2026: CECILIE ANNA has a new band, THE BANDALICIOUS. First single is just around the corner.
2012: FAMILIEFORETAKET
Photo: Roald Sundal
From Left: Lars Håvard Birkenes, Knut Heggdal, Vidar Vedå, CECILIE ANNA, Endre Olsen
FAMILIEFORETAKET was founded in 2012 as a way for CECILIE ANNA to try out her songs with a band. It turned out to be great fun, and with time, these gems stayed on: Knut Heggdal on bass, Vidar Vedå on vocals and guitar, Endre Olsen on vocals and guitar, Lars Håvard Birkenes on drums. Later on Endre Olsen was replaced by Tron Leon, as shown in the photos:
Photo: Roald Sundal Photo manipulation: Anders Brostory
From left: Lars Håvard Birkenes, Knut Heggdal, Vidar Vedå, CECILIE ANNA, Tron Leon
The name FAMILIEFORETAKET means “The Family Concern” or “The Family Affair” – a concept which originated from how bands live their lives together: A little on top of each other, arguing at times, but most of the time everyone trying to pull their weight, having a good time.
There’s always been a lot of lovely people surrounding and engaging with FAMILIEFORETAKET. The family extends to people like Roald Sundal, Magne Langåker, Oda Hveem, Svein Olav Langåker, Anders Brostory, Frank Biringer. They have all made photos, videos and lovely athmospheres.
Andreas Bjordal, Anders Skaldebø, Marius Sjo, Tor Helge Rimul and Andreas Bjordal have all been members of FAMILIEFORETAKET for a shorter period.
A main caracter is producer Gisle Østrem, who does the recordings and mixing at his Sir Sound Productions.
Gisle Østrem on his way to Abbey Road Studios, London
In 2016, FAMILIEFORETAKET released their debut album “Going North”. Songs were written by CECILIE ANNA, but the arrangements were done collectively. Recorded and mixed by Gisle “Sir Sound” Østrem at his studio Sir Sound Productions, Stord, Norway. Produced by CECILIE ANNA and Gisle. Mastering by Alex Wharton at Abbey Road Studios, London.
FAMILIEFORETAKET received glorious words for Going North by music journalist Erik Valebrokk. Excerpt: “A collection of songs performed by three different vocalists, spanning several musical genres and sub-genres. And yet these songs are connected through a lyrical and musical melancholy in a landscape populated by, among others, Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen and Patti Smith. In itself this is nothing extraordinary. However, CECILIE ANNA’s songs are extraordinarily well-written and utterly original in themselves. The music of FAMILIEFORETAKET almost has an ethereal quality, a somewhat intangible, floating feeling of discourse combined with an unquestionable beauty.” https://erikvalebrokk.no/velkommen-til-familien/
Listen to Going North on Bandcamp
Painting by Lars Slettebø
One of the bands highlights would be playing in Wales. Somehow they managed to get invited to a festival in 2017 with a focus on Wales with the name FOCUS:Wales. CECILIE ANNA was invited back the following year.
FAMILIEFORETAKET were invited to Steve Hywyn Jones’ Studio ROC2 to do some recordings. Featuring Tron Leon, Vidar, CECILIE ANNA and Knut, here’s “Are You Leaving Too”:
Endre Olsens take on “Going North”. All instruments and vocals by Endre, recorded in his livingroom.
Cecilie Anna wishes to say hank you to Andy Inglis and Kristine Knapskog for helping out.