24 November 2006

2nd review

Something like this: Volle is out of ideas, the format is stiff, uncreative repetetive, boring and politically correct.

If you read norwegian, you can catch it here.


That guy might have not been the right choice for a reviewer. A bit like asking a metalfan to review polka. Fakta's not for him, which is perfectly fine. Only problem is that this dude broadcasts it to a bunch of people.

Which is bad news for a really fine book out on an indie publisher with nada cash for advertising or promo.

Schtill, compare the two reviews this far. Fakta has always been a polarizing work, but this is hilarious.

I have a vague inkling that whenever this dude sees an amazing stunt in a movie, he immediately turns to his friend and shouts "You can't do that in real life! This movie sucks!"

22 November 2006

1st review



I'm flattered beyond belief.
Comix

What's up?



The Faktabook is out, in 152 pages of hardcover, UV-laquered, fullcolor factoid fun, with guest appearances by the creme de la creme of norwegian comix.


This book will be the staple upon which my generation shall be judged, in fact, not possessing this book will make you look rather stupid in distinguished company.

Man, it doesn't cost more than a CD either.

If you haven't gotten the book yet, you can get it here.

What else then?


Newest ish of Tusj is out. I contributed a fourpager which I told you about here earlier. The first installment in the many adventures of the great detective Roger Hitler.

In the magazine, Tor Ærlig still rules the crop, though artworkwise, the hamster is my favourite in this issue.I can't help it, I'm a sucker for for social-realist-propaganda pastiches.Check out more here. The Norwegian comix scene is growing at breakneck speed and following it is getting more entertaining by the second.



Balder Magazine is out, with Fakta as usual decorating the last page, but this time I got something inside the magazine too. Apart from a pretty entertaining interview, where I'm giving the lowdown on the new Fakta book, I have started a column. It's called Sivile Serier (Civilian Comics) and focuses on the graphical narrative for the emotionally mature reader. First article focuses on Alan Moore's newest opus: Lost Girls.



Anyway, here's the real news.

From new year on, I have a new strip comic premiering in Aftenposten. It's the one I showed a teaser from a coupla months ago. The comic is called I fremtiden (in the future) and it will run in Aftenposten for at least three months, as the guest strip. If it continues, is completely dependent on the readership SMS-voting it on. The premise for the strip is rather simple: I have stopped lying and finally started my work as a prophet. This one will start in Larson around february.




Also, observant readers have noticed that Rocky will change publishers from the new year. Fakta has been published regularily in Rocky the last two years. Fakta will not be homeless, though. It will make the leap to the brand-new M-magazine. Now this will be good, great even!



As an encore, the Bellona 20 year anthology is out, with me contributing a fourpager, where three blackmetal kids meet a representative of Exxon! The good folks at Serienett.no even called my entry 'angrier than Kverneland'. In my book, that's a great compliment.

21 November 2006

On a lighter note...


Another angle on Nazca, originally uploaded by mrjorgen.

My Friend Jørgen also took some pics at the Spasi show. Head on over to his Flickr account to check it out.

Sampo



I was forced again to use my old Sampo account due to a payment cock-up.

Man, I remember why I stopped using it. Years of horrifically rude treatment from barely coherent bank clerks spring to mind. Smelly, cramped premises, no airconditioning in july, fifty people waiting and two people in the stalls. At least eight empty stalls. 30 minutes minimum to wait to be able to deposit money. The Itäkeskus office looking exactly like Hakaniemi welfare office.Quotes from CEO's saying "We don't really need those small potato savings accounts" One of the most expensive bank accounts to have. Paying SAMPO 5 € a month for the privilege of having a bank account. If I want a monthly printout, I would have to pay 14€. But, for a 20€ fee, I can get a Viivi & Wagner motive on my bank card.

All this springs to mind, when the money I transferred to another bank account, needs 48 hours to get there.

So, here's a big FUCK YOU to you greedy fucks at Sampo. That account is history by tomorrow.

17 November 2006

Clearlake



This one is just so amazingly great! Just want to recommend this one to everyone. Very poppy, very dreamy, very very sad.

Jesus christ what music!

Standout track: Treat yourself with kindness

Thanks to Jon Ø for turning me on to this band.

15 November 2006

Post-project decompression




Came back from Oslo monday, got instantly knocked out with the flu. It always happens after the completion of some really big project. Like completing a book, having an art exhibition, arranging for the band to come to Norway and playing a concert... in the space of two weeks.

So, now to salvage the untrusty old economy. With a flu. Sehr gut.

13 November 2006

Spasi photo


nazca #1, originally uploaded by oospool.

My friend Carsten was present friday and did a fine job documenting the evening. Head on over to his Flickr-account to see more.

11 November 2006

Post-releaseparty release.

Woah, just woke up after the releaseparty last night. We had a blast! Thanks goes out to Spasibar, Jippi and everyone who showed up.

04 November 2006

Oh yeah....


Oslo, sweet Oschlo...

Finally had some time to write.
I touched down monday afternoon. My bro met me at the airport and we got off into town. My dad was at the railway station and we took off to eat in a Ethiopian place. Hot tip: if Ethiopians are eating there, it's a good sign. The food was excellent. We parted ways full of african goodness.

Me n my bro found the gallery and the excellent Lars Paalgaard took my paintings in for safekeeping. My old friend from Kokkola/Oslo Art Academy Ivan "parliament bomber" Johansson was hanging out, great to see him again.


Tuesday, eight sharp at the gallery, armed with an industrial size container of coffee. I expected four hours of measuring, calculating, drilling and messing it up. Mr. Paalgaard saw to it that I was proven wrong. I turned my back to make even more coffee. When I turned back, Lars had put up the paintings. I owe you a drink, buddy.

Only mishap was him falling off a ladder. Thank heavens the ladder broke and the man didn't.

I finished a flash animation as a companion piece to the paintings and left for a nap.

The opening was wonderful. As a happy coincidence, Sound of Mu had double booked. By the time the vernissage was tapering off, an experimental duo started their set: Fascinating stuff. I have never caught myself wondering how a vibrator on top of a drum, with a steel cup with a pingpongball inside of it sounds like. But if I had, I would become a wiser and happier person. Not saying I'm currently stupid and unhappy, mind you.

The splendid mr Nærum blessed us with his presence, as did my dear editor Vindenes, fellow comic artists Johansen, Hartberg and Kjølberg. I do remember Jørgen, Odd and Henning gracing the surroundings too.

Personal highlight of the evening: The legendary Mr.Falk showed up with an advance copy of the book. After three months of work it was amazing to finally hold the thing and see it as a real object, not just an Indesign-file on my screen.

All in all, a great eve was had, I headed back to my brothers place and fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.


Wednesday morning was spent at a publisher, dealing with an unpaid bill. I would like to thank the editor for being so smart, flexible and above all, a real mensch. You saved my hide there, toveri. It was arranged so that I could leave the place with cash in hand. Excellent!

Coming back from one meeting, I got to see how ordinary life at a large publishing house usually is. The whole staff was hanging out, drinking champagne and chilling. Man...

Then off to Håvard Johansen in his studio. Even bumped into the ever-brilliant Øystein Runde. Me and Håvard went off for Grafill discussions and he made a splendid filéed chicken. The evenings piece dé resistance was catching This Sect at club Maiden club. These guys are getting better batter bitter butter. I have a feeling next fridays concert will be a nice one.


Thursday started off with a meeting at Grafill. Me n Håvard showed up with molotovcocktails, bricks and torches in hand. After a coupla hours we went out quite optimistic about the future. We celebrated with some vietnamese food. Again, if vietnamese people are eating there...

After a coffee with my thirteen-years-and-counting-partner-in-crime Freddy Holm, I got back to my bro's place and fell asleep around 22, like a little old granny.


Friday kicked off with me at a hotel six in the morning. I was trying to get the keys to the Grafill apartment. The clerk couldn't find them and he had already searched through three boxes and made two phonecalls. I was mentally preparing to nurse a coffee and reading the papers until nine, when Grafill offices opened. No fun if you have a deadline.
Then a short guy with designer glasses jumped in, smacked some keys on the desk, yelled 'Grafill!' and leapt out again. Apparently the tenant before me. Problem solved.

I got to the pad, unpacked my gear and started drawing. Deadline killed.

Then Mr. Ærlig popped by. We are planning some very very nice things once all the dust has settled around the Faktabook. Great things even.

Tor left and I was out of commission for the rest of the eve. The first bit of privacy and solitude in over a week. Brilliant! Junkfood and teevee rules!

Now I'm off to Tranby. Be back on sunday. Cheers!