Flunk - SKL RMX (Beatservice Records)

Eskild Trulsen - also known as SKL - has been in the fringes of Oslo's electronic music scene for decades. He’s a long time collaborator with Flunk, remixing the band for fun and friendship since their earliest days. And the fun continues, as SKL unveils four evocative new remixes of Flunk favorites.

The first tune getting the SKL treatment is “Queen Of The Underground,” and the Norwegian producer delivers a deliciously moody version that’s both sexy and ominous. Its driving mid-tempo Italo-throb perfectly compliments Anja’s lovely vocals. This remix fittingly appeared at New York Fashion Week but is only now getting an official release. SKL’s version of “Lost Causes” is next, shimmering, sleek, and ready for the coolest of late night dance floors. “Love and Halogen” gets an atmospheric remix, filled with sonic layers that build and peel away to reveal the beauty of Flunk’s song. Then SKL adds an old school touch to “Subway,” applying drum machine breakbeats, synth bass, and bouncing pads in a manner that recalls classic Pet Shop Boys. Both SKL and Flunk shine on this EP, and it’s not to be missed.

MadameFLY (mmRadio) – “Very welcome remix work for long time fans of Flunk … deep and delicate.”
Kosta (Vibe FM) – “Top Shelf. Love the moodiness. Sexy tracks!”
Ulysses (Neurotic Drum Band) – “Nicely done.”
Bruno From Ibiza (Ibiza Global Radio) – “What great remixes!”
Chrissy (Smart Bar) – “This is dope.”
Andreas Kinzi (Aromabar) – “Otherworldly combination. Well done.”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel, Sydney) – “Beautiful and moody music right through. I’m leaning towards Subway for dj’ing but enjoying all of them.”
Snooba (Radio Panik) – “Great dark wave vibes.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT Radio Show) – “A lovely collection. Some beautiful moments, and some hypnotic retro production too. Smashing!”
Nedj (The Electronic Underground) – “What a delicious voice! The remixes add that little edge to elevate them on to our horizon.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Beatport, Apple Music, And Spotify.

Flunk - Blue Monday 2014 (Beatservice Records)

Norwegian label Beatservice is pleased to present Blue Monday 2014, the sequel to Flunk's debut “Blue Monday” single released over a decade ago. Flunk is an Oslo-born electronic band formed by producer Ulf Nygaard, guitarist Jo Bakke, drummer Erik Ruud, and vocalist Anja Oyen Vister. Their 2002 album For Sleepyheads Only was widely popular and its waves clearly still resonate today. In fact, last autumn Nygaard received separate requests from two German labels requesting to remix the Flunk version of “Blue Monday.” As the label has mostly featured Norwegian remixers and artists in the past, this single with the German outsiders’ new takes creates a special release for Beatservice … one that also includes an updated version of the original by Flunk themselves.

Representing the Klang Gymnastik label from Freiburg, Germany, Marcapasos & Janosh's remix opens the release. Bringing the cover full circle, the two return Flunk's downtempo electronica back to the new wave synth pop styling of New Order with a rolling bass line and pumping kick breathing new life into it for the modern club. Gernot Lange takes a slightly moodier approach on his remix for Colortape from Freiburg. He also speeds things up in a mid tempo house number with a percussion led groove underlined by full bodied, deep sub bass - while the original’s guitar work makes it prime balearic material. As a special treat, Ulf and the Flunk crew have provided a 2014 Mix, glossing over its precursor with only the lightest of necessary touches.

Tensnake - “‘Blue Monday’ was always a fave – the original and the Flunk version, too. Happy to have this.”
Gavin Hardkiss (Hawke) - “Bravo!”
Vanilla Ace - “Nice remix by Gernot Lange.”
Chris Fortier - “Well done!”
Chris Coco (Melodica) - “Lovely to hear this again …”
Nick Holder - “This is dope!”
Michael Reinboth (Compost Records) - “Nice cover version … I like it!”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “I like this quirky take on this … real funky and fresh.”
Sam Hopkins (AccuRadio, Chicago) - “This is a beautiful cover, and the Gemot Lange mix is crazy-good!”
Velanche (Velanche’s Playtime Radio Show) - “The mixes are pretty solid and all do New Order good.”
Pepe Link (insel radio / Cappuccino) - “A balearic hit for the summer.”

Available now from Beatport and Amazon.

Flunk - Queen Of The Underground Remixes (Beatservice Records)

In April 2013, Flunk - often referred to as ‘Norway’s best kept secret’ - are back with their fifth studio album for the Beatservice label, Lost Causes. “Queen Of The Underground” is the opening track and first single off the album. Unveiled on the band’s China tour last autumn, the cut is emblematic of Flunk’s sound showcasing Anja’s gorgeous but understated vocals accompanying the band’s melodic precision and affecting songsmith. This single features three remixes of “Queen Of The Underground” by a trio of top notch Norwegian producers who lead the track, and Flunk, along new sonic pathways. Athome Project (Stereo Deluxe) presents an enticingly moody version with a subtle African influence, thanks to its funky, intricate broken beat drum pattern. The vocals and guitars lay on top of a bouncy, staccato bass line as effects and atmospheres deliciously swirl about. The next reworking is courtesy of Syntax Erik, who was part of prolific deep house duo Kyd & Kango. Melodic synth arpeggiations and a pulsing bass line characterize this mix, as a steady four-on-the-floor points the way to more discerning late night dance floors. Rising producer Kohib is next, coming off his brilliant Solar Day and Tirakan EPs from 2012, and continues his trajectory with a bold revision of “Queen Of The Underground.” Steadily grooving at 90 BPM, Kohib’s remix is filled with the icy synth-play and exotic textures that he’s known for as well as some particularly spooky electronic processing of Anja’s vocal track. These three very different interpretations of Flunk will certainly intrigue DJs, dance floors, and listeners alike.

Nick Warren - “Lovely to have Flunk back. These are three great remixes.”
Chris Coco - “I’ve always loved Anja’s voice. The Athome Project version is great.”
Gavin Hardkiss (Hawke) - “The Athome Project remix is super and very original.”
DJ Rocca (Ajello) - “The Kohib remix is great.”
Sean Johnston (Hardway Bros / Love From Outer Space) - “Excellent! In the game this weekend.”
Stereo 77 - “The Kohib and Syntax Eric remixes do it for me.”
Jarle Bråthen (Full Pupp) - “Good stuff as expected! Syntax Erik nailed the remix.”
Leri Ahel (Cosmic Disco Radio Show) - “Kohib always delivers. Love his remix.”
Discomendments - “A very diverse package of mixes that all do justice to a well crafted song.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) - “A sublime groove that seriously kicks the soul .”
Clive Craske (Radio Reverb) - “The Athome Project remix has great drum work and concentrates of getting ‘under your skin’ vocal-wise. My favorite cut. Syntax Erik provide a mellow house rerub with a touch of funk, like dark chocolate with tiny ginger pieces embedded. Kohib provides a fantastic panning intro before going for a mercurial oceanic vibe that gradually begins to swing. It morphs many times in exciting and interesting ways … a work of great beauty.”
Milton Welch (Soul Reflector Blog) - “Kohib is the favorite for managing to bring out a unique edge of the track that benefits from heavy bass and effect-laden production.”

Available now from Juno Download and Beatport.

Flunk: The Songs We Sing - Best of 2002-2012 (Beatservice Records)

As of April 2012, Norwegian ‘folktronica’ band Flunk are celebrating the ten year anniversary of the release of their acclaimed debut album For Sleepyheads Only. The band’s career has blossomed since those beginnings, with numerous singles, follow-up albums, and live performances worldwide. Before moving to their next step, Flunk has chosen to commemorate this decade-long achievement with The Songs We Sing - Best Of 2002-2012, a collection that not only gathers sixteen highlights from the band’s career but also pairs this with twelve excellent remixes of their original tracks.

Flunk consists of Anja Øyen Vister (vocals), Jo Bakke (guitar) and Ulf Nygaard (electronics), along with associated member Erik Ruud (drums). Their debut album is still one of the biggest releases on their Norwegian label Beatservice Records. For Sleepyheads Only was propelled by a downbeat cover of New Order’s “Blue Monday” (championed by the late, great John Peel) and a licensing deal with beloved US house and electronica label Guidance Records. Its trip-hop beats and gentle guitar melodies merged with Anja’s lovely vocals captured the ears of fans all over the globe. Subsequent albums by the band explored moodier and more experimental sounds while maintaining their melodic, bittersweet pop vibe. Film, television, and advertisements came calling, as did the country of China which saw a rare Flunk tour just last year.

On The Songs We Sing, highlights from all of Flunk’s albums are collected, including big hits like “Blue Monday” and “Play,” download-only rarities like “On The Balcony” and “Common Sense,” and live favorites like “Sit Down.” The bonus disc features a varied assortment of remixes of Flunk’s favorite tracks, produced mainly by Norwegian electronic artists. Rising Beatservice artists like Rune Lindbæk and Kohib are here with appropriately spacey versions, and British electronic dream-pop band Blue States make an appearance with their gorgeous remix of “Blue Monday.” Twelve remixes make up the second half in all, ranging from housier doings to more experimental electronica excursions. It’s a fine complement to Flunk’s original recordings, showing the permeance of their songwriting and how their melodies enhance differing interpretations.

But the story doesn’t end there. Flunk is in the studio working with their next album, planned for release winter/spring 2013. To be continued …

All Good Funk Alliance - “Nice funkin’ late night grooves to get the lounge popping!”
Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - “Yes! Very groovy.”
Recloose - “Nice mix of music, all tasty.”
Chris Coco (Melodica) - “Yes, good stuff. ‘Blue Monday’ takes me back.”
Gareth Richardson (RTM FM, Australia) - “The Rune Lindbaek kicks some serious space disco ass.”
Flash Atkins (Paper Recordings) - “Fantastico package! Tunege for every occasion!”
Hardway Bros - “Thoroughly excellent!”
Mark Reynolds (Just Chillin Radio Show) - “What a wonderful journey these tracks take you on! Can’t get enough of the ‘Blue Monday’ cover.”
TJ Norris (Igloo Magazine) - “This is an honest snapshot of a decade of interesting funky Flunk. The mixes bring another dimension to the originals.”
Tyler Withrow (KCSC Radio) - “Super sick release. I love the electronic and psychedelic feel this album has. Reminds me of getting lost deep within Coachella!”
Velanche (Urban Landscapes) - “I like the different styles of the mixes. Easy on the ears as well as warm in the soul. Really nice.”

Also supported by Gavin Hardkiss, Sleazy McQueen, Makossa & Megablast, James Flavour (Dirt Crew), Toby Tobias, Djuma Soundsystem, Soft Rocks, 6th Borough Project, and Roual Galloway.

Available now on Juno Download