Frode Qvale is a new green leaf on the blossoming tree of nascent Norwegian pop music. Singing in his distinctive Stavanger dialect, he is backed by an ensemble of musicians that are not afraid to get down and dirty.

For more than a year now Qvale's ensemble has been working on their debut album. Songwriter, singer and band leader Frode Qvale contacted KKV last summer with three demo songs. He and the band were so encouraged by our response to these songs that they literally ran back to the studio to record more songs. 

The recording in Bergen was produced by Stian Carstensen, and the outcome is a tango-like cabaret rock reflecting a lot of care-free abandon. 

The lyrics are written by Gunnar Roalkvam, who also has written songs for popular Norwegian singer Sigvart Dagsland. The songs are about falling in love and give glimpses into scenes of everyday life with a twist. 

Qvale's ensemble consists of:

Frode Qvale – vocals and trumpet

Stein Inge Brækhus – drums

Magne Thormodsæther – double bass

Vidar Eldholm Olsen – piano

Bjarte Aasmul – guitar 

Wenche Losnegård – vocals 

Track list:

1. Såpebobler (Soap Bubbles)

2. Kjangsa med armen i gips (Taking Chances with Your Arm in a Cast)

3. Gamle damers vals (Old Ladies' Waltz)

4. Alle andre (Everybody Else)

5. Ugraset tar gatene så tar me resten (First the Weeds Take the Streets then We Take the Rest)

6. Ein liten snutt (A Little Bit)

7. Blyge Harry (Shy Harry)

8. Alt har ein ende men pølsa har to (Everything Has an End but a Hot Dog Has Two)

9. Grønn forelskelse (Green Love)

10. Mange blir mye (Many and Much)

11 Snøklokker (Snow Bells)