I Was a King treats Brooklyn to Norwegian-style indie rock

May 31, 2009, at Union Hall

By Eleanor Whitney
Published: June 3rd, 2009 | 4:55pm

The four members of I Was a King wasted no time setting up and tearing into an enthusiastic set for an audience filled with friends in the basement of Brooklyn’s Union Hall. The set featured many songs from the band’s new self-titled album and most of them clocked in at less than two minutes. While the set list appeared long, the band busted through it in barely 45 minutes.

Charismatic frontman Frode Strømstad anchored the evening with charming, Norwegian-accented banter between songs. After one track exploded into a rapid feedback jam, he admitted, “We are still working on the how to end the songs. Yeah, that one was good,” then looked around self-consciously and added, “I heard there was a comedy show here earlier.” The following song featured a blistering guitar solo that saw Strømstad striking some classic rock poses after which he sheepishly admitted, “Yeah, we are still working on the solos as well.”

The band, with alternatively crunchy and jangly guitars, showed a clear reverence for 1990s American indie rock. Indeed, they wore their influences on their sleeves. “This song is called ‘Norman Bleik,’” Strømstad announced, “but it has nothing to do with Teenage Fanclub (singer-songwriter Norman Blake).” However, the song burst from the speakers like the best that very band produced. It was a shimmering, satisfying rock tune perfectly fit for an American summer. The ’90s reverence continued on the next song when Strømstad asked, “Does anyone know a band called Guided by Voices?” The audience cheered in response. “They broke up, but they wrote two songs and gave them to us,” Strømstad said, then played a simple, brief song that was just vocals and guitar. “They wrote short songs.”

While I Was a King seems based around Strømstad’s songwriting and personality, guitarist and vocalist Anne Lise Frødal rounded out the band’s rock sound. In addition to her serious solos, many songs featured strong vocal harmonies between her and Strømstad that gave them a satisfying fullness.

I Was a King wrapped up its packed set by thanking its New York tour manager and explained, “This was the last night of our New York tour. We arrived yesterday.” One of the last songs, “California,” was a Nordic ode to the Golden State and lost love. Perhaps, with its soaring vocal harmonies and guitar interplay, it was an indication of where the band is heading and what they hope to find during their time on the American road.

For more photos from this show visit Venus Zine’ Flickr page

On the Record with I Was a King