Boasting members of Serena Maneesh, Harry’s Gym and Danielson, revolving around frontman and songwriter Frode Stromstad – with the albums supporting cast including Sufjan Stephens and Gary Olsen of Lady Bug Transistor – I Was A King are a misty eyed pop-gaze of West Coast harmonies and ringing Rickenbacker.
Ahead of new single Norman Bleik out on 16th November and a first full album release in the New Year; they tour the UK in November.
UK TOUR DATES:
19TH NOVEMBER, LONDON Lexington
20TH NOVEMBER, CARDIFF Tommy’s Bar
21st NOVEMBER, LONDON Amersham Arms with Munch Munch
22nd NOVEMBER, LIVERPOOL Masque
23RD NOVEMBER, LONDON Social
24TH NOVEMBER, BRIGHTON Jam
25th NOVEMBER, LONDON Bush Hall with Antlers
26TH NOVEMBER, OXFORD O2 Academy with Swervedriver
Norman Bleik is three minutes of pop perfection,and it doesn’t take a genius to work out that the song is also a tribute to Teenage Fanclub’s Norman Blake. The punned misspelling of his name a reference to the Fanclub’s 1995 classic ‘Neil Jung’.
‘Norman Bleik’ is taken from the band’s self-titled album, which finally gets a UK release on February 1, 2010. It’s a star-studded affair, with I Was A King mainman Frode Strømstad joined by the likes of Sufjan Stevens, Daniel Smith (Danielson), Gary Olson (Ladybug Transistor) and Emil Nikolaisen (Serena Maneesh).