Music to lyrics by Inger Hagerup; a seriously playful family album!

Seriously playful and playfully serious, Nina and the Butterfly Fish have done a metamorphosis into a Norwegian-language trio playing to kids’ sensibilities: Nina & Sommerfuglfiskene. Crafting songs as if from Lego bricks with the instructions thrown away; brightly-coloured, surprisingly shaped, adventurous and fragile – but locking together perfectly at every turn. It’s complex and surprising yet always accessible, bright, welcoming and – above all – fun. The release’s colorful visual identity is drawn by Anette Moi, and is full of fun details inspired by Inger Hagerup’s fabulous literary world. The members’ background as jazz musicians adds improvisation and alternative playing techniques to the music.Krokodilleruerfantegøyer contains texts from the Norwegian children’s poetry collections “Så Rart” (1950), “Lille Persille” (1961) and “Jeg gikk meg vill i skogene” (1939). Inger Hagerup’s children’s poems are still known by heart by every Norwegian child and an English translations of her poetry such as “Little Parsley” exist. Krokodilleruerfantegøyer is available digitally, LP Gatefold with CD and CD Digisleeve. In 2016, Nina & Sommerfuglfiskene entered into a collaboration with “The Cultural Backpack” in Rogaland to produce a children’s concert with lyrics by Inger Hagerup. The result was a concert performance that has toured for several year, performing over three hundred school and festival concerts to date. Press...

Nutshell 2015 review (AllAboutJazz)

«Nina and the Butterfly Fish’s idiom of kaleidoscopic colors, beautifully distilled, spoke directly to feet and heart and won converts from the first to the last infectious notes of an engaging set.» (AllAboutJazz)   Nina and the Butterfly Fish @ Nutshell 2015 It was a short drive from the Kabuso to the Hardanger Fartoyvernsenter (wooden boat preservation centre) where a hearty fish soup was followed by the second showcase -Nina and the Butterfly Fish. The venue was an old ferry boat, typical of those that linked the island and fjord districts to the roads in the first half of the twentieth century, in the days before the mighty tunnels burrowed routes through the mountains. With her fiery mane of red hair and commanding presence, singer/guitarist Nina Kristine Linge cut a dashing figure—like a punkish Joni Mitchell. Dan Peter Sundland—having also made the short journey from Kobus—ploughed funky bass furrows while drummer Hans Hulbaekmo kept infectious, in-the-pocket-grooves. The trio fairly ripped on “Don’t Let Go” and “Come on Sweetheart,” with Linge’s caressing lyricism, punchy poetry and soaring exclamations making a potent brew. From rootsy folk-pop to danceable rhythms and subtly bluesy rock grooves, the trio’s ability to shift gears suddenly and transform a tune’s vibe was notable. Though Linge’s vocals were a focal point, her peppery guitar punctuations significantly colored the music, infusing the slow-medium tempo tune “What the World Needs” with a seductive West African gait. Southern African bass rhythms underpinned the final number, a jaunty ode to the essence of love. Nina and the Butterfly Fish’s idiom of kaleidoscopic colors, beautifully distilled, spoke directly to feet and heart and won converts...

Album Review from Dagsavisen

“The fabulous trio Nina & The Butterfly Fish is named after the main character Nina Linge, an avid composer, guitarist and singer with a reckless frenzy energy and expression which is an experience both to see and hear. Instead of spending time categorizing the songs, rather enjoy the incredible diversity, time signature changes and arrangements through a strong material  … Whether it’s jazz, pop, indie or almost reggae, who cares? It is rare to experience such unrestrained joy of playing, I think before my superlatives pile up and stalls about this ensemble of brilliant and boundless performers that inflicts you sheer happiness”.  Album Review from Dagsavisen. December 21,...

Review from Jazz Special Online

“The big surprise of this listener, however, was the group Butterfly Fish with Nina Kristine Linge’s red hair and guitar in front. There were both inspirations from African high-life, rumba, Norwegian folk music and other treats. Super charming, unpretentious, and musicians with solid skills. Also Dan Peter Sundland, who sang along with his bass solo, was remarkable. They are sure to be seen at venues to come”. Review from Jazz Special Online, September 30, 2013. Photo: © Cim Meyer Cim Meyer, editor of Danish Jazz Special, mentioned Nina Kristine Linge and Dan Peter Sundland as two of this year’s newcomers in “Jazznytt”...