Ex Norwegian

We're a professional independent rock group with many years experience on stage and in studio - not weekend warriors. We can offer a variety of different sets and line-ups for your occasion. From an intimate acoustic duo or with rhythm section backing tracks to a full 5-6 piece rock band. Choose your preference of material: from a dynamic selection of covers (primarily 60s-90s rock/pop/country) to our own original songs. Our emphasis is on entertaining the crowd, sounding & looking good while offering something different that your run of the mill rock outfit.

An adventurous indie rock band with psych and powerpop overtones from Miami Beach are an unlikely bunch to be named after a Monty Python sketch, yet the manifold Ex Norwegian indeed are. Their expansive ensemble’s effortlessly catchy songs span across a constant stream of DIY releases via various indie labels. Their large catalogue is due to the prolific songwriting of mainstay Roger Houdaille, who, influenced by the music of the 60s & 70s, incorporates a wide range of styles in his writing – from retro slacker garage jams, to quirky, deconstructive pop songs. Always gaining enthusiastic critical praise, they have yet remained somewhat elusive to the mainstream indie scene.

Launching at the 2008 CMJ Festival in NYC, the band was an instant buzz with their first single “Something Unreal” and debut album Standby, which was described as “...an incredibly eclectic mix of powerpop, shoegaze, indie rock, and even hints of stoner rock” by Dan Goldin of Exploding in Sound. The original power trio of Roger Houdaille, Nina Souto & Arturo Garcia split after the second record Sketch was released in early 2011, but by end of the year, Roger reassembled the band with original vocalist Michelle Grand and Brazilian guitarist Lucas Queiroz. This led to a third album House Music (2012), which featured guest drummer Eric Hernandez (of Wrong). Shorty after, bassist Giuseppe Rodriguez was also recruited - just in time for a brief US tour. The 2013 follow up Crack began their association with the South Florida record label Limited Fanfare, but tensions within the group led to a radical shift as evident on 2014’s ambitious Wasted Lines. Recorded in L.A. with producer Fernando Perdomo (Linda Perhacs, Cait Brennan), the albums surprise collaboration between the two old friends and guest lead vocalist Lucia Perez may have been too much of a departure for long time loyal fans, but still managed to attract new listeners. Things reverted in 2015 when the group returned to its roots with a surprise and unplanned album, Pure Gold.

Since then, the group has once again toured the States, made several media appearances and released 2 well received original albums in addition to a double-album of cover songs in the summer of 2017. The flexible line-up now includes a solo/duo performance set (with or without backing tracks) up to a full 6 piece band sets, and an eclectic fun mix of covers and originals.

“Ex Norwegian is easily one of the best pop bands of all time…” -babysue

We can provide a small but powerful PA system, as well as our own stage gear and instruments. Any lighting or staging would have to be discussed and factored into the production cost.