In a long post earlier this month, I presented some of my favourite nominees for the music video prize at the 30th Norwegian Short Film Festival. Now we have got a winner, and it is….
EGIL OLSEN with “singer songwriter”.
The jury says:
“”the award goes to a music video that is simple and sophisticated at the same time. music and picture goes side by side telling a deliberate little story where vulnerability and irony relay each other in a subtle way.”
Here’s the video:
[youtube r_D9qwRKxwM]
Egil Olsen is of course very happy with the prize, and tells us via email that he is currently making an animated cartoon-music video for his next single, “Wannabe”, due for release in August. He is also completing the recordings for his new album “I am a singer/songwriter” that will be released in October, and the cover-artwork is also his own product. Did I say that I’m a fan of his artwork? Very nice…
I am really happy with the decision of giving the prize to Egil Olsen too, both because I like the simple and nice video, but also because I have deep respect for the artist. He may not be the greatest singer-songwriter in the world, but he is a very untraditional artist who dares to do things his own way and continues to do things his own way no matter what people are saying. I really liked his music in Uncle’s institution, except his latest album, which I did not like that much… But these new songs released under his own name sounds very good, so I’m looking forward to the album.
One brave thing he has done lately is something more artists should do, in my opinion:
Some time after an album has been released, the sales stops (unless you are U2 or something). Why should the “commercially dead” album stay “dead”? Why not give it away? At least a giveaway has some promo-value. This is what Egil Olsen does on his website. His full backcatalogue is available for free download, even the albums. Isn’t that a nice thing to do?
Here’s the song from the video, “Singer/songwriter” as a free mp3 (from egilolsen.com):
Egil Olsen – Singer/songwriter
