NEW VIDEO AND DIGITAL SINGLE

As a prelude to the upcoming Martin Hall double album A Brief Summary, a new digital single – "Lesser Gods" – will be available on all major digital platforms on March 30 (Good Friday).

Hall made the original recording of the track back in 1993 with a team of selected musicians featuring legendary Danish jazz musician Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (1946-2005) on double bass, Jonas Johansen on drums, Jens Albrectsen on piano and Ole Hansen on trumpet. On the new 2018 version of the song Martin Hall’s vocal has been re-recorded, just like the track has been remixed and electronically processed.

The new video for the song is filmed by the Danish photographer Robin Skjoldborg. You can see the video here:

 
https://youtu.be/mtmvsSNS-FY
 

You can find the Danish music magazine GAFFA's feature about Hall and his new releases here:
 

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by M H

NEW EDITION OF ’1971–1985’

Martin Hall’s latest book, the autobiographical 1971-1985, has been met with very positive reviews. Among many praises the book has been appointed “best autobiography of the year” by DRK's weekly literary review Crazy about books host Flemming Møldrup.

Now, at the end of February 2018 Gyldendal (Denmark’s largest publishing house) takes over from the book’s original publishers, Tiderne Skifter, and releases a new edition of the book.

1971–1985 is available as a hardcover book, e-book and audiobook at Gyldendal's website.

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REVIEWS OF "1971–1985"

"Martin Hall writes unadorned, beautifully, often wise and most of the time relievingly funny about his youth and early days."
( * * * * )
Politiken (Danish equivalent to The Guardian)

"Hall is brilliant in his depiction of a rampant Copenhagen in the seventies ... the book is a sharp and observant snapshot."
( * * * * )
Berlingske (Danish equivalent to The Times)

“Incredibly sharp … Martin Hall's ability to reflect and convey his understanding is admirable.”
( * * * * )
GAFFA (Scandinavia’s biggest music magazine)

"Martin Hall has style, and with this book he manages to come close to the substance and the pain in the depiction of his early career's harsh downside with suicides, drugs and chronic restlessness."
Weekendavisen (Danish equivalent to New York Times Literary Review)

“Insightful and amusing.”
Fyens Stiftstidende (major regional newspaper)
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by M H

MARTIN HALL MEETS KIRSTEN THORUP

On Thursday the 11th of January at 7.00 PM Martin Hall meets the Danish author Kirsten Thorup (born 1942), who recently received Nordisk Råds Litteraturpris for her novel Remembrance of love. The arrangement will take place in Tranquebar, a combined café and bookstore in central Copenhagen. The evening is presented under the heading "A journey through generations and relations".

Based on Hall's new book 1971-1985 and with parallels to Thorup's award-winning novel, the two writers will try to identify some of the many questions that both books contain – such as the relationship between parents and their children as well as the massive influence the 70's had upon both generations.

You can buy tickets at the price of 50,- DKK through www.billetto.dk or in the entrance on the evening itself.

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REVIEWS OF "1971–1985"

"Martin Hall writes unadorned, beautifully, often wise and most of the time relievingly funny about his youth and early days."
( * * * * )
Politiken (Danish equivalent to The Guardian)

"Hall is brilliant in his depiction of a rampant Copenhagen in the seventies ... the book is a sharp and observant snapshot."
( * * * * )
Berlingske (Danish equivalent to The Times)

“Incredibly sharp … Martin Hall's ability to reflect and convey his understanding is admirable.”
( * * * * )
GAFFA (Scandinavia’s biggest music magazine)

"Martin Hall has style, and with this book he manages to come close to the substance and the pain in the depiction of his early career's harsh downside with suicides, drugs and chronic restlessness."
Weekendavisen (Danish equivalent to New York Times Literary Review)

"The multifacetted artist Martin Hall tells a charming tale of his early, wild years."
Jyllands-Posten (Denmark’s biggest newspaper)

“Insightful and amusing.”
Fyens Stiftstidende (major regional newspaper)
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by M H

NEW BOX SET: 'HALL CRONHAMMAR INDEX'

On the 10th of October the book and double-LP box set Hall Cronhammar Index will be made available in a limited edition of 491 numbered and signed copies by Nordsø Records. The release contains two vinyl records with a total playing time of more than one and a half hour of music as well as a 48-page book in LP format featuring extensive photo material and an essay documenting the artists’ longstanding cooperation.

The records and book comes in a hardback canvas frame placed in a separate box that also contains a set of Ingvar Cronhammar's newly designed "Hansha" metal cutlery with the artists' names engraved (the cutlery is not available on the retail market and can only be purchased as part of the box set). This edition is numbered #001 to #300 and costs 200 Euro.

A standard edition “only” including the two vinyl records and the book in the hardback canvas frame will also be available. This version is numbered #301 to #491. The price for this edition is 80 Euro.

Both editions can be purchased and ordered on the Nordsø Records site as long as stock lasts. The music is analogue based and there will be no digital download codes available with the product. You can order the box via Nordsø's shop site here:
 

 

The two vinyl records contain newly edited versions of the four major pieces of music Hall has recorded for Cronhammar in the period 2001-2017:

Side 1: Elia (23.14)
Side 2: Racing Cars (24.35)
Side 3: H (24.00)
Side 4: Design (19.47)

The first time the two artists collaborated was in connection with the inauguration of the Elia steel dome outside Herning in 2001. Next time it happened was in conjunction with the ARoS exhibition Racing Cars in 2006. In 2015 their cooperation reached its preliminary culmination with the subterranean reservoir installation H at the Cisterns in Copenhagen, an event that was visited by almost 100.000 people and won great appraisal from both the audience and art critics all over the world (such as The New York Times).

It is in relation to the newly opened retrospective exhibition Ingvar Cronhammar - Design at HEART (Herning Museum of Contemporary Art) that Martin Hall has written and recorded the last piece of music for the new box set, Design.

The album will be made available in digital form on the 31st of October.

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[hr]

Formally the box set was pre-launched on the 8th of September in a limited amount of copies made available to the guests on the day of the opening of the new exhibition at HEART. The remaining copies will be produced, signed and delivered during October.
 
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REVIEWS OF "DESIGN" AND "INDEX"

”New Cronhammar exhibition is like a journey into the heart of darkness.”
( * * * * * )
Berlingske

”Absolutely gorgeous vinyl release. Excellent.”
( * * * * * * )
Herning Folkeblad
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by M H

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR

In relation to the annual Book Forum in 2017 the host on DRK's weekly literary review Crazy about books, Flemming Møldrup, has given DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation) his list of this year’s best autobiographies. No. 1 on the list is Martin Hall’s 1971-1985.

You can see the list by clicking here or on the image:
 

 
Martin Hall portrait by Thomas Nielsen (2017).

by M H

HALL AT BOGFORUM NOVEMBER 11

On November 11 (Saturday) at 2.30 PM Martin Hall will be appearing at Bogforum at Bella Center Copenhagen, the big yearly book fair in Denmark. He’ll be interviewed by Morten Lindberg in relation to his new book 1971-1985.

Among many other things Lindberg presents the weekly radio program Croque Monsieur at Radio24Syv, where Hall was a guest recently. You can hear the show here:
 

[box border="full"]
REVIEWS OF THE BOOK

"Martin Hall writes unadorned, beautifully, often wise and most of the time relievingly funny about his youth and early days."
( * * * * )
Politiken (Danish equivalent to The Guardian)

"Hall is brilliant in his depiction of a rampant Copenhagen in the seventies ... the book is a sharp and observant snapshot."
( * * * * )
Berlingske (Danish equivalent to The Times)

“Incredibly sharp … Martin Hall's ability to reflect and convey his understanding is admirable.”
( * * * * )
GAFFA (Scandinavia’s biggest music magazine)

"Martin Hall has style, and with this book he manages to come close to the substance and the pain in the depiction of his early career's harsh downside with suicides, drugs and chronic restlessness."
Weekendavisen (Danish equivalent to New York Times Literary Review)

"The multifacetted artist Martin Hall tells a charming tale of his early, wild years."
Jyllands-Posten (Denmark’s biggest newspaper)

“Insightful and amusing.”
Fyens Stiftstidende (major regional newspaper)
[/box]

by M H

REVIEWS OF THE NEW BOOK '1971–1985'

The reception and coverage of Martin Hall's new book 1971-1985 has been very positive. A short resumé go like this:

Politiken (Danish equivalent to The Guardian): “Martin Hall writes unadorned, beautifully, often wise and most of the time relievingly funny about his youth and early days.” ( * * * * )
Berlingske (Danish equivalent to The Times): “Hall is brilliant in his depiction of a rampant Copenhagen in the seventies … the book is a sharp and observant snapshot of a city that no longer exists.” ( * * * * )
GAFFA (Scandinavia's biggest music magazine): ”Incredibly sharp ... Martin Hall's ability to reflect and convey his understanding is admirable.” ( * * * * )
Bogbobler (literary site): “Beautifully written, deeply personal, wildly entertaining and, not least, convincingly reflective.”
Modspor (literary site): "A clear must read … a catchy mix of sober observation and thoughtful reflection."
DR: "Best autobiography of the year."
Weekendavisen (Danish equivalent to New York Times Literary Review): “Martin Hall has style, and with this book he manages to come close to the substance and the pain in the depiction of his early career’s harsh downside with suicides, drugs and chronic restlessness.”
Jyllands-Posten (Denmark’s biggest newspaper): “The multifacetted artist Martin Hall tells a charming tale of his early, wild years.”
Fyens Stiftstidende (major regional newspaper): “Insightful and amusing.”
Radio24Syv (Denmark’s second biggest radio station): ”Needle-pointed wit.”

On October 10 Martin Hall meets the renowned Danish author Kirsten Thorup in Tranquebar, a combined café and bookstore in central Copenhagen. On November 11 he'll be appearing at Bogforum at Bella Center Copenhagen, the big yearly book fair in Denmark.

For a more complete list of features and interviews made in relation to the book release, please see this update.

by M H

HALL CRONHAMMAR INDEX

Buy BOX SET

HALL CRONHAMMAR INDEX

MARTIN HALL
2LP-BOX
OCTOBER 2017
NORDSØ RECORDS

The book and double-LP box set Hall Cronhammar Index was released in a limited edition of 491 numbered and signed copies on the 10th of October 2017. The box set contains two vinyl records with a total playing time of more than one and a half hour of music as well as a 48-page book in LP format featuring extensive photo material and an essay documenting the artists’ longstanding cooperation.

The records and book comes in a hardback canvas frame placed in a separate box that also contains a set of Ingvar Cronhammar’s newly designed “Hansha” metal cutlery with the artists’ names engraved.

Side 1: Elia (23:14)
Side 2: Racing Cars (24:35)
Side 3: H (24:00)
Side 4: Design (19:47)

H

En linje deler huden
Natten svøbt i tysthed
Blikket føles tungt som bly

En hvisken og en tøven
Gemt et sted i mørket
Som et hjertes fjerne slag

En sagte stemmes glød
Det stille morgenrøde
Et lys der falder blegt
Som skyggers sølv

Politiken (the Danish equivalent to The Guardian): “Overwhelming … the perfect combination of something industrial and something sacred.” (rating: 6 out of 6)

Berlingske (the Danish equivalent to The Times): “A unique installation in Frederiksberg’s underworld.” (rating: 6 out of 6)

Fyens Stiftstidende (major sectional newspaper): “Extraterrestrial magic!” (rating: 6 out of 6)

Information (the Danish equivalent to The Independent): “An underground cathedral of light and water … an extremely successful installation.” (no rating system)

Weekendavisen (the Danish equivalent to The Observer): ”Eminent.”

Kunsten Nu (major art site): “Water music: Sensual perception beyond the ordinary … the new work re-enchants The Cisterns.”

All reviews March 2015 in relation to the “H” exhibition.

Martin Hall: Piano, keyboards, electronics, tape material and balalaika
The Vista Dome Ensemble: Orchestra
Lydenskab: Ensemble
Konsort: Choir
Michael Morelli: Countertenor on ”Racing Cars”
Daniel Ostersen: Boy’s voice on ”H”
Maiken Kildegaard: Girl’s voice on ”H”
Christian Skeel: Keyboards on ”Design”

Design: Christina Carlsen
Photo: Maiken Kildegaard

The two vinyl records contain edited versions of the four major pieces of music Martin Hall has recorded for Cronhammar in the period 2001-2017.

The first time the two artists collaborated was in connection with the inauguration of the Elia steel dome outside Herning in 2001. Next time it happened was in conjunction with the ARoS exhibition Racing Cars in 2006.

In 2015 their cooperation reached its preliminary culmination with the subterranean reservoir installation H at the Cisterns in Copenhagen, an event that was visited by almost 100.000 people and won great appraisal from both the audience and art critics all over the world (such as The New York Times).

It was in relation to the retrospective exhibition Ingvar Cronhammar Design at HEART (Herning Museum of Contemporary Art) in 2017 that Martin Hall wrote and recorded the fourth piece of music for the box set. Formally the release was pre-launched on the opening day of the exhibition (September 8, 2017) in a limited amount of copies made available to the guests, but the remaining copies weren’t produced, signed or delivered to shops and customers before mid-October.

The album is also available in digital form.

by M H

CURRENT INTERVIEWS AND FEATURES

The media interest in and coverage of Martin Hall's new book 1971-1985 has been massive. After the launch of the book at Politikens Boghal, where Hall met the literary editor at Jyllands-Posten, David Jacobsen Turner, for a short interview, the following features have appeared:
 

 
The week after its release 1971–1985 went top 10 at Bog & Idé’s sales chart (Denmark’s largest bookstore chain)

On October 1 Hall will be guest in P2’s Søndagsklassikeren.

On October 10 he meets the renowned Danish author Kirsten Thorup at Tranquebar and on November 11 he'll be appearing at Bogforum at Bella Center Copenhagen, the big yearly book fair in Denmark.

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[box border="full"]
REVIEWS OF THE BOOK

"Martin Hall writes unadorned, beautifully, often wise and most of the time relievingly funny about his youth and early days."
( * * * * )
Politiken

"Hall is brilliant in his depiction of a rampant Copenhagen in the seventies ... the book is a sharp and observant snapshot."
( * * * * )
Berlingske

"Martin Hall has style, and with this book he manages to come close to the substance and the pain in the depiction of his early career's harsh downside with suicides, drugs and chronic restlessness."
Weekendavisen

"The multifacetted artist Martin Hall tells a charming tale of his early, wild years."
Jyllands-Posten

"Beautifully written, deeply personal, wildly entertaining and, not least, convincingly reflective."
Bogbobler

“Insightful and amusing.”
Fyens Stiftstidende

"Needle-pointed wit … the book kindles you and you’re moved as you enter its many rooms."
Radio24Syv
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by M H

NEW MARTIN HALL BOOK OUT AUGUST 17

On August 17 Martin Hall's long-awaited book 1971-1985 will be published – his first in five years. The publication is an autobiographical depiction of his formative years as a boy and a young man.

The book is released by Tiderne Skifter (a subsidiary of Gyldendal releasing the works of authors such as W.G. Sebald, Jean Rhys and David Lynch). The publishers write the following about the book:
 
"1971-1985 is a high-speed portrait of the Danish artist Martin Hall's childhood and early youth, a teenage chronicle that focuses on a period of great personal and cultural impact in a rampant Copenhagen.

From the rough black-and-white photos of the seventies to the following decade's Polaroid pictures, from glam rock to punk and from Madame Arthur to Rockmaskinen at Christiania – the journey is long from General Franco’s catholic Spain, where Martin Hall lived as a young boy, to the liberated sex shops of Vesterbrogade.

Written in a simple, yet figurative language, he describes his parents’ reckless sense of adventure and the ruthlessness that characterized his adolescence, the alcoholic culture the seventies were soaked in as well as the sexuality and the political climate of the period.

As a new generation cuts through previous norms and values, Hall's personal journey and following formation as an artist during the early eighties reveals a story of great personal hope and tragedy, spiritual ferocity and loss.”

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The book amounts to 248 pages and is released with support of The Danish Arts Foundation.

by M H