2014 Schedule
Interactive: March 7–11  •  Film: March 7–15  •  Music: March 11–16

Alexander von Mehren

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Alexander von Mehren is a 29 year-old (b. 1984) pianist, songwriter and producer from Bergen, Norway. von Mehren's debut album, Aéropop, was recorded over a five-year period in his own studio, The Guestroom, mixed by John McEntire (Stereolab, Tortoise, The Sea and Cake) and von Mehren at Soma Electronic Music Studios in Chicago and mastered by Steve Rooke (The Beatles, David Bowie) at Abbey Road Studios in London.

Primarily influenced by French, British and Italian library music and soundtracks of the 60s and 70s, Aéropop exhibits an airy and organic soundscape through warmly orchestrated and meticulously structured arrangements and is focused on orchestrated alternative pop music sung in French and English in addition to instrumental tracks.

von Mehren plays most of the instruments on the album himself, including upright piano, Fender Rhodes, Moog, vibraphone, guitar, bass and drums. He's a classically trained pianist, but self-taught on other instruments and in other genres. Aéropop also features musical contributions from members of The High Llamas, Jaga Jazzist and Orwell in addition to an array of strings and brass performers. During the period of the album production, von Mehren also contributed as musician, producer and/or arranger for Sondre Lerche, Young Dreams, Chris Joss, Orwell, Le Futur Pompiste, O. Martin and Bobby Hughes Combination, among others.

Aéropop was released on 180-grams double vinyl, CD and digital download in August/September 2013 via The Control Group (North America), Rallye Label (Japan), Folkwit Records (United Kingdom), Klangkollektivet (Norway) and Aéropop Records (RoW), and the release has gained international attention, for instance at AllMusic («...an exquisitely crafted, richly arranged modern pop gem»), Other Music («...brings to mind Serge Gainsbourg at his deadliest»), Hype Machine («...one of the more special releases we've heard this year»), MTV Iggy, Rolling Stone, Filter Magazine, Stereogum, The Line of Best Fit, KCRW and Under the Radar.

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