Casiokids

Norwegian electro-pop outfit Casiokids first attracted notice through their dramatically staged concerts. Formed in Bergen in 2005, the sextet originally included Einar Olsson, Fredrik Øgreid Vogsborg, Ketil Kinden Endresen, Kjetil Bjøreid Aabø, Matias Monsen, and Omar N'Dur. Their sound drew on New Order, Paul Simon’s Graceland, Fela Kuti, King Tubby, Cornelius, Gorillaz, and Liquid Liquid. The group’s debut album, Fück Midi, appeared on Karisma Records in 2006. Critical attention grew after a run of singles issued by Moshi Moshi Records, among them “Grønt Lys I Alle Ledd” b/w “Togens Hule” (2008), “Finn Bikkjen!” b/w “Gomurmamma” (2009), and “Verdens Störste Land” b/w “Fot I Hose” (2009), especially among listeners in the United Kingdom. By summer 2010 the lineup had become Endresen, Øgreid Vogsborg, Bjøreid Aabø, and Omar Emanuel Johnsen, and the quartet delivered the album Topp Stemning På Lokal Bar. Widespread acclaim for that record prompted fellow Norwegians a-ha to name Casiokids one of four acts most likely to succeed, an honor accompanied by a one-million-kroner grant. The band’s second full-length effort, Aabenbaringen Over Aaskammen, followed in fall 2011.