrived in 2008 and soon traveled to New York for CMJ, carrying the debut single "Something Unreal" and the songs that became Standby. Dan Goldin of Exploding in Sound heard "an incredibly eclectic mix of powerpop, shoegaze, indie rock, and even hints of stoner rock" — an early description that still fits.

The original power trio's run continued with Sketch — leaner, brighter, and full of nerves. By the end of 2011, the band had paused, but the project was not finished.

Ex Norwegian, the original lineup — The original lineup

“An incredibly eclectic mix of powerpop, shoegaze, indie rock, and even hints of stoner rock.” — Exploding in Sound

Ex Norwegian, 2012 — The reassembled band, 2012

2012 — 2013

Picking Up Where We Started

By the start of 2012, Roger had reassembled the band with a renewed creative drive. 2012's House Music arrived as a glam-rock side-step disguised as a concept record — hinting that the band's second act would not look like the first.

Their partnership with South Florida's Limited Fanfare Records began with 2013's Crack — power-pop with the cracks showing through. The band had its second wind, and a label that believed in it.

2014

The Wasted Lines Era

2014's Wasted Lines marked a turning point. Recorded in L.A. with co-producer Fernando Perdomo, the album featured a surprise collaboration with guest lead vocalist Lucia Perez — a bold move that challenged longtime fans while attracting new ones.

Hook-heavy psych-pop, slightly off-kilter — Wasted Lines remains one of the clearest entry points into the band's middle period. A 2025 remaster has since brought it back into focus.

Ex Norwegian, the Wasted Lines era — The Wasted Lines era

2015 — 2017

The Wilderness Years

The prolific streak that followed showcased the band's restless creativity. Pure Gold (2015) mixed inspired covers with originals — sun-bleached jangle for a fading summer. Glazer/Hazerr (2016) earned its title with a fuzzed-out, late-period experiment that pushed the band's sonic boundaries further than ever.

Then in 2017, Tekstet (Subtitled) arrived — all-Norwegian-language reinterpretations of the catalog (not really). Three records in three years, ranging across genres, never losing the band's voice. A trilogy in plain sight.

2018 — 2020

Return to Form

No Sleep (2018) marked a creative renaissance — the trio of Roger, Michelle, and Giuseppe crafting straightforward pop/rock songs with effective arrangements and Roger's trademark quirky lyrics. The album earned recognition as top album of 2018 on the UK's I Don't Hear A Single blog.

Their 2019 compilation Something Unreal: The Best Of celebrated a decade of making "music precious few have heard." 2020 saw them embrace the unexpected — releasing new music every Friday for most of the year. June brought a double dose of psychedelia with Hue Spotting and its sister album Spotting Hues: an inspired pop-psych trip while keeping the melodic sensibility intact.

From the catalog

Ex Norwegian, the recent years — Reissues and rediscovery, 2021+

2021 — Present

Reissues, Rediscovery, and What Comes Next

During the pandemic, Roger invited musical friends around the world to celebrate the overlooked Liverpool songwriter Jimmy Campbell. The result, Sing Jimmy Campbell (2021), turned isolation into a generous, community-made tribute.

Spook Du Jour (2022) and Sooo Extra (2023) were followed by a growing archival effort: expanded reissues, remasters, compilations, restored video, and deeper documentation of the people and performances behind the records. Sing Wistle Tunes (2024), a tribute to John Entwistle's solo work, and the 2026 single Don't Go Miles On Me show that the catalog is still capable of producing surprises.

Ex Norwegian is not currently operating as a full-time touring band, but the story remains open. The band's 20th anniversary arrives in 2028; nothing is announced, though the milestone may offer a reason to return to the stage.

Keep Listening

Start with a record. Follow the thread.

Browse the Discography Live Archive