Christer Knutsen has for years been active on the Norwegian music scene. As pianist in the band Tumbleweed (nominated for the Norwegian Grammys 2003) and as guest a long list of other Norwegian bands and artists releases. Among them Thomas Dydahls "..that great October sound"
He was discovered by FRODE Records A&R man, Frode Da Costa Lia, at a concert at the Øya festival 2004. Shortly after, recording deal in hand, Knutsen and the band Sacred Hearts went in the studio to record the debut album Would You Please Welcome. It was released January 2005 to the delight of critics and audiences alike.
The first single, No Love #1&2, received heavy rotation on most of the major Norwegian radio stations and was among the top 5 most played music videos on Norwegian music television.
The tour following the release was played in front of packed venues in the biggest cities of Norway.
March 2006 saw the release of the second album entitled "Grand Hotel". As the debut, it received excellent reviews in most Norwegian press and was also noticed in some European press.
Constant touring during the spring and a tight schedule at the summer festivals has resulted in a dedicated following and in excellent reviews.
Knutsens musical roots are deeply planted in the American song-writing tradition and the music press was quick to place it in the Americana/Alt. Country category. CK, though, has constantly referred to his music as pure pop music, more in the lines of Big Star than Hank Williams.
Sacred Hearts is the band that, live as well as on record, contributes to lift CKs music to yet another level. The band consists of Pål Hausken on drums, Magne Vestrum on bass and Lars Lundeval and Rune Helland on guitar.
The third album is entitled now breathe and is set for release september 14th 2009.
Christer Knutsen har i en årrekke vært en aktiv og synlig del av det norske musikklivet. Som pianist i det spellemannsprisnominerte bandet Tumbleweed, og som gjestemusiker for en, etterhvert, betydelig mengde norske band og artister.
Knutsens debut som soloartist januar 2005 fikk såpass med forhåndsomtale og spalteplass at det ble laget egne programmer om d e t. Singelen No Love #1&2 fikk tung rotasjon på norsk radio og den tilhørende videoen var en av årets 5 mest spilte musikkvideoer på NRK 2´s “Svisj”.
Albumet “would you please welcome” ble strålende mottatt og pressen kunne melde at hypen innfridde.
Tung turnering utover våren og en tettpakket festivalsommer ble tett etterfulgt av en ny runde i studio.
Oppfølgeren “Grand Hotel” kom ganske nøyaktig året etter debuten og ble, som første albumet godt mottatt av pressen her hjemme samt noen ekstatiske omtaler i europeiske aviser og nett-fanziner.
Knutsens musikalske røtter er dypt plantet i amerikansk låtskrivertradisjon og albumene ble fort satt i alternativ country/Americana båsen. Knutsen selv, derimot, påstår hardnakket at det han skriver er ren popmusikk -mer inspirert av Big Star enn av Hank Williams.
Sacred Hearts er CKs faste band og består av noen av norges flotteste musikere:
Pål Hausken (trommer)
Lars Lundeval (gitar)
Magne Vestrum (bass)
Rune Helland (gitar, pedal steel)
ck&sh er klar med album nr 3 som har fått tittelen now breathe. Det vil være i butikkhyllene den 14. september 2009.
links to hi-res press photos. remember credits.