Veps

The indie group Veps, originating in Oslo, Norway, crafts an assured and melodic mix of pop and rock that echoes the 1990s style of bands such as the Cardigans and Garbage. They secured interest from labels and for touring via their initial EP released in 2021, which paved the way for their first full album, the guitar-driven Oslo Park, issued the next year.

The quartet—consisting of Helena Mariero Olasveengen on vocals and keyboards, Laura Dodson handling vocals and guitar, June Karine Urholt on bass and vocals, and Maja Beitrusten Berge at the drums—had been acquainted since elementary school in Oslo. Their initial collaborative effort occurred during middle school on a short film titled Liv og Erle, which earned a festival prize. At age 14, the group started making music. They adopted the name Veps, meaning "wasp" in Norwegian, and performed numerous local DIY gigs prior to entering high school. Shortly into their first year of high school, two self-released singles resulted in a contract with Kanine Records, based in Brooklyn. In September 2021, with all members aged 17, Kanine put out the debut EP Open the Door. This release expanded the reach of their 1990s-styled pop-rock sound, leading to a headline tour across the U.K.

To create their inaugural LP, the rising act brought in Matias Tellez, a producer who has won the Spellemann Prize and worked with girl in red and Sondre Lerche. Serving as both a tribute to and farewell from their adolescent phase, Oslo Park came out through Kanine Records during November 2022.