SISTER CITIES ALBUM + TOUR
A US–Norway musical collaboration connecting contemporary electronic music, hip-hop, and Norwegian folk tradition.
Torbjørn · Rachel Nesvig · WatR
We are three artists from the United States and Norway coming together to create a new body of music and bring it to audiences in both countries through a series of concerts and cultural exchanges connected through the US–Norwegian Sister Cities network.
The project will combine electronic music, hip-hop, live vocals, and Hardanger fiddle, resulting in original recorded music, live performances, and photo/video documentation of the collaboration.
[Explore the project ↓]
THE ARTISTS
TORBJØRN (Tor Caspersen)
Tacoma, Washington · USA
Torbjørn is a Tacoma-based producer, DJ, vocalist whose music connects hip-hop, dubstep, bass music and Scandinavian folk traditions.
A lifelong musician with a background in violin, guitar, electronic music production and education, he has performed and worked throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, including appearances at Shambhala, Lightning in a Bottle and Alta Live in Norway.
His recent Tonmaling project, supported through the City of Tacoma's Artist Initiative Project, brought hip-hop, electronic production and Norwegian Hardanger fiddle together in a new body of work, which has been performed all throughout the US and Canada.
Recent work:
Tonmaling · Shambhala · Lightning in a Bottle · Alta Live · PK Sound · [additional links]
RACHEL NESVIG
Seattle, Washington · USA
Rachel Nesvig is a professional violinist, Hardanger fiddler, educator and conductor whose work bridges Norwegian folk tradition with contemporary performance.
With deep personal and musical connections to Norway, Rachel has studied and performed Hardanger fiddle in both the United States and Norway and has brought the instrument into classical, folk and contemporary musical settings.
Her work includes international performance, recording, education and collaborations across multiple musical disciplines.
Recent work:
[Recent project / performance] · [Recent accomplishment] · [Recent recording / collaboration]
WATR (Jonas Bjørnsted)
Lofoten · Norway
Jonas, performing as WatR, is a Norwegian producer and DJ working across contemporary bass music, dubstep, drum & bass and related electronic styles.
His production combines heavy low-end sound design with melodic and atmospheric elements, connecting contemporary electronic music with the evolving Norwegian bass-music scene.
For the Sister Cities project, Jonas brings a distinctly Norwegian electronic-music perspective to the collaboration, and an experienced understanding of the unique landscape that is Norway’s independent art and music culture.
Recent work:
[Recent release] · [Recent performance] · [Recent project / accomplishment]
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The Sister Cities relationship provides an existing connection between communities. This project gives that relationship a new creative expression.
We believe meaningful international exchange happens when artists have the opportunity to create together, share culture, and build relationships with audiences and communities on the other side of the world.
Rather than simply bringing artists into another country to perform, this project is built around collaboration: American and Norwegian artists creating something new together, then sharing that work with audiences in both countries.
Our goal is to use music and the arts to create relationships that can continue beyond a single tour — connecting artists, cultural organizations, audiences and communities through an ongoing exchange.
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At the center of the project is the creation of new original music by Torbjørn, Rachel Nesvig and WatR, combining:
Electronic Music + Hip-Hop + Norwegian Folk + Hardanger Fiddle
The music will be professionally composed, recorded, mixed and mastered, with photo and video documentation created throughout the process.
The finished work will be released publicly through online streaming, creating a lasting artistic record of the collaboration.
The project will then come to life through a series of concerts and cultural-exchange events in the United States and Norway, with opportunities for participating communities to shape the presentation around their own audiences and cultural programs.
Where possible, performances and selected project documentation will be made free and accessible to the public.
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We're looking for community partners.
Bringing an international artistic collaboration from the studio to the stage requires support at several stages of the project.
We are seeking financial and in-kind partnerships with sister-city organizations, cultural organizations, businesses, venues and community partners.
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT + RECORD PRODUCTION
Support for:
Recording and production
Mixing and mastering
Photography and video documentation
Visual content and project materials
Artist fees associated with project development
ARTIST TRAVEL + LODGING
Support for:
International airfare
Domestic transportation
Lodging
Local transportation
Artist hospitality
TOURING + STAGE PRODUCTION
Support for:
Venue costs
Stage production
Sound and lighting
Local production support
Equipment transportation
ALBUM + TOUR MARKETING
Support for:
Advertising
Public relations
Social-media promotion
Printed materials
Music and video promotion
Local event promotion
Support can take many forms. A partner might help fund international travel, provide a venue, arrange lodging, connect us with local artists, provide production support, promote an event, or help introduce the project to the community.
Every contribution helps make the exchange possible.