Casiokids

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, New York hipsters, 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, France and the USA, including Roskilde Festival (Denmark, 2008), CMJ Music Marathon (New York City, 2008) The Great Escape Festival (Brighton, UK 2008) City Showcase Festival (London, UK 2008), Luminaire (London, UK 2008 with Matt&Kim) Sous La Plage Festival (Paris, France 2007), La Fleche d’Or (Paris, France 2007), Øya Festival (Norway 2006 & 2008), Ekko Festival(Bergen, Norway 2005), NuMusic Festival (Stavanger, Norway 2005 w/ Jamie Lidell, K.Stockhausen, Datarock, Carl Craig+), Les Nuits Secrètes (Aulnoye-Aymeries, France 2008) Elektroni(k) Festival (Rennes, France 2005), La Lune Des Pirates (Amiens, France 2005), La Guinguette Pirate (Paris, France 2005), Vossajazz (Norway, 2005 w/Jaga Jazzist+), Festspillene (Bergen, Norway 2005+2007) and Scandinavia’s biggest and best showcase festival by:Larm (Stavanger 2005 & Oslo 2008) to name a few.

With the release of their first UK single Casiokids seem poised to be the latest in a long line of artists from the celebrated Bergen scene to rattle the cages of jaded 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.