Fribo (Meaning “Open House”) is a unique collaboration between Norwegian singer Anne Sofie Linge Valdal, Scottish fiddler Hannah Read, Swedsih percussionist Magnus Lundmark and English born Ewan MacPherson on guitar. Described by Celtic Connections Festival as“…one of the freshest and most inventive acts on the emerging 'Nu-Nordic' scene, exploring and creating links between British and Scandinavian traditions, with a deft peppering of wider contemporary influences.”
After first playing around an old Edinburgh kitchen table in 2003, Fribo have become experts in finding subtle ways of exchanging traditions whilst expressing them anew; with an exuberant feel for contemporary sounds and rhythms.
Fribo’s sound is now being widely noticed, the band has been picked up and regularly played by BBC Radio 3 programme ‘Late Junction’ and radio Scotland’s ‘Global Gathering’, not to mention Norway’s number one radio station NRK. Their debut album was one of Music News Scotland's Top 4 Albums of the Month (What's Hot!) in June and was also voted no 9 in the May fRoots World/Roots Music Chart.
The band has been featured artist and can be heard regularly on many radio stations worldwide including: BBC Radio Scotland and Radio 3, ABC Australia, Radio Nan Gaidheal and the World Sevice.
Today after honing their musical explorations through five years’ touring experience and a very well received debut album, Fribo is rapidly gaining recognition and acclaim. The graceful blending of Voices, Willow Flute, Fiddle, Jews Harp and Guitar has become a “...zestful, vibrant, multi-national North Sea sound.” Womad
To further widen the band’s sound-scape Fribo now work with Swedish percussionist Magnus Lundmark.
To date Fribo have toured in the UK, America, Norway, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and Ireland. Performing at large-scale events such as: Womad, Celtic Connections, APAP, FolkBaltica, Telemark Festival, Gosport & Fareham, Oxford Folk Festival, Vancouver Island, Vancouver and Calgary Folk Music Festival, Nordlys, Korrö and Blàs.
Look out for the band’s second CD, “HAPP”, due out in 2010.
Fribo are represented by Stoneyport, Scotland’s premier roots music agency.
"They are FABULOUS!!!"
Genevieve Tudor - BBC Radio Shropshire
“Fribo have emerged with a sound that’s entirely their own, a hybrid where all the parts create equal tension. What can seem low-key is subtlety, a less is more ethos that works beautifully. Welcome Fribo to the world of folk”
Sing Out!
"...music with a refreshing tang and a keen edge." Living Tradition
“…What immediately strikes you is the freshness and zest
emanating from the trio." Rock n’ Reel ****
“Fribo is for me one of the discoveries of the year” New Folk Sounds
"There are a growing number of groups covering the sort of material which Fribo perform. But I’ve yet to hear anyone with the variety and finesse of this young trio... Above all it’s an album that’s brilliantly produced fun, moving, engaging, adventurous and a sheer delight from start to finish..."
Songlines ****
http://www.fribo.co.uk/index.htm
http://www.myspace.com/fribo
