Monday, December 30, 2013

Ane Bune and Linnea Olsson's "Halo" live video

Ane Brun and Linnea Olsson’s live performance of Beyoncé’s “Halo” recently premiered on Rolling Stone’s website at rol.st/JaRM46 and can be streamed and shared on YouTube at youtu.be/6FWG4hIzQTo. A studio version of the cover also appears on Ane Brun’s new collection Rareties, out now on her own Balloon Ranger label. The singer is set to embark on a North American tour with Olsson, a cellist and singer who will support Brun as a featured musician. “I am very excited to perform my music in America,” says Olsson. “I love touring in the states and I am curious about how the audience will receive my songs. I can’t wait to get there.” The tour includes stops in Los Angeles and New York; please see below for complete tour dates.


Brun’s second collection of the year Rareties follows the release of Songs 2003-2013 in May and is being praised by Stereo Subversion as “the proper monument for an artist intent on documenting an achievement” and by Ear Buddy as a “must listen.” Both collections are celebrations of Brun’s critically acclaimed and highly successful ten-year music career, and Rarities features lesser-known works spanning her time as a recording artist.


According to Brun, “Rarities is a compilation of songs and recordings that have either not been released, or have been released on other compilations or as singles. This is a way to empty our  cupboards of recordings that have been lying around, and another way to mark my ten year anniversary as an artist.” The collection includes covers of Björk and The Beatles, among others, as well as new versions of fan favorites and previously unreleased songs. See below for full track listing.


Rarities collects some of the more private moments from Brun’s career. Her cover of “Halo” derives from a tradition of singing the song backstage to warm up on her 2009 tour with The Diamonds. The Beatles’ “From Me To You” and Amerie’s “1 Thing” were recorded alone in Brun’s Stockholm studio. The piano version of “Oh Love,” is a recording of a performance of the song for a small group of friends.


On the other hand, Rarities also includes some very public moments released for the first time. Brun’s rendition of Björk’s “Joga” was recorded at the 2012 Polar Prize Award Ceremony in front of Björk herself and a TV audience of millions. Brun remembers being “as nervous as I’ve ever been, both before and after.” Fans may recognize the new version of “Humming One of Your Songs,” the first track from Brun’s very first album, from renditions at live shows the past few years.


Brun was born in Norway and lives in Stockholm. She has recorded eight albums over the last ten years. In 2005, her second album A Temporary Dive earned her critical acclaim at home and abroad and the Norwegian Grammy for Best Female Artist. Her third album The Changing Of The Seasons was recorded in Iceland by Valgier Sigursson, of which the New York Times said, “Changing of the Seasons offers the kind of comfort that only well-versed singer-songwriters can give. An album full of sad songs to revel in as the days grow shorter and colder, Seasons is Brun’s strongest work yet.” Songs 2003-2013 was a confirmation of Brun’s achievements as a songwriter, and Rarities furthers that proclamation, celebrating the less-known corners of Brun’s catalog.


ANE BRUN TOUR DATES


*With special guest Linnea Olsson


February 11                                                  Vienna, VA                                               Jammin Java*


February 12                                               New York, NY                                   Highline Ballroom*


February 13                                                Montreal, QC                                                   L’Astral*


February 14                                                 Toronto, ON                                                        Rivoli*


February 15                                                  Chicago, IL                                         Schubas Tavern*


February 17                                               Vancouver, BC                                            Electric Owl*


February 18                                                 Seattle, WA                                      Crocodile Lounge*


February 19                                            San Francisco, CA                                                  Yoshis*


February 21                                               San Deigo, CA                                                    Casbah*


February 22                                             Los Angeles, CA                                                The Mint*