Bio

Old analogue and trashy keyboards, pop melodies and a digital & shadow puppet theatre make up the Norwegian electro-troupe that is CASIOKIDS. The band sprung out of an idea of making electronic music more visual, but has developed further into being a collective of theatre blended with pop melodies often sung in their native language and influenced by afro-beat, techno and out-and-out pop. The music draws similarities and takes inspiration from Paul Simon's "Graceland", Ivor Cutler, King Tubby, Bob Hund, Cornelius and Fela Kuti.

October 27 sees the historic release of the first ever Norwegian language pop single in the UK. Refusing to accept the notion of b-sides, Casiokids will release the Double A sided single Grønt lys i alle ledd/Togens hule on Moshi Moshi Records. The band now becomes the latest in a select band of artists to have released through Moshi’s Singles Club including names such as Late of the Pier, Lykke Li, Florence and The Machine and Kate Nash.

Apart from doing an extensive tour in Norwegian kindergartens, Casiokids has also played for indie kids in Paris, festivalgoers in England & Denmark and for geeks and geezers all over Norway since 2005. The band has also played several renowned festivals and venues in Norway, England, Denmark and France, including Roskilde Festival (Denmark, 2008) The Great Escape Festival (Brighton, 2008) City Showcase Festival (London, UK 2008), Luminaire (London, 2008 with Matt&Kim) Sous La Plage Festival (Paris 2007), La Fleche d'Or (Paris 2007), Øya (Oslo 2006 & 2008), Ekko (Bergen 2005), NuMusic (Stavanger 2005 w/ Jamie Lidell, K.Stockhausen, Datarock, Carl Craig++), Les Nuits Secrètes (Aulnoye-Aymeries, France 2008) Elektroni(k) Festival (Rennes 2005), La Lune Des Pirates (Amiens 2005), La Guinguette Pirate (Paris 2005), Vossajazz (2005 w/Jaga Jazzist++), Festspillene (Bergen 2005+2007) and by:Larm (Stavanger 2005 & Oslo 2008) to name a few.

With the release of their first UK single and a week of dates in September marking their third visit to England in less than 6 months, Casiokids seem poised to be the latest in a long line of artists from the celebrated Bergen scene to rattle the cages of jaded UK audiences and industry. Think Røyksöpp, Datarock, Annie, Kings of Convenience and The Whitest Boy Alive and you have some idea of the international potential contained in this rainy city on the west coast of Norway which Casiokids call home. And it seems certain that the band will be spending less and less time there as word spreads about their sensational live shows, indietronic extravaganzas and catchy as hell tunes.

 

Said about Casiokids:

“My other favourite Norwegian discovery, Casiokids…switch styles so much that it’s hard to really pin them down—variables include high, winsome vocals, rubbery 8-bit melodies, dancey backing tracks, slashy post-punk guitars, a multi-media stage show with various kinds of puppets and video projections, and just generally a sweet and crazy party vibe.” – Pitchforkmedia.com review of Øya 2008, Brian Howe

“The perfect hybrid of Duran Duran, Kings of Leon, Efterklang, Sigur Ros and 2unlimited (6/6)” - GAFFA (Denmark): by:Larm festival, Oslo 2008

“Although, their music doesn't really sound like it was written for children (think, instead, a less manic Los Campensinos!), it does seem childlike in its oscillation between pent-up joy and sick-day wistfulness, the sighs of kids staring out the window at other kids playing. It makes you wonder if excited kids feel the same way in all snowy small towns.” Paper Thin Walls review of Grønt lys i alle ledd: March 2008

“Rock’n’roll circus? Nah - Casiokids know that electro-funk shadow theatre is really where it’s at.”- BBC, NUMusic Festival, Stavanger 2005