25th of November 2014.
I have really looked forward to share this one with you. This story is remarkable.
After signing contract with three major companies (Universal/Decca, Glassnote and Petroleum), Aurora and Made startet to make music that Aurora could recognize herself in. That's when they decided to make "Under Stars" as a teaser (^7.1}. Aurora said:
"This song is kind of 'heavy'. Everything is not supposed to sound like this one." (^7.2)
“It’s about us. About the people we’ve lost through time, and how we handle that loss. The guilt of still being alive when they are not, and the hope that they might only be sleeping, maybe still dreaming, under the stars.“ (^7.3)
The song was then released in an unconventional way; There was no marketing involved. It was mostly released by Made themselves with no help but in some of the creative parts (^7.1)
In the ears of Made, this song wasn't a typical radiosong, so beside booking more shows, they used bloggers to promote the song. I have found some statements from such (^7.1):
Josh Dalton:
"Stunning new music"Pigeons & Planes:
"Auroras latest single 'Under Stars' sounds like an intergalactic dream"Gold Flake Paint:
"Just a reminder that, despite it all, Aurora Aksnes has dropped one of the years brightest pop moments"
This promotion - alongside all her concerts - then made the foundation to be welcomed to play warm ups and smaller gigs in foreign countries. The plan has all along been to let Auroras fame and music grow organically (^7.1).
I do hope you find this as interesting as I do. If anything is wrong or missing, please write it in the comments below. There will be a couple of days to the next ones, as I need the weekend to do some more research.
Sources
7.1 - Ballade - Slik ble aurora til.
https://www.ballade.no/populaermusikk/slik-ble-aurora-til
7.2 - 730.no - Aurora - Next Norwegian superstar?
https://730.no/norges-neste-store-stjerne-730-traff-aurora-aksnes-18-i-bergen-%E2%99%A1
7.3 - Crackintheroad.com, EU premiere, Aurora
https://www.crackintheroad.com/music/30309-eu-premiere-aurora-stars
Song - YouTube, Under stars (Live Appletree 2015)
Aurora - Under Stars + Running with the Wolves (Live Appletree 2015)