Kings of Convenience in New York

Kings of Convenience is an indie pop duo from Bergen, Norway, consisting of Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe,  known for their delicate tunes, calming voices, and subtle guitar melodies.

"The album title?" says Erlend. "It's obviously about me and Eirik. We want to give the idea of dependence a better name. Independence has been the thing for hundreds of years, but being dependent on someone is good. All the freedom we have enjoyed in the last few decades has left us with almost too many options. What we do together is very important for both of us – this is the most accomplished thing we both do. Dependence trims down life's endless opportunities. When you're in your 30s you want to make decisions that are set in stone. You want to accept how – and who – you are."

Kings of Convenience's third album, Declaration of Dependence, is a wonderful record for a lot of reasons. For one, Eirik Boe is equally comfortable talking about the record's "serious ideas" and laughing about its' "hi-brow Bossa Nova" moments while his partner Erlend Oye is clearly thrilled by making, "the most rhythmical pop record ever that features no percussion or drums." For another, there is no one who makes records like they do. "When we started out we were afraid of sounding like other artists," Erlend says. "But now we feel pretty much alone." But the most striking thing about this album is how powerfully it reminds you that making music together is not a game, it's not something to be undertaken lightly, this record is part of a much larger picture, a long and involved relationship that has had its good and bad times. www.boweryballroom.com

When: September 10th at 8pm
Where: Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St, NYC
Info: 18+ Tickets $25