Kirkelig Kulturverksted - Kirkelig Kulturverksted // Varige Spor

A collection of songs for the company’s first 25 years 

What was Kari Bremnes doing among deeply religious buddhists in Japan? Why did Kirkelig Kulturverksted need a subsidiary company in Tanzania? Why must Sondre Bratland sing Hank Williams at funerals? How was Kirkelig Kulturverksted caught lying by the Norwegian press? What does Sigurd Jorsalfar have in common with Carola? And how is Kirkelig Kulturverksted pronounced in French…..Coq au vin?

The answers may be found on “Harp and Pistol”, Tomm Kristiansen’s 25 stories about Kirkelig Kulturverksted, which were released together with 36 sound tracks in connection with KKV’s 25-year-anniversary on 5 ^th November 1999.

Kirkelig Kulturverksted, has for 25 years been a musical volley in barren lands. This rich CD collection, which carries the exorbitant title “Varige Spor” (Lasting Tracks), is a salute to themselves. The release includes, in addition to Kristiansen’s anecdotes, a chronological list of all productions to date, custom made prints by Trine Lindheim and photos from 6 art projects that KKV has been responsible for.

Kirkelig Kulturverksted, which today is Norway’s oldest and biggest independent record company, has since the beginning in 1974 released 236 LP’s and CD’s, distributed to 25 territories, made recordings in 20 countries, contracted 112 artists (of which 42 made their debut), sold more than 2,500,000 records, decorated 50 chapels and church rooms, designed approx. 500 church textiles and cooperated with some 30 pictorial artists.

Among the famous artists that have manifested themselves through Kirkelig Kulturverksted are: Bjørn Eidsvåg, Erik Bye, Skruk (Per Oddvar Hildre), Arne Domnéreus, Sigvart Dagsland, Iver Kleive, Kari Bremnes, Sondre Bratland, Ketil Bjørnstad, Knut Reiersrud, Ole Paus, Katia Cardenal, Carola, Gunnar Torvund, Rigmor Bové, Ole Lislerud, Tor Lindrupsen and Terje Hope.