Katzenjammer

Katzenjammer was formed in Oslo, Norway, in 2005. The band comprised four multi-instrumentalists: Anne Marit Bergheim, Solveig Heilo, Turid Jørgensen, and Marianne Sveen. Their formation stemmed from a shared experience at a private music school in Oslo, where they felt a collective identity as ‘outcasts’ due to the school’s emphasis on established methods over originality. This common ground led them to create a unique sound. The band adopted their name from the ‘Katzenjammer Kids’ comic strip, identifying with its characters and the German loanword ‘Katzenjammer’, which describes cacophonous music in Norway. Their approach involved intricate musical arrangements, with the members collectively mastering an array of fifteen instruments, contributing to their distinctive sound which blended rock, country, Balkan, and dark cabaret genres.

Katzenjammer gained early recognition in 2008, finishing third in NRK’s ‘Urørt’ competition for unsigned artists with their song “A Bar in Amsterdam.” This exposure was further amplified by their performance at the by:Larm Scandinavian music convention in Oslo. Their debut album, “Le Pop,” released in September 2008, showcased their diverse musical range. Critical reception was positive, describing the album as “engrossing and appealing.” “Le Pop” reached number nine on the Norwegian albums chart and number seventy-one in the Netherlands, earning a Spellemannprisen nomination for Best Debut Album of the Year.

Their second album, “A Kiss Before You Go,” launched in September 2011, took thematic inspiration from the French film “The City of Lost Children.” This album achieved commercial success, debuting at number seven on the German albums chart and later being certified gold. In Norway, it peaked at number six. Critics praised the album, calling it “utterly delightful” and “close to brilliance.” The lead single, “I Will Dance (When I Walk Away),” reached number thirty-two on the German singles chart. In May 2012, they released “A Kiss Before You Go: Live in Hamburg,” a live album and DVD recorded during their 2011 tour. The band’s third album, “Rockland,” was released in January 2015. However, following Marianne Sveen’s departure in early 2016, Katzenjammer announced an indefinite hiatus.