aaamusic | On 18, Oct 2011

Following on from their much acclaimed debut ‘Plastik’ EP, the mighty Norwegian 4 piece 22 are all set to release a brand new, 5 track EP, ‘Kneel Estate’ on the 22.11.11. All brand new songs, ‘Kneel Estate’ is filled with more ideas, musical directions and downright brilliance than most bands go through in a lifetime. 22 are a very special band. Their complex but beautiful vocal melodies overlay angular and progressive guitar parts creating something unique and other worldly. As guitarist Magnus explains, a large reason behind the bands out there and hard to pigeonhole sound is their unique song writing process: ” The music we make is not made by us. We see it more like a download-process, from a shared creative current that everyone can tap into if they so choose. Sometimes we say “what the f#%k just happened!?!”, when we listen to something we have just created. Because none of us understand what we have made or how we made it. It is sort of a channelling process.”

Look out for the Stephen Agnew (White Lies, The Vaccines, Pulled Apart By Horses) directed ‘Kneel Estate’ video coming soon, which sees the band and an aged, white bearded spiritual guru, offering help through the TV screen. Magnus explains the reason behind the idea: ” I got very much into alternative circles as a teenager. And I attended every workshop and seminar in healing, channeling, crystals, breathing, meditation, yoga and so on, that I could come across. So in my teens I spent a lot of time amidst 40+ aged women in their search for spiritual fulfillment. Over the years, maybe the most valuable piece of wisdom that I gleaned from studying all these different techniques and methods for enlightenment, was that you left every workshop feeling that you needed to go to the next one to get a little closer to what you are seeking. But you never get there, no matter how many retreats or seminars you attend. That is how the alternative industry sustains itself. It’s like diets and weight loss programs: If they worked, they wouldn’t exist. There wouldn’t be a need for them.”

LIVE wise, 22 have toured and conquered most of Europe, as well as headline festivals across Norway. They have JUST returned from a triumphant first tour of Japan AND will be heading off across Europe with Guano Apes throughout all of October. The band will also be back over in the UK (following up their May visit to The Great Escape and sold out Barfly debut London show) in November as special guests to Arcane Roots on their November UK headline tour, all dates below.

 

‘Kneel Estate’ track-listings:

1. Kneel Estate / 2. Molecyl

3. Chrysalis / 4. Algorythm

5. Kneel Estate [Kohib Remix]

 

EUROPEAN DATES (with GUANO APES):

05.10.2011 – Köln E-Wern / 07.10.2011 – Hamburg Alsterdorfer Sporthalle

09.10.2011 – Berlin Columbia Halle  / 10.10.2011 – Leipzig Auensee

12.10.2011 – PL-Krakow Teatr Laznia Nowa / 13.10.2011 – CZ-Prague KD Vitavska

15.10.2011 – HU-Budapest Club 202 / 16.10.2011 – A-Wien Gasometer

18.10.2011 – CH-Zürich Maag Halle / 21.10.2011 – München Backstage Werk

23.10.2011 – I-Roma Atlantico  / 24.10.2011 – I-Milano Alcatraz

26.10.2011 – E-Barcelona Apolo 2 / 27.10.2011 – E-Madrid Ramdall

29.10.2011 – PT-Lisbon Coliseu / 30.10.2011 – PT-Porto Coliseu

 

UK DATES (as special guests on the ARCANE ROOTS tour):

06.11.2011   Tunbridge Wells   Forum / 07.11.2011   Cardiff   Ifor Bach

08.11.2011   Nottingham   Rescue Rooms / 09.11.2011   Edinburgh   Sneaky Petes

10.11.2011   York   Fibbers / 11.11.2011   Carlisle   Brickyard

12.11.2011   Manchester    Alter Ego / 13.11.2011   Liverpool    Ink

14.11.2011   Birmingham    The End / 15.11.2011   Sheffield    Corporation

16.11.2011   Southampton    Joiners / 17.11.2011   London    Barfly