By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
Norwegian indie folk-pop duo Kings of Convenience is coming to town for the first time next month.
Consisting of Erlend Oye and Eirik Glambek Boe, the group is known for its delicate tunes, calming vocals and intricately subtle guitar melodies. Both Oye and Boe sing and write their own songs.
The duo released its debut album, ``Quiet Is The New Loud'' and a remix album, ``Versus'' in 2001 and its second album, ``Riot On A Empty Street'' in 2004.
``Quiet Is The New Loud'' was produced by Coldplay producer Ken Nelson. The album was successful in lending the duo name to a small movement of musicians in the pop underground, including acoustic contemporaries, which features more subtle melodies and messages.
``Versus'' includes remixes of the tracks from the debut album. After this remix album, Oye lived in Berlin for few years and did solo work. Oye also has a side project titled The Whitest Boy Alive.
The music video made for ``I'd Rather Dance With You,'' the second single from the album, ``Riot on an Empty Street,'' topped MTV's European list as the best music video of 2004.
Its trademark melodic tunes and warm-hearted touches exuded from the duo's music have drawn high acclaims from both critics and fans.
The group's music is marked by its acoustic sound based on guitars, along with orchestrated compositions of piano, trumpet, viola and cello, which blend with their delicate and soothing vocals.
Their music is called ``new acoustic movement,'' often compared with musicians such as Belle & Sebastian, Damian Rice, Elliott Smith and the late Nick Drake.
In Korea, the duo is popular with their songs ― ``I Don't Know What I Can Save You From,'' ``Stay Out of Trouble,'' and ``Homesick'' ― which were used in TV commercials.
For the upcoming concerts, the group will sing its new songs, which will be included in a new album to be released this year.
The concerts will be held at Millennium Hall of Yonsei University in Seoul on April 11-12.
Tickets cost from 77,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, call (02) 773-1120 or visit www.nesen.co.kr.