In 2010, MIC Norsk musikkinformasjon (Music Information Norway) in collaboration with program director Guttorm Andreasen produced 8 programs in a webcast series called "99 Minutes". Now, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided support to produce 12 new programs in 2011.
/ 30/03/2011 / codexIn 2010, MIC Norwegian Music Information, in collaboration with host Guttorm Andreasen, produced 8 programs in a webcast series called “99 Minutes”. The goal was to create a unique, streamed online radio offering for foreigners and others who want to hear the very best Norwegian music, regardless of genre, time and place. Guttorm Andreasen plays everything from Dimmu Borgir to Søstrene Bjørklund and most things in between, as long as it’s good music. “99 Minutes” is presented in English to attract foreign listeners. And the program has clearly succeeded. The latest statistics show that people in 56 countries have listened to “99 Minutes”, from India to Taiwan to Peru and Latvia.
– It is a great pleasure to make music programs with so much good Norwegian music to choose from right now, says program director Guttorm Andreasen. – Norway is very good at heavy metal and fairly free jazz, it is in those genres that we have a kind of international attention, but there is so much more to be gained from the explosion of creativity we are now hearing in, among other things, Norwegian folk music, electronica and other side genres. Many foreigners are aware that we have many good musicians and exceptionally good public support schemes, but are surprised that we manage to make so much good music across genres as well.
New this year is that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stepped in with direct support to produce 12 new episodes of the program in 2011. Many Norwegian embassies around the world are posting "99 Minutes" on their websites and are actively using it in their work to focus on Norwegian culture. Guttorm Andreasen is very pleased that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now a partner in the production. - Of course it is great to have the Ministry of Foreign Affairs itself behind us! They have a huge global network so this is something that everyone can only benefit from. I have received emails from China, Mexico, Bulgaria and from listeners in many countries, but this means that the chance of being heard by many people is only getting bigger! This is good for "99 Minutes" and MIC, for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and not least for Norwegian musicians and Norwegian music!
"99 Minutes" made several special editions in 2010, including a focus on the Folkelarm festival and a program dedicated to all the Norwegian participants at the renowned contemporary music festival in Huddersfield. The very next program will be a special edition in collaboration with the Norwegian embassy in the UK. Program 10 will be about all the Norwegian artists at this year's Cheltenham Jazz Festival. The famous BBC presenter Fiona Talkington will make a large segment for the program where she interviews Norwegian jazz artists and about why Norwegian jazz is so unique. And there will be more special programs throughout the year.
Guttorm Andreasen is looking forward to making "99 Minutes" again this year. - 2011 is another exciting international year for Norwegian music. Hopefully "99 Minutes" can help open some more doors for Norwegian music abroad, but not least and most importantly, find many listeners who get to hear crazy good music - that's what good music radio is all about!
You can listen to the programs here:
Guttorm Andreasen is known from many years as a program host on NRK radio and television, including for the popular daily music program WASABI on NRK P2. He is also an international DJ and musician and gives music lectures and courses on most things.