Norway....

[Barking Spiders]

Beyond A-Ha and Death/Black metal, Norway's music scene has a lot more to offer. Just been enjoying some Dagny after a recommendation on another thread. She's excellent as is Sigrid. Also Norway's home to some fine electronica such as seminal ambient electronica guru Biosphere, space disco merchant Prins Thomas, fellow part time collaborator Lindstrom, Norway's answer to The Chemical Brothers, Ugress, and the better known Royksopp.

 

So, any other small countries you reckon are punching above their weight music-wise considering their small populations?

[Mykesbass]

  On 29/08/2023 at 15:05, Barking Spiders said:

So, any other small countries you reckon are punching above their weight music-wise considering their small populations?

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Scotland. Punching way above its weight for years. 

[ahpook]

Rockall's worthy of note - not many places Rock so hard that they are made, and are indeed named, entirely of Rock.

 

[toneknob]

This lot has opened a fair few doors

[Doctor J]

Sweden for sure: The Wannadies, Europe, The Cardigans, Esbjorn Svensson Trio, Entombed, At The Gates, TSOOL, Opeth, The Hives... Abba?

[BassTractor]

  On 29/08/2023 at 19:05, Doctor J said:

Sweden for sure: The Wannadies, Europe, The Cardigans, Esbjorn Svensson Trio, Entombed, At The Gates, TSOOL, Opeth, The Hives... Abba?

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... and Laleh too.
Her "Some Die Young" nearly became Norway's national anthem, as it were, after the 2011 Norway attacks. 
Beatiful song, though I tend to prefer the live versions without the effects on the voice.
 

 

[deepbass5]

Ireland, must be well up there.

[Piers_Williamson]

Belgium...........

 

 

 

[Lozz196]

  On 29/08/2023 at 20:37, deepbass5 said:

Ireland, must be well up there.

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Would have been my answer too

[mattbass6]

You must give Hypermass a listen. A combination of melodic death metal, progressive rock, with harmony guitars. Amazing musicians. Superb band ☺️

[lowdown]

Iceland.

 

A few I listen to, or have listened to over the years:

 

Mezzoforte, Ólafur Arnalds, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Jóhann Jóhannsson...

And of course Björk.

Edited August 30, 2023 by lowdown

[White Cloud]

  On 29/08/2023 at 15:12, Mykesbass said:

Scotland. Punching way above its weight for years. 

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In every sense of the word. 

[Doctor J]

Back to Norway... Ondt Blod put on one of the best gigs I have ever seen, had a total Joliet Jake moment, I saw the light.

 

 

[lowdown]

  On 29/08/2023 at 20:51, Piers_Williamson said:

Belgium...........

 

 

 

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And the great 'Toots', of course:

 

 

[Cat Burrito]

I think there is so much great stuff from so many places but ultimately it depends on your tastes. Personally I'm into some great bands from everywhere from Italy to Belarus. I think the record companies fixate far too much on L.A., New York and London. 

[Mykesbass]

  On 30/08/2023 at 08:13, Cat Burrito said:

I think there is so much great stuff from so many places but ultimately it depends on your tastes. Personally I'm into some great bands from everywhere from Italy to Belarus. I think the record companies fixate far too much on L.A., New York and London. 

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And sadly, one of the best things in years for British bands outside of London, BBC Introducing, is being reduced.

Edited August 30, 2023 by Mykesbass

[Crusoe]

Northern Ireland? Undertones, Van Morrison, Stiff Little Fingers, Therapy, Gary Moore, Simon McBride, Dana...

[Mykesbass]

  On 30/08/2023 at 08:41, Crusoe said:

Northern Ireland? Undertones, Van Morrison, Stiff Little Fingers, Therapy, Gary Moore, Simon McBride, Dana...

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You put the question mark in the wrong place 😏

[Crusoe]

  On 30/08/2023 at 08:43, Mykesbass said:

You put the question mark in the wrong place 😏

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I'll have you know Dana is considered a goddess in these parts. Oh, you mean Van? 😄

[BassTractor]

A sort of experimental, doomish rock from Trondheim, Norway.
"Painting on glass" was The 3rd and the Mortal's second studio-album. Their style would chance for the next release, "In this room".
 

 

[BassTractor]

The 3rd and the Mortal again, now from the more atmospheric album "In this room".
One can hear some experimentation going on, as well as a proggish influence.
BTW, I've seen them live twice, and not only were they a great band, they were also highly different from their albums - more death metal like.
Innersting.
 

 

[Crusoe]

  On 29/08/2023 at 20:51, Piers_Williamson said:

Belgium...........

 

 

 

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Father Abraham and the Smurfs - a Dutch/Belgian collaboration. 😄

[Mykesbass]

  On 30/08/2023 at 08:52, Crusoe said:

I'll have you know Dana is considered a goddess in these parts. Oh, you mean Van? 😄

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Well considering their website was therapyquestionmark.com...

Oh, and I met Dana briefly - she was absolutely delightful. As for Therapy? probably the nicest people I had the pleasure of working with in my record company days.

Edited August 30, 2023 by Mykesbass

[Rexel Matador]

Jamaica?

[Crusoe]

  On 30/08/2023 at 11:26, Mykesbass said:

Well considering their website was therapyquestionmark.com...

Oh, and I met Dana briefly - she was absolutely delightful. As for Therapy? probably the nicest people I had the pleasure of working with in my record company days.

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Ahh, yes. i forgot about Therapy's logo 😄