Misty Coast (Norway) – Brainchild (single)

Bergen-based band Misty Coast comprises Linn Frøkedal and Richard Myklebust who are also in The Megaphonic Thrift. If the name Frøkedal rings a bell that’s because Linn is the sister of Anne Lise, whose band has made waves in the UK over the past couple of years and with a big tour recently completed here.

I came across Misty Coast by chance at the last Øya Festival, in 2019. On what wasn’t exactly an illuminating afternoon they appeared out of nowhere to play one of the sets not only of the day in my view but of the entire event. Playing as a trio – I think drummer Kim Åge Furuhaug was with them that day – it helped that they were joined on stage half way through by Anne Lise on her famous golden Telecaster but they’d already won me over long before then with a performance that rocked a hell of a lot more than they’re given credit for.

And that’s the point about Misty Coast, it’s hard to nail their style exactly, it’s, well, misty. Theirs typically is a dreamy, slightly psychedelic, sometimes shoe-gazey sound, and this song seems to have been recorded in a way that suggests that sound is actually coming from the studio next door through a door someone left open. Meanwhile, any vocal comparison between Linn and Hope Sandoval wouldn’t be too far off the mark as far as I’m concerned.

But underpinning it is a robust rhythm section in which the percussion contribution is reminiscent of Ringo Starr’s recording style.

I’m sure you’ll like ‘Brainchild’ as I do but at the same time I hope we can see them play it live before too long as I can guarantee they’ll elevate it even further.

‘Brainchild’ is out now on Fysisk Format.

Find them on:

Website: https://mistycoast.no/