Forza started in 2002 as a youth project at a reception center for asylum seekers in Bergen, Norway. The youngest member of the band was only ten years old and has literally grown up in the band. In the beginning they had to go to the local landfill to collect old automobile parts of which they could build homemade instruments.
Forza consists of Milad Qashqai, Rudi Bakken, Jaser Sayun, Ole Kristian Einarsen, Per Kristian Slåttli, Sebastian Uthaug and vocalist and lyricist Babak Ziai, that before he moved to Bergen came from Iran, via China and finally Bergen.
The music of Forza is as transnational as the members. Forza blends heavy Balkan rhythms with soft pop, and is equally inspired by 2 Pac Shakur as Central European gypsy music. The boys from Bergen are often lifted up as a Norwegian version of Asian Dub Foundation or Manu Chao. They state that their music is a result of their different backgrounds, and that they initially used their music as a way of communicating with each other at the refugee centre.
The music of Forza is as transnational as the members. Forza blends heavy Balkan rhythms with soft pop, and is equally inspired by 2 Pac Shakur as Central European gypsy music. The boys from Bergen are often lifted up as a Norwegian version of Asian Dub Foundation or Manu Chao. They state that their music is a result of their different backgrounds, and that they initially used their music as a way of communicating with each other at the refugee centre.
Forza has become a popular live band at the Norwegian music scene. Last year the band appeared at some of the major Norwegian festivals.
Forza played its largest audience to date when they supported Mark Knopfler in front of a crowd of 10,000 during the Norwegian Wood festival. In the autumn of 2010, their single Mr. King were playlisted at NRK P3 (Norwegian national broadcasting radio) for ten weeks, and in January 2011 they became nominated as this year's newcomer by NRK Radio.
Forza is characterized by vibrant rhythms, catchy and relevant texts. During a gypsy festival in southern France they sparked a spontaneous concert on the beach promenade, which lasted for ten hours. When police was called upon they too ended up dancing and singing along. That’s Forza In a Nutshell.
Forza has just released a new single, Snatch, for free downloading as a preview for their debut album due to be released 1st August this year.
Forza is characterized by vibrant rhythms, catchy and relevant texts. During a gypsy festival in southern France they sparked a spontaneous concert on the beach promenade, which lasted for ten hours. When police was called upon they too ended up dancing and singing along. That’s Forza In a Nutshell.
Forza has just released a new single, Snatch, for free downloading as a preview for their debut album due to be released 1st August this year.
The band plays Liverpool Sound City 2011, at Studio 2, Parr Street Studios – Saturday 21st May
Awesome.. I can'tt wait to see them live..
ReplyDeleteplayed a blinding set last night. check the photo galleries for pix :)
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