Susanna and the Magical Orchestra

Susanna and the Magical Orchestra are actually the Norwegian duo of singer Susanna Wallumrød and keyboardist Morten Qvenild. The pair began performing together in Norway in 2000, featuring a unique blend of atmospheric jazz, rock, and electronica. A couple of their tracks appeared on Rune Grammofon's elaborate book and CD sampler Money Will Ruin Everything in 2003. The duo's highly praised full-length debut, List of Lights and Buoys, appeared from Rune Grammofon in 2004. The album was produced by Deathprod (Helge Sten), and Andreas Mjos (like Qvenild, a veteran of the group Jaga Jazzist) was drafted in to help flesh out the sound. An atmospheric masterpiece of arctic soul, List of Lights and Buoys featured deconstructed and reassembled covers of Dolly Parton's' "Jolene" and Leonard Bernstein's "Who Am I," and drew rave reviews from critics. The much anticipated follow-up release, Melody Mountain, an all-covers affair with versions of Prince, AC/DC, Leonard Cohen, and Bob Dylan songs, appeared from Rune Grammofon in 2006. Susanna and the Magical Orchestra's album 3 arrived in 2009, featuring work by Wildbirds & Peacedrums' Mariam Wallentin and Susanna's brother, drummer Fredrik Wallumrød.