Born out of glitter and self-loathing, Mildfire is a Norwegian award-winning composer collective contributing to over 100 millions streams and hundreds of concerts internationally. The Oslo and Berlin based quartet are driven by the urge to touch hearts and promote therapy with their classical music inspired indie outfit. In addition to touring with everything from stoner rock bands to singer-songwriters, they are directing choirs, vinyl DJ-ing, working with theatre plays, and taking part in International collabs like with musician Ali Àit Zaouit in Morocco and Music Art Tabor in Bulgaria. But most importantly they are finally releasing their shimmering indie art pop songs inspired by the likes of Dirty Projectors and Mew. 

Their October 2023 debut EP “Drinking Salt Water”, released on Sinnbus, is the lovechild of Steve Reich and Prince. The first of a trilogy of EPs written all over the world from Brooklyn’s smelly street corners to cat filled Greek islands. Mildfire is the crystal clear voice and cello sounds of Team Me’s Ofelia Ossum complimenting songwriter Einar Stray’s signature baritone and his first go with his sore and souly falsetto. Astrosaur’s Steinar Glas plays the bass and MesaVerde/Synne Sanden’s Lars Fremmerlid drums better than ever. Their second EP: the 12 minute long, 4 part piece “How To Be An Astronaut” will be released November 17th. It showcases the band’s eclectic span and experimental lust – a train ride from tender piano creaks and electronic beats to prog rock explosions and a folky mandolin outro. 

With their shared past in the critically acclaimed phenomena Einar Stray Orchestra they are ready to perform their debut show as Mildfire at Berghain Kantine in Berlin November 28th. Their debut album release tour in February 2024 will include cities like Prague, Vienna, Oslo and several cities in Germany. 

/// Mildfire's Einar Stray about "How To Be An Astronaut
The song was born on a cabin in the Norwegian woods amongst horses and sheep during the first lock-down. There was also a small chapel nearby perfect for a small studio setup. I would go on these sunset walks in the area – through forests and fields turning from winter to spring. I read a lot about loneliness and how to befriend it, and how to be there for someone who are depressed.

It’s a mostly instrumental piece, but even without lyrics I can hear all the feeling we put into it. Our philosophy and mindset was to keep a nerve and rawness in every breath of the recording. We didn’t do many takes, there’s an emergency in the playing. A journey from peacefulness, to chaos, back to peace again.

In the studio Ofelia played so intensely that she broke her (very expensive) cello bow. We ended up using that exact take.

It features incredible brass by Lyder Øvreås Røed (Fieh) and Magnus Joelson (BenReddik) and co-production by Øyvin Røsrud Gundersen (Rumble In Rhodos, Hanne Kolstø).