Billy Meier
SOUNDS FROM ERRA
Billy meier’s first album on øra Fonogram.
release: february 22. 2019.
What is the sound of another universe, a different planet, mysterious creatures, magical nature and bizarre animals? Billy Meier want to give their listeners an insight on their fantasy world and if possible, answer some of these questions with their second album Sounds From Erra. The album is put together as a journey from Earth, to planet Erra and back again. It’s a musical story of the life on, and around Erra. The music portrays different events and situations, creatures and rituals, animals and nature on this mysterious planet. Some of the tracks are dedicated to the extraterrestrial people “the Plejaren” and, as on Billy Meier’s debut album, the band has composed a tune that portrays the emotional life of the female character Semjase. The band see planet Erra as a romantic place with strong colors and wild nature, futuristic cities and magical forests.
“For this album we wanted to give the listeners a glimpse of where we find the inspiration for our music; our fictional universe. We’ve put together the album as a journey and chose a narrator to guide the listeners through this adventure. We think this clarifies the concept and holds the album together, without explaining everything that happens in the music. When that’s said, we must admit that we are huge fans of David Attenborough’s characteristic style of narration in BBC’s nature documentaries.” - Billy Meier
The music is inspired by the 60s space rock, such as Joe Meek’s album “I Hear A New World” with a similar concept. It is also inspired by the psychedelic culture, New Wave, late 60s Coltrane and Norwegian folk music. Some of the improvisations has a rural feel, but Billy Meier also want the futuristic and urban to have a solid place in their sound. The band call their music space jazz, and just like their debut album from 2017, the music is based on the theories and life of the Swiss citizen Eduard Albert “Billy” Meier, who claims to be in contact with extraterrestrial beings. He also claims to have visited planet Erra.
Billy Meier is often compared with bands such as DEVO and The Residents, because of their extraterrestrial concept and visual profile. Using disco ball helmets and gold pants, surrounded by inflatable green aliens on stage, Billy Meier’s live show is a colorful experience. The Oslo based band was established around five years ago and have already played some of the biggest jazz festivals in their home country. Billy Meier consists of highly progressive musicians with various musical background in the Norwegian jazz-, improv,- pop,- and folk scene. The band members are involved in projects like Frode Haltli Avant Folk, Miman, Lilja, Matona’s Afdahl Group, Samū, Friendship, Sanskriti Shrestha Avatar and more.
Musicians:
Hans Kjorstad - violin
Martin Morland - bass
Sander Eriksen Nordahl - guitar
Henriette Eilertsen - flutes, synthesizer
Ivar Myrset Asheim - drums, sample pad
“Det diktes og drømmes for lite i dagens virkelighetsorienterte kultur. Dette gjør det besnærende bandet Billy Meier noe med”
“Billy Meier spanderer tur til planeten Erra. Det låter raffinert og stilfullt og er lett å bli med på”
“Billy Meier just began their journey and have tracked a promising course. It is about time to set their controls to the heart of hyperspace.”
PRODUCTION // OF 142
Recorded by Magnus Skavhaug Nergaard at Flerbruket (Hemnes, NO) February 2018
Mixed by Dag Erik Johansen at Athletic Sound, Halden
Mastered by Karl Klaseie at Øra Mastering (NO)
Cover art and design by Synne Amanda Salvesen
All music by Billy Meier, except track 3, 6, 7, 9 10 and 13 by Ivar Myrset Asheim,
track 1 by Henriette Hvidsten Eilertsen and track 2 by Martin Morland and
That beautiful voice belongs to Emily C. Brannigan