Hailing from Norway and living in Sweden, Rebekka Karijord offers a beautiful voice and an enchanting performance that makes an immediate impression, as anyone who saw her at the recent Crossing Border festival will no doubt concur. She has a somewhat haunting presence behind her piano – and, occasionally, harp – in her long flowing frock, with arms delicately flailing as she reaches for the top notes (much like the photo here).

Her new album We Become Ourselves (released on Control Freak Kitten Records), a follow up to her 2009 release The Noble Art of Letting Go, is a gorgeous mix of soaring vocals and tribal beats (‘Use My Body Whilst It’s Still Young’), with deep voices and harmonies from male voice choirs  (‘Save Yourself’). The album deals with matters of life – and being alive – and with the primal urges of protection and instinct, as well as her relationships with men, her desire to dispel all the limiting roles that come with gender and how it’s ok to show a little vulnerability once in a while  (‘Oh Brother’).

The songs were largely recorded in Stockholm with producer Tobias Froberg and during the making of the album a few video ‘teasers’ were filmed and shared with the world, one which we share with you here, along with a couple, more recent videos.

The Road To (by Jonnie Von Wallström)

You Make Me Real (video by Oskar Wrangö)

Use My Body While It’s Still Young

Karijord has put together a strong touring band who ensure the male voices on the album are brought to life in the live performances. Another aspect that almost comes alive during the band’s set is the songstress’s outfit: a beautiful, visual concept designed by Anna Heymowska based around a bespoke piece of clothing that is also an instrument (incorporating hand chimes and real beetle wings). And in the album artwork, there is an organ that comes alive visually as it morphs into tree (see here). The organ as a metaphor for the human heart, with all its pipes and cables as a breathing mechanism, was an idea of Karijord’s that artist Gustaf Von Arbin made into a reality. Apparently, the organ is now stored now in a barn outside Stockholm and, who knows, maybe it will join the tour when the band takes to the road next year!

Rebekka Karijord will play Eurosonic Festival in Groningen in January 2013.

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We Become Ourselves – Released 29 October 2012: