Birgitte Damberg is one of Norway´s most distinctive songwriters and vocalists. Leading her own trio, she has carved out a musical expression that has thrilled audiences and critics for more than 20 years. She has several releases of her own material behind her, most recently the album “Midtveis” from 2022.

Now she is working on new material, this time in collaboration with her husband, producer and arranger Åsmund Reistad, and poet Easterine Kire. The album “What If” will be released in October, but she is already ready with the first single, “Will tomorrow ever come”.

For the first time, Damberg is writing music to lyrics by others.

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Easterine Kire lives in Norway, but is originally from Nagaland in northeastern India. She is an award-winning poet and author who has published poems, short stories, novels and children’s books.

“Easterine Kire and I got in touch after she happened to hearmy music on the internet. She was very excited about my songs, and we agreed to do a project together. We literally found a good tone, and the collaboration has developed into a close and beautiful friendship. The lyrics to ‘Will Tomorrow Ever Come’ are composed of three of Kire’s poems. She gave me free rein to cut and paste her lyrics, so I went wild,” says Damberg.

“When I started reading Kire’s poems, they hit me right in the-heart. She has a way of seeing the world and people that is unadorned and honest. We are two women with different geographical, cultural and personal backgrounds. Yet it is fascinating how similar we see the world and interpersonal relationships,” she described her connection with Kire.

She said the lyrics have a “lovely plot” with a type of philosophical consideration that is repeated in several songs.

The music is set in a pop landscape, and despite changing time signatures, has a catchy and groovy expression. The soundscape is built around Damberg’s characteristic voice, and consists of keyboards, guitars, bass, percussion and choir, all recorded by Reistad in his studio. Jørund Fluge Samuelsen has mixed the song and also contributes percussion.

The single “Will tomorrow ever come” is scheduled to be released on August 1 and is the first taste of Damberg, Reistad and Kire’s upcoming album.

Artists collab:

Birgitte Damberg – vocals, composition and text editing

Åsmund Reistad – guitars, bass, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals

Easterine Kire – lyrics

Guest musician: Jørund Fluge Samuelsen – percussion