The band plays rock the old-fashioned way, with a wide stance, loud vocals, and driving energy from the first screeching guitar riff. The music is heavy and distinctive, with elements from psychedelia, funk, rock, and techno. We understand that Woo means business when they take the stage in tank tops, hair covering their faces, and sky-high guitar playing.
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Woo imponerte
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Woo impressed But the guys are nice, and we had a chat after a concert that received great applause and even got some head-banging going.
What happened in the aftermath of Zoom?
- When we won Zoom in Bergen, we were sent out as one of two bands on tour and got to play a lot for a larger audience, says guitarist and songwriter Geir Sætre. - Afterwards, a CD was released with the eight best bands. While we wait for a record deal, this is a good start. Our name, Woo, by the way, means to strive for fame, he adds.
Vocalist Stig Sandbakke says that the band has been playing together for 5-6 years with the current lineup. The goal is to create innovative rock'n'roll with an electric twist.
How does a band like Woo work while waiting for fame?
- Playing in a band is very hard work, and we play as much as we can, says Geir Sætre. - We enjoy playing and we enjoy making music. We draw inspiration from many different bands, but we are not a heavy band in the traditional sense. For example, we listen to a lot of techno and funk, and also classical music, so our goal is to create a distinctive soundscape.
What are your future plans?
- We are going on a bigger tour this fall, says Stig Sandbakke. - We will tour Sørlandet with stops in Stavanger, Ålesund, and Kristiansand and maybe also Oslo.
The band also received financial support from the Cultural Council, which they claim was due to an unusually convincing application, and a recommendation.
- And then we are planning to release an album soon.
What does Norwegian Wood mean for you?
- First and foremost, it's a stepping stone, and we've worked a long time to be able to play at places like this, says bassist Audun Havåg.
- If we do well here, it can definitely mean a lot later. In Bergen, we've played so much that we can be called local heroes, but it's important for us to introduce ourselves to the Oslo audience.
- VWe are a critical band, and concerned about what people think of our music, but it is important for us to continue with what we are doing today and have the freedom to make our own decisions, says Geir Sætre.
- It's important to be open to suggestions and not become too narrow-minded. Although we are conscious of what we are doing, we also know what people want. We take our time to create good things, let them mature, and don?t rush. We like to do our things our way, and we don?t have much sympathy for a lot of the negative things happening in the music industry, he concludes.