25th of August 2015
After the release of "Running with the wolves" EP, it was time for Aurora to release singles towards the upcoming album. During 2015 she spent a lot of time performing live, working in studio, do photoshoots and interviews.
A real highlight of 2015, was her invitation to play at the Nobel Peace Price Concert. If you somehow have managed to miss this one, I really urge you to watch the versions of "Half the world away", "Murder Song" and "Runaway" that she performed there. (^13.1)
"It is very great to perform at the Nobel Peace Prize concert. We have been following it from the living room at home for many years. It is an incredibly beautiful thing to be a part of" , says Aurora Aksnes. (^13.2)
In between two songs, she said:
"Thank you. Congratulations to the winners. They show us that there is light even though it can sometimes seem dark. I feel honored to be here. And a little scared". (^13.3)
Another great event - the 5th of May 2015 - she performed this song at the Nordic Media Festival - the most prominent media festival in the Nordic region. About 2000 delegates attend, representing the full spectrum of the industry. The festival welcomes about 100 globally renowned media professionals as speakers. (^13.4). Quite a boost for her fame, I guess.
I havent been able to figure out the circumstances of her writing this song, but as you can se in the clip above, it's been with her all the way from 2014. After playing at Baeble, she had this to say about the song:
"(It) is a bit tragic. It's a love story. And what's going on inside the womans and man's head is a secret." (^13.5)
A well hidden gem
This is from her concert at Melbourne Recital Center last year (actually on my birthday...). And just read the extract from the review she got:
31st of January 2017
Aurora Aksnes is positioned centre stage in front of this venue's backdrop of deep, dark wood, and she draws us into her forest of hypersensitive emotional energy. The captivating Norwegian looks like a fairytale pop princess and casts her spell over the audience with every vocal nuance that effortlessly leaps octaves with perfect pitch.
Aksnes is the true definition of her given name; a natural electrical phenomenon with colourful stories to share. She lets out a shy giggle and tells us she's been so excited to perform here and can't believe the show sold out. "I really like this room, it kind of makes us quiet. The world is chaos... beautiful chaos, but wonderful sometimes," she contemplates, before Through The Eyes Of A Child. We sit and listen, taking in the stillness of the moment during this magical, immersive experience of light and sound. "I talk like a baby," she says. Looking into the audience, Aksnes observes, "I see music in your eyes and so many smiles on your faces."
The applause doesn't stop until Aksnes returns for an encore without her band, taking a seat behind a keyboard to perform the chilling Murder Song (5, 4, 3, 2, 1). There are definitely tears shed in the audience, but also from Aksnes herself. "I have something in my eyes... Maybe it's water, maybe it's something else... probably the air-con!" she jokes.
The happy tears probably serve as a reminder for Aksnes as to why she tours; for moments such as this when she's able to move people to tears with her incredible gift (^21.1)
Sources
13.1 - Aurora at the Nobel Peace Price Concert: AURORA - Nobel Peace Prize Concert | 2015
13.2 - Bergensavisen snnounces her upcoming Peace Price Concert: https://www.ba.no/nyheter/a-ha-og-aurora-aksnes-til-nobels-fredspriskonsert/s/5-8-183129
13.3 - Nobel Peace Price Concert review: https://www.klikk.no/side2/underholdning/pa-twitter---aerlig-talt-morten---du-kunne-ha-kosta-pa-deg-ei-penskjorte-til-nobelkonserten-4565225
13.4 - The Nordic Media Festival 2015: https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV13Y4y1r7ma/
13.5 - Beable talks to Aurora: Baeble Talks to Aurora, our new obsession.