Inger Nordvik - Hibernation (VINYL)

The singer and composer Inger Nordvik has a background in classical music, and as a songwriter, she draws in elements from folk, pop and jazz to what has been described as a unique musical universe. In 2020, she released the critically acclaimed debut album “Time”, and is now following up with her second full-length, “Hibernation”. 

With all her plans for “Time” cancelled due to covid, Inger found herself isolated at a small cabin by the sea in Northern Norway. Realising after some time that the pandemic wasn't going anywhere, she decided to use the isolation to work on new music. “I eventually found a routine in all this, ice bathing in the morning and then writing,” explains Inger.

On Hibernation Inger expands upon her musical core of piano and vocals by developing her characteristic chamber-pop sound with a more elaborate production. Her influences on Hibernation mainly lie in the 60s and 70s; whether it’s the arrangements of The Beatles or the classic songwriting of artists like Joni Mitchell and Judee Sill. Combining these sources of inspiration with her own musical education and the sparkling modern production, Inger is creating her very own contemporary style.

The sound design behind Hibernation is not only synonymous musically with the 60s and 70s, but also speaks of issues that are not so different from that period, only brought to light in the new millennium. Because are our voices really being heard on the digital streets?

Inger started working on the album pre-pandemic, and a lot of the feelings she was addressing at the time seemed to accelerate with the lockdowns. Many of the songs on the album, have micro and macro verses - conversations one has with themselves and with the outside world.  “If you wake up in a lonely winter, where’s your tribe?” This is the question that Nordvik asks. It’s a sincere question, and in our silent compliances, in our anaesthetic state, togetherness is sometimes lost to reverie. 

Hibernation is part of a cycle, and this album is a journey through it and beyond. Nordvik leaves her winter cave, like the snow thawing in spring. Her voice becomes the melting ice that turns to water, in motion flowing outwards through her lyrics, trickling lively on the piano, resonating on the strings and synths of spring.

The album was recorded in Studio Paradiso (Pom Poko, Sondre Lerche, Jaga Jazzist) in Oslo between December 2021 and February 2022. The core band consisted of bass player Bárður Reinert Poulsen (Espen Berg Trio, Wako), drummer and percussionist Ola Øverby (Fieh), and the guitarist Torstein Slåen (Damata). In addition, Inger brought in a string trio and a brass ensemble to add final notes of beauty to the production.