Heroes & Zeros
Encyclopedia
Heroes & Zeros is a rock band
from Norway. The group is composed of Hans Jørgen Undelstvedt
, Simen Krogstie Lagesen, and Arne Kjelsrud Mathisen
. Its members grew up together in a small town on the southern coast of Norway called Lillesand
. After developing their sound together, they moved to Oslo
, where they currently live when not on tour.
Their music is a breed of their own, combining elements from a variety of styles to call their own. Heroes & Zeros got its name because it represents the highs and lows in life.
Hans Jørgen Undelstvedt, Lars Løberg Tofte and Arne Kjelsrud Mathisen climbed onto a stage together for the first time at Skuret in Oslo in 2005, after spending two years in a cramped rehearsing room deciding on which direction they wanted to go musically. A friend of the band once described the music and said: While the bass-player and drummer has both feet in American rock, the singer wants to sing in a British indie-band. When asked about important albums the trio mentions Radiohead, Sonic Youth, Flaming Lips, Motorpsycho and Indie-rock is heavily represented.
- Sebadoh and Pavement paved the way through lo-fi, and we have had long standing relationships with Pixies and Spiritualized, says singer Hans Jørgen.
The audience was quick to embrace the epic and melodic rock of Heroes & Zeros.
- On our first show 90 people showed up, on the next 180, we doubled our audience instantly, Arne says. After a couple of gigs the trio entered one of the local finals of Zoom, and won easily a spot on the coveted Zoom-tour which took them all over Norway.
- Ever since our very first gig we have focused on playing live as much as possible, it has snowballed from then on really, explains Lars
It snowballed quickly for Heroes & Zeros, who did not waste any time deciding what to do with their music.
- We recorded our first song "Cellophane" because we needed something to send off to by:Larm. That recording went on to win the "Urørt" final on the national radio station P3 and subsequent heavy rotation. In 2006 they released "Circles EP", and the success on P3 secured Heroes & Zeros a spot on National Broadcasting's annual P3 Sessions-tour that summer. Heroes & Zeros opened the event playing live for 5000 people at Youngstorget in Oslo. Once again Heroes & Zeros proved what they're good for, even though the singer Hans Jørgen admits a black out for most of the half hour they were up on stage.
- I can barely remember a few faces upfront who sang along, other than that it's all a blur to me, but it's a handy experience I guess now that we're lined up for this year's summer-festivals
This year's summer-festival-rounds is based upon "Strange Constellations",which is the result of three years of dedicated hard work and fine-tuning of the trio's talent for writing songs. In a time when media proclaims Armageddon for the music-industry and others claim that the album-format is smothered by downloading of singles and an increasing focus on hits, "Strange Constellations" is proof that you ought to spend more than three or four minutes on an artist.
- I believe that the audience will make a return to the album. People really need that hour or so of music, and not just one song by an artist.
Creating a cohesive and complete album was a constant ambition for Heroes & Zeros when they recorded the ten songs on "Strange Constellations".
- It's important to have a plan in the studio. We have recorded an album, not just ten random rock-songs.
In this respect Heroes & Zeros is in a unique position as a Norwegian rock-band who both produces radio-hits and full-fledged solid albums. The single tracks "Cellophane" and "Into the Light" are already modern Petre-classis so to speak, whereas their latest single "A Strange Constellation" showcases a new side of the band.
- "Strange Constellations" does not rest on just a couple of tracks, there's no fillers thrown in between a couple of singles. We're definitely an album-band; that our songs works on the radio is a pleasant bonus.
The lyrics contrasts the epic rock on "Strange Constellations", however, opposed to the music the lyrical unity was discovered more by chance, according to the writer Hans Jørgen.
- We considered naming the record "Always Wanting More Than Enough", which is a line from "Headlong Kicks". It orbits around voracity, turmoil and restlessness, which reflects the lyrics on the album as a whole; a voracious appetite towards people and experiences. When I discovered this I saw that it went as a red thread through all the lyrics.
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
from Norway. The group is composed of Hans Jørgen Undelstvedt
Hans Jørgen Undelstvedt
Hans Jørgen Undelstvedt is the lead singer of the Norwegian rock band Heroes & Zeros. He also plays guitars and samples. In addition, he writes the lyrics for his band.-See also:* Heroes & Zeros* Lars Løberg Tofte* Arne Kjelsrud Mathisen...
, Simen Krogstie Lagesen, and Arne Kjelsrud Mathisen
Arne Kjelsrud Mathisen
Arne Kjelsrud Mathisen plays the drums, percussion, and keys for the Norwegian rock band Heroes & Zeros. He also sings the backing vocals for the band.-See also:* Heroes & Zeros* Hans Jørgen Undelstvedt* Lars Løberg Tofte...
. Its members grew up together in a small town on the southern coast of Norway called Lillesand
Lillesand
is a town and municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. It is part of the traditional district of Sørlandet. The administrative center of the municipality is the town of Lillesand.-General information:...
. After developing their sound together, they moved to Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, where they currently live when not on tour.
Their music is a breed of their own, combining elements from a variety of styles to call their own. Heroes & Zeros got its name because it represents the highs and lows in life.
History
There is a myth in the rock-industry, which claims that the more hard work you put into it the more you deserve success. The number of gigs and miles in a rusty old van supposedly defines whether or not you deserve to be taken seriously. Heroes & Zeros deny this myth by throwing in the golden X-factor that many aspiring bands often are lacking. We are talking about something as simple as a talent for making classic rock-songs. In the course of their four-year existence Heroes & Zeros has shown that it need not take 15 years to break through as long as you underline amazing talent with hard work.Hans Jørgen Undelstvedt, Lars Løberg Tofte and Arne Kjelsrud Mathisen climbed onto a stage together for the first time at Skuret in Oslo in 2005, after spending two years in a cramped rehearsing room deciding on which direction they wanted to go musically. A friend of the band once described the music and said: While the bass-player and drummer has both feet in American rock, the singer wants to sing in a British indie-band. When asked about important albums the trio mentions Radiohead, Sonic Youth, Flaming Lips, Motorpsycho and Indie-rock is heavily represented.
- Sebadoh and Pavement paved the way through lo-fi, and we have had long standing relationships with Pixies and Spiritualized, says singer Hans Jørgen.
The audience was quick to embrace the epic and melodic rock of Heroes & Zeros.
- On our first show 90 people showed up, on the next 180, we doubled our audience instantly, Arne says. After a couple of gigs the trio entered one of the local finals of Zoom, and won easily a spot on the coveted Zoom-tour which took them all over Norway.
- Ever since our very first gig we have focused on playing live as much as possible, it has snowballed from then on really, explains Lars
It snowballed quickly for Heroes & Zeros, who did not waste any time deciding what to do with their music.
- We recorded our first song "Cellophane" because we needed something to send off to by:Larm. That recording went on to win the "Urørt" final on the national radio station P3 and subsequent heavy rotation. In 2006 they released "Circles EP", and the success on P3 secured Heroes & Zeros a spot on National Broadcasting's annual P3 Sessions-tour that summer. Heroes & Zeros opened the event playing live for 5000 people at Youngstorget in Oslo. Once again Heroes & Zeros proved what they're good for, even though the singer Hans Jørgen admits a black out for most of the half hour they were up on stage.
- I can barely remember a few faces upfront who sang along, other than that it's all a blur to me, but it's a handy experience I guess now that we're lined up for this year's summer-festivals
This year's summer-festival-rounds is based upon "Strange Constellations",which is the result of three years of dedicated hard work and fine-tuning of the trio's talent for writing songs. In a time when media proclaims Armageddon for the music-industry and others claim that the album-format is smothered by downloading of singles and an increasing focus on hits, "Strange Constellations" is proof that you ought to spend more than three or four minutes on an artist.
- I believe that the audience will make a return to the album. People really need that hour or so of music, and not just one song by an artist.
Creating a cohesive and complete album was a constant ambition for Heroes & Zeros when they recorded the ten songs on "Strange Constellations".
- It's important to have a plan in the studio. We have recorded an album, not just ten random rock-songs.
In this respect Heroes & Zeros is in a unique position as a Norwegian rock-band who both produces radio-hits and full-fledged solid albums. The single tracks "Cellophane" and "Into the Light" are already modern Petre-classis so to speak, whereas their latest single "A Strange Constellation" showcases a new side of the band.
- "Strange Constellations" does not rest on just a couple of tracks, there's no fillers thrown in between a couple of singles. We're definitely an album-band; that our songs works on the radio is a pleasant bonus.
The lyrics contrasts the epic rock on "Strange Constellations", however, opposed to the music the lyrical unity was discovered more by chance, according to the writer Hans Jørgen.
- We considered naming the record "Always Wanting More Than Enough", which is a line from "Headlong Kicks". It orbits around voracity, turmoil and restlessness, which reflects the lyrics on the album as a whole; a voracious appetite towards people and experiences. When I discovered this I saw that it went as a red thread through all the lyrics.
Band members
- Hans Jørgen UndelstvedtHans Jørgen UndelstvedtHans Jørgen Undelstvedt is the lead singer of the Norwegian rock band Heroes & Zeros. He also plays guitars and samples. In addition, he writes the lyrics for his band.-See also:* Heroes & Zeros* Lars Løberg Tofte* Arne Kjelsrud Mathisen...
– lead vocals, guitars, samples, and lyrics - Simen Krogstie Lagesen – bass, backing vocals, samples, keys
- Arne Kjelsrud MathisenArne Kjelsrud MathisenArne Kjelsrud Mathisen plays the drums, percussion, and keys for the Norwegian rock band Heroes & Zeros. He also sings the backing vocals for the band.-See also:* Heroes & Zeros* Hans Jørgen Undelstvedt* Lars Løberg Tofte...
– drums, backing vocals, percussion and keys
Trivia
- In January, 2008 Heroes & Zeros was nominated in the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammys, Spellemanns-prisen, in the categories Best Newcomer 2007 and for Best Video 2007 ("A Strange Constellation")
- Strange ConstellationsStrange ConstellationsStrange Constellations is the first studio album by the indie rock group Heroes & Zeros, released on April 23, 2007. All lyrics were written by Hans Jørgen Undelstvedt, all music by Hans Jørgen Undelstvedt, Lars Løberg Tofte, and Arne Kjelsrud Mathisen....
became the most selling rock debut in Norway in 2007. - Strange Constellations made it to #13 on the Norwegian top 40 charts.
- Their second album, Simian Vices Modern Devices, made it #15 on the Norwegian top 40 charts.
- Heroes & Zeros played support for The Smashing PumpkinsThe Smashing PumpkinsThe Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Formed by Billy Corgan frontman and James Iha , the band has included Jimmy Chamberlin , D'arcy Wretzky , and currently includes Jeff Schroeder Mike Byrne , and Nicole Fiorentino The Smashing...
on February 29, 2007, in Oslo SpektrumOslo SpektrumOslo Spektrum is an indoor multi-purpose arena in east central Oslo, Norway. It opened in December 1990. It is currently owned and operated by Norges Varemesse , who also own and operate the Norges Varemesse conference center in Lillestrøm which is Norway's largest conference center...
, the largest indoor stage in Norway. - Their song "Into The Light" is featured in the video game FIFA 08, on Xbox 360, PlayStations 2, 3, and Portable platforms.
- Strange Constellations was released in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on Redfield Records in February 2009 to critical acclaim.
- The band have plyaed about 200 live concerts in England, Germany, Austria, Israel, Estonia, Italy, USA and Norway.
- Arne Kjelsrud MathisenArne Kjelsrud MathisenArne Kjelsrud Mathisen plays the drums, percussion, and keys for the Norwegian rock band Heroes & Zeros. He also sings the backing vocals for the band.-See also:* Heroes & Zeros* Hans Jørgen Undelstvedt* Lars Løberg Tofte...
also plays in Pay-per-frog, a Norwegian electronica-alternative-jazz-ambient duo. - Lars Løberg TofteLars Løberg TofteLars Løberg Tofte plays the bass, samples, and keys of the Norwegian rock band Heroes & Zeros. He also sings the backing vocals for the band.-See also:* Heroes & Zeros* Hans Jørgen Undelstvedt* Arne Kjelsrud Mathisen...
also plays in Ofag with members from SuperfamilyTaxonomic rankIn biological classification, rank is the level in a taxonomic hierarchy. Examples of taxonomic ranks are species, genus, family, and class. Each rank subsumes under it a number of less general categories...
, Rockettothesky, Balkanensemblet and GlueciferGlueciferGluecifer was a hard rock band based in Oslo, Norway. Formed in 1994, they produced several underground releases during their first years of existence and soon claimed to be "kings of rock"....
Albums
- Simian Vices Modern Devices (March 2, 2009) - Nightliner/UniversalUniversal Music GroupUniversal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
- In The Slipstream Vol. 1 - Live (July 26, 2008) - Nightliner/UniversalUniversal Music GroupUniversal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
- Strange ConstellationsStrange ConstellationsStrange Constellations is the first studio album by the indie rock group Heroes & Zeros, released on April 23, 2007. All lyrics were written by Hans Jørgen Undelstvedt, all music by Hans Jørgen Undelstvedt, Lars Løberg Tofte, and Arne Kjelsrud Mathisen....
(April 23, 2007) - Nightliner/UniversalUniversal Music GroupUniversal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
EPs
- CirclesCircles (Heroes & Zeros album)Circles is an EP album by the indie rock group Heroes & Zeros, released on May 2006. All lyrics were written by Hans Jørgen Undelstvedt, all music by Hans Jørgen Undelstvedt, Lars Løberg Tofte, and Arne Kjelsrud Mathisen.-External links:* *...
(May 6, 2006) - Heroes & Zeros Music
Singles
- Cipramillion (Simian Vices Modern Devices) (May 2009) - Nightliner/Universal
- Simian Vices (Simian Vices Modern Devices) (January 2009) - Nightliner/Universal
- The Foolproof (Strange Constellations) (October 2007) - Nightliner/Universal
- Oslo Fadeout (Strange Constellations) (June 2007) - Nightliner/Universal
- A Strange Constellation (Strange Constellations) (April, 2007) - Nightliner/Universal
- Into the light (Strange Constellations) (February 2007) - Nightliner/Universal
- Cellophane (Strange Constellations) (2006) - Heroes & Zeros Music
- Circles (Circles EP) (June 2006) - Heroes & Zeros Music
- Cellophane – Live at Garage (September 13, 2005) - Heroes & Zeros Music
Major tours
- Zoom Urørt'06 (March 2006)
- P3 Sessions on tour (May/June 2006)
- Strange ConstellationsStrange ConstellationsStrange Constellations is the first studio album by the indie rock group Heroes & Zeros, released on April 23, 2007. All lyrics were written by Hans Jørgen Undelstvedt, all music by Hans Jørgen Undelstvedt, Lars Løberg Tofte, and Arne Kjelsrud Mathisen....
(2007–2008) - Strange German promo Tour (November 2008)
- Strange German Tour (March 2009)
- Man is Wolf to Tour - Norway (March 2009)
Reviews
External links
- Official Website
- Heroes & Zeros Fan Club
- Heroes & Zeros Blog on My Opera
- Heroes & Zeros at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Heroes & Zeros at Last.fmLast.fmLast.fm is a music website, founded in the United Kingdom in 2002. It has claimed 30 million active users in March 2009. On 30 May 2007, CBS Interactive acquired Last.fm for UK£140m ....