I Was A King

Having only been in existence for a few years, Norwegian group I Was a King has quickly gained recognition from the media, musicians, and fans alike. Front man Frode Strømstad has been said to have a unique gift of creating addictive melodies that hold distinctive roots to the 60's, distorted through a 90's indie scene filter.

In 2007, I Was A King released their debut, Losing Something Good for Something Better. It was labeled "Royally brilliant" and given 8 out of 10 by NME. The Independent, and The Sunday Times gave equally flattering praise and The Guardian said, " Norwegian wunderkind Str ø mstrad takes ol' lankhair's ramshackle rock and squeezes it through a dreampop filter...If Alan McGee hadn't wound down Creation, this lot would have been first in the queue to sign on the dotted line. File next to: Fountains Of Wayne, Apples In Stereo, Neutral Milk Hotel, Strawberry Wine-era My Bloody Valentine."

I Was a King now prepares for their North American debut with a self-titled follow-up album, featuring collaborations from Emil Nikolaisen (Serena Maneesh ), Sufjan Stevens, Daniel Smith (Danielson) and Gary Olson (Ladybug Transistor) . The album was recorded at Marlborough Farms (Brooklyn, NY) and mixed by Nick Terry (Primal Scream, The Libertines, Klaxons ).

The band will release a digital & 7" import single, "It's All you" / "Norman Bleik," on 1/27 through Norwegian and Danish labels, Hype City/Morningside . Their self-titled album will then be released in the US on April 7 th through The Control Group (El Perro del Mar, The Figurines) . It recently received a 6/6 rating in one of Norway's largest newspapers, Dagbladet, and has already gained comparison to acts such as Teenage Fanclub and Guided By Voices .

I Was a King has toured Europe several times, performing with bands such Magnolia Electric Co, Ladybug Transistor, Herman Dune, and Why? Live, the band consists of Frode Strømstad, Anne Lise Frøkedal (Harrys Gym), Håvard Krogedal (ex Serena-Maneesh, Loch Ness Mouse) in addition to a revolving door of friends. The band will embark on a US tour starting in June.