ABOUT
As a talented kid sitting at the piano in a tiny congregation, the hymns being played over and over again happened to be the most important influence on my musical career. On the other hand, and quite contrary, a lifetime affection for and working with electronic music have definitely made an impact and brought contrasting flavours to my music.
As pianist, arranger, music programmer and composer of original music, my work focus these last years has been on the creation of emotive and rhythmic soundscapes for different kinds of productions, improvisational and contemplative piano performing, and the composing of liturgical music – and thus, working with a vast number of different artists and projects.
My most important work has come to life through the collaboration with record company Kirkelig Kulturverksted and the institution Kulturkirken Jakob. For more than 20 years the musical influence from that extraordinary environment has had an significant impact on my musical development, in particular the extensive work with the notable Jacob Mass.
Projects
Kristiansen // Vemøy: Øyvind Kristiansen [piano, synthesizers & programming] Jonas Kilmork Vemøy [trumpet & electronics]
Kristiansen // Vemøy
Norwegian duo Kristiansen // Vemøy came to life early 2020, amid the warning for a coming worldwide pandemic. After years working with their other projects and a vast number of artists and musicians, their mutual admiration for each other’s musicality and distinctive character paved way for a new and intriguing musical relationship.
«Hymns of Compassion» and «Hymns of Longing» are the first two albums in a trilogy meditating over mankind’s longing for the divine and eternal – the former at the same time sonorous and simple, quiet and mighty, with a trumpet and piano base, with musical aestheticism underscored by beautiful vocal contributions; the latter blending sacred music and ambient electronica, bringing the sound of the past and the present together while contrasting the powerful electronic soundscapes with acoustic elements from jazz and classical music.
The atmosphere of Kristiansen // Vemøy’s music alternates between drama and tranquility, with subtle acoustic performances, powerful dynamic lifts, and lush emotive, often rhythmic soundscapes – all in all aiming to create a contemplative space for the restless modern human being. It’s all rooted in the old hymns describing existential paradoxes and challenges – first and foremost the suffering, the longing and the relief.
«Hymns of Compassion» was released in March 2021. «Hymns of Longing», released last year, has been mentioned as one of 10 best jazz albums in Norway 2022 by the newspaper Dagsavisen. «Hymns for Shepherds and Kings» is to be released Nov. 22 2024
Tania Saleh
It has been a true privilege teaming up as music producer together with Tania Saleh, one of the most respected independent artists in the Arab region – on her recent album “10 A.D.”, released on the record label Kirkelig Kulturverksted.
The ambition has been to bring Saleh´s original musical ideas to life – making a blend of the authentic sound of her own geographic neighbourhood with a modern, programmed musical framework, adding to the music beats, textures, colour and depth, to letting her lovely melodies shine.
This new, great album blends in nicely to her existing list of beautiful records. It contains fresh musical flavours, lots of vitality and interesting elements – not to forget Saleh´s strong and important message and her own visual artwork for this album, which connects seamlessly with her utterly relevant lyrics.
10 A.D. has received praise among the critics, and was awarded Quarterly Crtitic’s Choice at the German Record Critics’ Award Q3/2021.
MEDIA
Hymns of Compassion – teaser
Hymns of Longing – teaser
Work
Kristiansen // vemøy: hymns of compassion
As recording artist: Making a blend of acoustic instruments, electronics and programming when paraphrasing over old hymns related to the last days of the Holy Week
erik hillestad // øyvind kristiansen: mass into the maelstrom
As composer and music programmer: Making of contemporary liturgical melodies and electronic tracks with powerful drones and beats for the Sunday mass combining audio and video in Jacob Church in Oslo - music supplementing utterly relevant lyrics regarding deeply concerning themes: The power of algorithms in our day-to-day digital life
D´Sound: Spice of Life
As musician: Laying down the Rhodes and Wurlitzer tracks on this groovy band´s debut album, a soon-to-be musical reference point in Norway. A formative experience and a “ground zero” in my musical career.
Kristiansen // vemøy: hymns of longing
As recording artist: Creating an ambient/electronic/acoustic blend when meditating over old hymns thematizing mankind’s longing for the eternal and divine
Erik Hillestad //øyvind kristiansen: Mass under the rainbow
As composer: Making of contemporary liturgical melodies for pop ensemble and vocals for the Sunday mass in Jacob Church in Oslo – to supplement highly relevant lyrics regarding political and ideological polarisation as well as religious dialogue and unity
norwegian radio orchestra w/artists: jul på orkesterplass
As church musician: Doing some pretty soft and pad sounding organ accompaniment to some of the much loved artists participating
Tania Saleh: 10 A.D.
As producer: Elaborating the arrangements and creating a modern electronic base for Saleh´s wonderful melodies – though allowing for the ethnic instruments of her geographic neighbourhood to shine through
carola: jul i betlehem
As arranger and music programmer: Adding new musical colours to existing and well-known Christmas hymns on the album of this most celebrated artist, through an extensive use of ambients, textures and electronic beats – as substrate for classical and pop instruments
Ferhat Tunç: kobani
As musician: Laying down some piano and organ tracks on the album of this remarkable Kurdish artist; all music aiming to underscore Tunç’s utterly relevant, often political, lyrics, as well as his unique voice.
Synnøve rognlien: undr
As arranger and music programmer: Making an electronic framework with beats and textures, based on acoustic and nature sounds collected from Rognlien´s own residences – to surrounding her ethereal vocal and as a base for the distinguished musicians participating
grethe svensen: 24hrs
As producer: Capturing the smooth trip hop sound of the decade, combining a beat oriented programmed base with the sound of the finest rhythmic musicians of that particular time