Wonderland Premieres Video for Highasakite's 'Golden Ticket (Acoustic Version)'

Norway's Highasakite's release their superb Acoustic Versions EP on 2nd December via Propeller Recordings - with the four track release showcasing their undeniable pop sensibilities, whilst specifically highlighting Ingrid Helene Håvik's instantly recognisable, and immaculately presented vocal talents.

Stripped of the multi-layered synths on sophomore album Camp Echo - with a poignancy bereft of the dark and pummelling perplexities displayed on their usual output - Highasakite return to their more organic roots with the Acoustic Versions EP. Featuring sprawling arrangements from accomplished pianist and band member Marte Eberson - Bachelor of Jazz, The Grieg Academy (2007-2011), Sund Folkehøgskole (2006-2007) and Foss Videregående Skole (2003-2006) - alongside the signature vocal of Ingrid Helene Håvik, a graduate of Trondheim Jazz Conservatory in her own right.

Stream the EP in full here: https://soundcloud.com/propellerrecordings/sets/highasakite-acoustic-versions/s-lCfRz

Watch the new live video for 'Golden Ticket' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKycYcJ-MMQ&feature=youtu.be

A stark, spellbinding release - the four tracks encompass a broad spectrum of sound palettes. Sweeping piano turns and a gloriously high reaching vocal performance stand out on EP opener 'Samurai Swords'; elegantly swerving into the hushed beauty of the 'Golden Ticket' acoustic rendition - featuring Ingrid's sumptuous zither work in its rousing chorus. Highasakite's darker tendencies shine through on 'Since Last Wednesday' - with the EP culminating in a euphoric, otherworldly interpretation of 'Leaving No Traces' - once again presented with a backdrop of intricate piano work.

Recorded live from Propeller Studios in Oslo, all within a few hours, the EP calls on a selection of analogue equipment and pianos, including an Ed Seiler upright, tack piano, Bechstein Grand, pump-organ and zither.

"As Ingrid, Marte and I gathered in Propeller Music Division's main studio to record the EP, we started with a talk about what sound we should pursue," explains producer Kåre Christoffer Vestrheim. "It was clear that we all wanted something else other than a traditional, pure acoustic sound. We were up for experimentation."

"I wanted to add an extra dimension to the simple setup; an additional layer, so I picked out a few tape-echoes from our vault," he says. "After a bit of testing, we ended up using the Echoplex on the upright and grand piano, creating tails of sound to the accompaniment Marte was playing.

"It gave the tracks an extra rhythmic bounce that Marte was really good at utilising, and helped move the songs in different directions. When tracking, we used the Replicator Tape Echo on Ingrid's voice with pretty fast repeats controlling the feedback manually to create swells and distortion."

'Acoustic Versions' EP tracklisting:
1. Samurai Swords (Acoustic Version)
2. Golden Ticket (Acoustic Version)
3. Since Last Wednesday (Acoustic Version)
4. Leaving No Traces (Acoustic Version)

Highasakite have gone from strength-to-strength in 2016. Since release in May, 'Camp Echo' has surpassed 13 million streams on Spotify alone and motioned a busy live schedule, including main stage headlines at Norway's five biggest festivals, alongside international routing via Glastonbury, Latitude, Hurricane and Roskilde. The band recently embarked their biggest US Tour to date, before returning to the UK last week for their third SOLD OUT London headline since February at Heaven.

The year culminates in a top-billed performance at the 23rd Annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert on December 11. The event is televised to more than 100 countries, 300 million households and also streamed live on YouTube, with Highasakite joining the ranks of countless Nobel alumni including Paul McCartney, Elton John, Alicia Keys, Florence and the Machine and Rihanna.

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