Allan Olsen

Allan Olsen (born March 18 1956 in Grønholt near Frederikshavn in Denmark) is a Danish singer-songwriter know for his Jytlandian dry wit and humour. His musical career has always stood in contrast to the music he prefers. Enjoying the musical styles of The Who, The Rolling Stones and The Kinks etc., it has been the acoustic Dylan and the traditional Irish and Scottish folk music he has imitated.

During 1989 Allan Olsen signs his first record contract with an agreement that insures a minimum of tre albums within the next five years. The debut album "Norlan" is musically much in the style of the British and American rock as such. The debut album is received with positive reviews by the critics. In 1990 Allan Olsen's second album "Gajo" is released. The album launches an Allan Olsen who tries to escape the farmer stereotype that the media has tried to put on him. After a massive tour period Allan Olsen begins to record his third record "Pindsvin i Pigsko". The album is released in 1993. In the autumn of 1993 Allan Olsen decides to travel to Ireland. By request of his manager Allan Olsen returns to Denmark. Here he plays and records a very short tour between the 2nd and the 10th of febuary 1994. After only six concerts the material to Allan Olsen's first live album "Rygter fra Randområderne" is a reality.

But the time in Ireland has sparked thoughts about his next album. Allan Olsen travels Ireland in search of a group of musicians who are not acquainted with the musical style of Allan Olsen to play with him on his next album. "Jern" is released in the spring of 1996 and receives great praise from the musical press and the album is rewarded with a Danish Grammy (later Danish Music Award). In the early spring of 1998 Allan Olsen releases the album "Sange for Rygere". In the late 90's a compilation by the name of En Gros, 144 minutes of Allan Olsen's greatest hits so far, is released. The album "Onomatopoietikon" is recorded in the summer of 2000 and is released in October the same year. It would be nearly five years before Allan Olsen would follow up "Onomatopoietikon" with a new studio album. During the spring of 2004 Allan Olsen and his trusted squire through many years Gæst Vincent went in the studioThe relatively down toned "Gæst" - named after his right hand man during the process - was well received and went straight to the number one spot on Hitlisten and secured Allan Olsen another Danish Music Award, his fifth so far.

Artist website: www.allanolsen.dk