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Serena-Maneesh

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Serena-Maneesh
Serena-Maneesh playing live in Australia. From left: Eivind Schou, Einar Lukerstuen, Emil Nikolaisen, Hilma Nikolaisen, Øystein Sandsdalen
Serena-Maneesh playing live in Australia. From left: Eivind Schou, Einar Lukerstuen, Emil Nikolaisen, Hilma Nikolaisen, Øystein Sandsdalen
Background information
OriginOslo, Norway
GenresAlternative rock, shoegaze, indie rock, noise pop
Years active1999–present
Labels4AD, HoneyMilk, Playlouder
MembersEmil Nikolaisen
Hilma Nikolaisen
Øystein Sandsdalen
Tommy Akerholdt
Aadne Meisfjord
Websitehttp://www.serena-maneesh.com/

Serena-Maneesh (previously spelled Serena Maneesh,[1] sometimes shortened to S-M) is an alternative rock band from Oslo, Norway.

Significance of the Name

In an interview with Village Indian, lead member Emil Nikolaisen explained the word-constellation the following way:

'Serena' is an adaptation of the Norwegian word for veil... The name came out from this veil you can see, you can see the melody through a stressful storm of noise. That's what I love about music – you can work with this veil. There is so much stress in the world, you know? Serena could also mean serenity, serene. There are all these connotations. Then you see glints -- you see something incredible, but it's in the moment. It's through this veil. 'Maneesh' is a rewriting of the Norwegian word 'manesje,' which is the area around a stage. Sirkus Merano, remember that? We later found out it was also the Hindu Lord of the Mind. But it is more a picture... If you look at a stage in a circus or opera, there's an area surrounding the stage containing a lot of elements. Small, subtle elements that make the stage presence that much more powerful. That's incredible. If you take that to the sound world... The whole thing is talking about the sound elements... For that reason, it's perfect. If ever two words conjured the elemental nature of this band's sound, they are Serena-Maneesh.

Biography

The team of musicians who each contribute to the band's sound is organized around its main protagonist and songwriter Emil Nikolaisen. Nikolaisen has previously appeared as a guitarist and songwriter in the indie band Royal, played drums in Norwegian punk rock band Silver, as well as in the retro-pop orchestra The Loch Ness Mouse. He also played guitar with the metal band Extol.

Important sources of musical inspiration are The Velvet Underground, My Bloody Valentine, Amon Düül, The Stooges, Swans, Spacemen 3, Spiritualized, Stereolab, Royal Trux, Neu!, and Antonio Carlos Jobim.[2] In late 2005, the band toured Europe in support of The Dandy Warhols. In early 2006, Serena-Maneesh landed the opening gig for British band Oasis during its UK tour. They supported Nine Inch Nails on the Australia/Japan leg of their 2007 world tour.[3]

The highly acclaimed self-titled debut album was released on the Norwegian record-label HoneyMilk in the autumn of 2005. In December of the same year, the Norwegian vinyl label Hype City released an LP print featuring two exclusive tracks, and the Spanish indie distributor Touchme Records published the CD. In March 2006, the band announced its transfer to the Playlouder-branch of the Beggars Group established in Europe (UK, Germany and Italy), North America (United States and Canada) and Oceania (Australia). In June 2006, the band released an international edition of its self-titled album (both CD and LP) through the international label Playlouder.

The long-awaited second album Serena Maneesh 2: Abyss in B Minor was released in March 2010 on the renowned British independent label 4AD. According to Nikolaisen, it sounds like a "rock'n'roll chamber of magic."[2]

Band members

Current members:

Previous or associated members:

  • Hilma Nikolaisen – bass
  • Øystein Sandsdalen – guitar
  • Tommy Akerholdt – drums
  • Lina (Holmstroem) Wallinder – vocals, percussion, organ
  • Sondre Tristan Midttun – guitar
  • Ann Sung-An Lee – vocals, percussion, organ
  • Håvard Krogedal – organ, cello
  • Marco Storm – drums
  • Eivind Schou – viola
  • Anders Møller – percussion
  • Einar Lukerstuen – drums

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Singles

  • "Drain Cosmetics" (12 June 2006, United Kingdom)
    • Enahnced CD; Playlouder Recordings (PLAYR7CD)
    • 7" vinyl; Playlouder Recordings (PLAYR7S)
    • 12" vinyl; Playlouder Recordings (PLAYR7T)
  • "Sapphire Eyes" (2 October 2006, United Kingdom)
    • CD; Playlouder Recordings (PLAYR12CD)
    • 7" vinyl; Playlouder Recordings (PLAYR12S)
  • "Ayisha Abyss" (18 January 2010, United Kingdom)
    • 12" vinyl, b/w: "Call-Back from a Dream"; 4AD (BAD 2941)

Split singles

  • Serena Maneesh / The Parkas: Singles Club #4 7" (2004) – Australia, Low Transit Industries LTID012
    • "Drive Me Home the Lonely Nights"
  • Serena Maneesh / Blood on the Wall 7" (February 2006) – United States, Insound
    • "Sapphire Eyes" (Serena-Maneesh Refix)

Appearances on compilations

  • "Blues Like Beehive" on Ŏya Festivalen: Oslo 08-10 Aug 2002 (1 May 2002, Norway)
    • CD; Øya Festival
  • "Leipziger Love Life" on The Pet Series Volume 1 (20 July 2002, Netherlands)
    • CD; Sally Forth Records (SF1059)
  • "Drive Me Home the Lonely Nights" on Counter Culture 05 (23 January 2006, United Kingdom)

Music videos

  • "Drive Me Home the Lonely Nights" (1 May 2003), written and directed by Ola Bratt
  • "Drain Cosmetics" (4 June 2006)
  • "I Just Want to See Your Face" (12 March 2010)

Media links

Serena Maneesh LP

"Drain Cosmetics" SP

Fixxations EP

External links

References

  1. ^ Playloudrecordings
  2. ^ a b 4AD - Serena-Maneesh
  3. ^ NIN - Tour
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