Susanna and the Magical Orchestra
Encyclopedia
Susanna and the Magical Orchestra is the moniker of singer Susanna Karolina Wallumrød (born 1979), and keyboard player Morten Qvenild (born 1978). Their style of music can be described as quiet, slow pop
mixed with elements from electronica
and jazz
. Susanna has a very distinct, clear and cool voice that stands much on its own, only accompanied by Morten on various keyboard instruments such as acoustic piano
, synthesizer
s and even harpsichord
and church organ
. The duo is mostly known for their highly personal interpretations of well known songs such as Dolly Parton
's "Jolene
" and Leonard Cohen
's "Hallelujah".
Morten is also a member in many other bands, including The National Bank, Solveig Slettahjell's Slow Motion Orchestra and his own piano trio In the Country. He is a former member of the bands Jaga Jazzist
and Shining. Susanna is the sister of the drummer Fredrik Wallumrød and the pianist Christian Wallumrød, and the pianist David Wallumrød is her cousin. She also releases music under the name Susanna, and her full name Susanna Wallumrød.
The duo released their debut album, List of Lights and Buoys, on the label Rune Grammofon
in 2004, though work on the album began a couple of years earlier.
The album was produced by Jaga Jazzist
percussionist Andreas Mjøs, and Wallumrød's husband, prominent Norwegian producer and composer Helge Sten/Deathprod who has also produced albums for bands such as Motorpsycho
and Supersilent
.
Their second album Melody Mountain
was released September 2006, and contains slow, low-key cover versions of songs by various artists such as Leonard Cohen
, Prince
, Bob Dylan
, Joy Division
, AC/DC
and KISS
. Their 3rd album simply called "3" was released in August 2009 and contains two cover versions - of Roy Harper
's song "Another Day
" from the album Flat Baroque and Berserk
and Subdivisions by the Canadian group Rush
.
Susanna and the Magical Orchestra has toured across Europe since 2004, but also in Japan, China and the USA.
Susanna's song "Believer" from their first album and their cover version of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart
" featured in two 3rd season episodes of the American medical drama Grey's Anatomy
and on 3rd season of Skins
, on episode 6.
The German
rock band
Fury in the Slaughterhouse
uses Susanna's AC/DC-cover of "It's a Long Way to the Top If You Wanna Rock'n Roll" as intro
and the Joy-Division-cover "Love Will Tear Us Apart" as Outro on their "Farewell & Goodbye Tour 2008".
Susanna
Susanna Wallumrød
The band has also contributed on the following compilations:
A selection of other albums Susanna has contributed on:
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
mixed with elements from electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
and jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
. Susanna has a very distinct, clear and cool voice that stands much on its own, only accompanied by Morten on various keyboard instruments such as acoustic piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s and even harpsichord
Harpsichord
A harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard...
and church organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
. The duo is mostly known for their highly personal interpretations of well known songs such as Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
's "Jolene
Jolene (song)
"Jolene" is a song written and performed by Dolly Parton from her album Jolene , produced by Bob Ferguson. It is ranked #217 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of "the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".-History:...
" and Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Leonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
's "Hallelujah".
Morten is also a member in many other bands, including The National Bank, Solveig Slettahjell's Slow Motion Orchestra and his own piano trio In the Country. He is a former member of the bands Jaga Jazzist
Jaga Jazzist
Jaga Jazzist is an experimental jazz band from Norway that rose to prominence when the BBC named their first album, A Livingroom Hush , the best jazz album of 2002. The core of the band are brothers and main songwriters Lars and Martin Horntveth...
and Shining. Susanna is the sister of the drummer Fredrik Wallumrød and the pianist Christian Wallumrød, and the pianist David Wallumrød is her cousin. She also releases music under the name Susanna, and her full name Susanna Wallumrød.
The duo released their debut album, List of Lights and Buoys, on the label Rune Grammofon
Rune Grammofon
Rune Grammofon is a Norwegian record label founded in 1998 by Rune Kristoffersen. Rune Grammofon's reputation for lovingly issued experimental electronic music, jazz, and improvised music by Norwegian artists has grown over the years with its artists being featured heavily in magazines such as The...
in 2004, though work on the album began a couple of years earlier.
The album was produced by Jaga Jazzist
Jaga Jazzist
Jaga Jazzist is an experimental jazz band from Norway that rose to prominence when the BBC named their first album, A Livingroom Hush , the best jazz album of 2002. The core of the band are brothers and main songwriters Lars and Martin Horntveth...
percussionist Andreas Mjøs, and Wallumrød's husband, prominent Norwegian producer and composer Helge Sten/Deathprod who has also produced albums for bands such as Motorpsycho
Motorpsycho
Motorpsycho is a band from Trondheim, Norway. Their music can generally be defined as psychedelic rock, but they also mix in elements from metal, jazz, rock, pop and many other musical styles. The members of the band are Bent Sæther , Hans Magnus "Snah" Ryan and Kenneth Kapstad...
and Supersilent
Supersilent
Supersilent is a Norwegian avant-garde/improvisational music group formed in Bergen in 1997 and signed on Rune Grammofon. They are known for making only improvised music and for the distinctive uniformity of their album covers....
.
Their second album Melody Mountain
Melody Mountain
Melody Mountain is Norwegian group Susanna and the Magical Orchestra's second album, released in 2006. It is a collection of low-key cover versions from a variety of artists.-Track listing:...
was released September 2006, and contains slow, low-key cover versions of songs by various artists such as Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Leonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
, Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
, Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
, Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
, AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
and KISS
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
. Their 3rd album simply called "3" was released in August 2009 and contains two cover versions - of Roy Harper
Roy Harper
Roy Harper is an English folk / rock singer-songwriter and guitarist who has been a professional musician since the mid 1960s...
's song "Another Day
Another Day (Roy Harper song)
"Another Day" is a song by Roy Harper from his album Flat Baroque and Berserk.The track's bittersweet lyrics are written from the point of view of a man looking back with regret upon a missed chance. A chance that might have led him to a love he searches for. Eternally. He views his former...
" from the album Flat Baroque and Berserk
Flat Baroque and Berserk
Flat Baroque and Berserk is the fourth album by English folk / rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Roy Harper, and was first released in 1970 by Harvest Records.-History:...
and Subdivisions by the Canadian group Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
.
Susanna and the Magical Orchestra has toured across Europe since 2004, but also in Japan, China and the USA.
Susanna's song "Believer" from their first album and their cover version of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart
Love Will Tear Us Apart
"Love Will Tear Us Apart" is a song by the British post-punk band Joy Division. It was written in August and September 1979, and debuted when the band supported Buzzcocks on their UK tour in September and October 1979. It is one of the few songs in which singer Ian Curtis played guitar...
" featured in two 3rd season episodes of the American medical drama Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series created by Shonda Rhimes. The series premiered on March 27, 2005 on ABC; since then, seven seasons have aired. The series follows the lives of interns, residents and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital in...
and on 3rd season of Skins
Skins (TV series)
Skins is a BAFTA award-winning British teen drama that follows a group of teenagers in Bristol, South West England, through the two years of college. The controversial plot line explores issues such as dysfunctional families, mental illness , adolescent sexuality, substance abuse and death...
, on episode 6.
The German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
Fury in the Slaughterhouse
Fury in the Slaughterhouse
Fury in the Slaughterhouse was a German rock band founded in 1987 and broke up in 2008. Their hits include: "Time To Wonder", "Every Generation Got Its Own Disease", "Won't Forget These Days", "Radio Orchid", "Dancing in the Sunshine of the Dark", "Milk & Honey", and "Trapped Today, Trapped...
uses Susanna's AC/DC-cover of "It's a Long Way to the Top If You Wanna Rock'n Roll" as intro
Introduction (music)
In music, the introduction is a passage or section which opens a movement or a separate piece. In popular music this is often abbreviated as intro...
and the Joy-Division-cover "Love Will Tear Us Apart" as Outro on their "Farewell & Goodbye Tour 2008".
Discography
- JoleneJolene (song)"Jolene" is a song written and performed by Dolly Parton from her album Jolene , produced by Bob Ferguson. It is ranked #217 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of "the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".-History:...
(Rune Grammofon, 2004) Promo Single - List of Lights and Buoys (Rune Grammofon, 2004)
- Melody MountainMelody MountainMelody Mountain is Norwegian group Susanna and the Magical Orchestra's second album, released in 2006. It is a collection of low-key cover versions from a variety of artists.-Track listing:...
(Rune Grammofon, 2006) - 3 (Rune Grammofon, 2009)
Susanna
- Sonata Mix Dwarf Cosmos (Rune Grammofon, 2007)
- Flower of EvilFlower of Evil (album)Flower of Evil is the third album by Susanna, also known as Susanna and the Magical Orchestra. It is a collection of low-key cover versions and also features two original songs.-Track listing:...
(Rune Grammofon, 2008)
Susanna Wallumrød
- Jeg vil hjem til menneskene, Susanna Wallumrød synger Gunvor Hofmo (Grappa Musikkforlag, 2011)
The band has also contributed on the following compilations:
- Money will Ruin Everything (Rune Grammofon, 2003)
- Until Human Voices Wake us, and we Drown (Rune Grammofon, 2006)
A selection of other albums Susanna has contributed on:
- FRIKO: The Journey to Mandoola (C+C RECORDS, 2006)
- The White BirchThe White Birch (band)The White Birch was a Norwegian trio. The name comes from the 1994 album The White Birch by the band Codeine, one of the cornerstones of slowcore. They are sometimes called the "Norwegian Sigur Ròs." The trio was composed of Ola Fløttum, Hans Christian Almendingen and Ulf Rogde...
: Come Up for Air (Rune Grammofon, 2006) – backing vocals on "Seer Believer", "June" and New Kingdom". - Various: 50th Anniversary Tribute to the Artist Known as Prince (C+C Records, 2008) – backing vocals on "Purple Rain" (with The White Birch) and "Condition of the Heart" (album version).
- Rah Band: Definitive Rah Band Collection (Tool Boxx, 2009) – vocals on "Living for the Nitelife".