The smell of Oslo in October, loneliness, happiness, Poggibonsi, cool films, vocals with chorus-effect, coming home after an 80 minutes walk listening to Traveling Wilburys, Berlin, Norway-Brazil 2-1, Charles Bukowski, recording demoes wearing cool italian sunglasses from the 70's, Dodge Aspen Red 1978, Jack Nicholson in Five Easy Pieces, Peter Fonda in Easy Rider, everything that has to do with Vincent Gallo, Herman Düne, Mango-Juice, Elvis Presley when he rode that bicycle during the preparations for the big Las Vegas Gig, The Rolling Stones when they arrive at the hotelroom with a ghettoblaster and huge amounts of whiskey when they listen to the mixes of Gimme Shelter, Gimme Shelter, Don't Look Back. Daniel Johnston.
There´s Only One Of me
A Guy With A Thin Voice And A Revolver Pointed Towards His Head And Some Pain In The Chest Trying To Make Things Hang Together Like Tight But It Doesnt Really Matter As Long As They Make Sense To Himself
I am 31 years old now. I´ve lived out of my music since the summer of 2000. I have released six albums and played hundreds of gigs with more than 70 different band-constellations. Right now my backingband is The Captain And Me (www.thecaptainandme.com). I am recording my seventh album these days, together with Even Vaa from The Captain And Me. It will sound different than earlier. On this album I will mostly sing. Even is working with the arrangements right now. I will start joining in as the songs start to form. Of course I made the songs myself, I made 100 songs to choose from. It will be a strong album, hopefully my best so far. Now is the only time in my musical carreer that i dont have a label. So interested labels, please contact me. I´m sure I´ll get a couple though. I am confident when it comes to my songwriting. Now I will take a shower. After a cigarette, norwegian brand called "Pepperøe`s".
The 5th of September this year, we heard that the artist, and dear friend, Thomas Hansen had passed away. Family, friends, the record label Racing Junior and The Norwegian Council for Mental Health have created a memorial trust in his name. The aim of The Saint Thomas Memorial Trust is to raise money for
-improved mental health care amongst children and youth -mental health support related to drug or alcohol abuse amongst young people -putting mental health care on the public agenda, reducing stigma and negative views on the subject
In order to make this work possible, a charitable release of a CD box set will be made, and a memorial concert held in october 2008.
How can you help?
We are encouraging you to contribute with a cover of a Saint Thomas song. We are encouraging artists who at some point worked with Thomas to contribute, so to maintain his musical identity – but also wish greater names to take part; creating a broad appeal and higher public focus on the cause. And most importantly – we know Thomas would have been proud to hear a great artist perform her own version of his songs. In other words, we are encouraging contributions from anyone who’s enthusiastic about this cause – and feels their hearts beating slightly faster when reading this. If you can’t contribute personally, but still wish to help, please forward this message to someone you think might be interested. We depend on your support.
All contributors will be credited both on the CD cover and during the memorial concert. As this is a charity, we hope you understand we are not able to offer support for recording or production. We are dependent on having the music delivered at no cost. We’d also like to emphasize that we will be collecting contributions, and not everyone is guaranteed to be included on the final compilation.
Deadline for submission is Friday 4th of January 2008.
Please get back to us as soon as possible if you are interested. Contact Pål Klostermann at klostermann@racingjunior.com
We will of course be able to assist in gathering background material, lyrics, music, etc.
Initiators
Racing Junior: Saint Thomas’ record label and initiator for the Saint Thomas Memorial Trust. Racing Junior is an independent record label based on idealism and voluntary work. It was started in 2000, and has a history of about 50 releases, mainly by Norwegian artists.
The Norwegian Council for Mental Health: NCMH is a humanitarian organization in which the majority of Norwegian institutions and organizations involved in the field of mental health are members. Through information activities and involvement in political issues the objective is to have an impact on decision making in order to improve mental health care. The Council encourages open-mindedness towards mental health issues and wants to bring an end to taboos and myths related to mental problems.
CD box set release and memorial concert. A range of Norwegian and international artists will contribute with interpretations of Saint Thomas’ music. The best songs will be compiled on one CD and released in an exclusive CD box set, which will also contain a 'Best of'-CD featuring songs form Saint Thomas’ entire career. In addition to this, other audio- and video footage will be gathered, documenting the life and work of a young, one of a kind artist. CD 1 – Tribute-album. CD 2 – 'Best of'-album. CD 3 – Demo recordings, cover songs, unreleased material, etc. DVD – Documentary, live footage, music videos, video clips/interviews, etc. Book – Containing biography, interviews, pictures, etc.
Illustration: CD-box containing 3 CDs, DVD and book.
A memorial concert will be held launching the CD release. This will take place at a central venue or town square in Oslo.
Raising money
To the trust fund you can also deposite money gifts: IBAN acountnumber: NO19 1503 0167 837.
The CD box set will be available at record shops across Norway, online record shops and the Racing Junior website, and as digital downloads. The price of the box will be only 150-200 NOK (approx. 19.50-25.50 €) – an affordable price in the range of a full price album. All profits will go directly to the Saint Thomas Memorial Trust, and will be distributed by The Council for Mental Health. The project is based fully on gathering sponsors for all parts, from production to distribution and marketing.
Monday September 5th 2007, we learned that our dear friend Thomas Hansen, aka Saint Thomas, had passed away due to an unfortunate combination of prescribed medication. He was 31 years old. It was no secret that he had struggled with mental problems, a story he was open to the public about throughout his career. The composer and singer Thomas Hansen made his debut with the album Mysterious Walks in 2000, and released six studio albums. The material for his seventh was ready to be recorded in studio. Sadly he never got to complete it. Even in initial interviews, during the summer of 2000, Thomas was open about his unstable mental condition. Throughout his seven years as a public figure, this was a subject frequently returned to, both by the artist and press. As a person he reflected an entire spectrum of feelings, from way up high to far down low, brutally honest, including and just, but most of all he was a vulnerable and warm boy. He made himself a spokesperson for the weaker people of our society, especially through his lyrics. He wrote about being an outsider, excluded from the society, friends or colleagues. His passion for this area shone through in both his music and interviews. Before passing away, Thomas was energetic and efficient, and had had a long, productive song writing period. The songs that were to become his new album had been chosen from more than 100 demoes created March-August 2007 and he was excited about the fact that he had just started an education in Sound Technology. Saint Thomas has sold almost 75 000 records worldwide . He achieved several radio hits, with the songs Cornerman (2001) and A Long Long Time (2003) probably becoming the most well known.
Yours Sincerely, Thomas Hansens family Beth Hansen, Kate Hansen, Terje Hansen
Racing Junior Robert Jønnum,+4799566169, Claes Olsen,+4790084252, Pål Klostermann,+4741566083 and The Norwegian Council for Mental Health. Sissel Finstad,+4723103872 Ragnhild H
I only found out about the terrible event today. I surfed to the site to look when the album I just bought was recorded. Devastated right now.
Still I want to share this: A few years ago Saint Thomas opened for Madrugada in a club in Bruges. Just before the show he and the band had their wallets stolen in the hotel room. After the first song he told this story. Some rude guy didn't bother listening and was shouting. The band started a second song, but after a few seconds Thomas left the stage and walked away, never to come back. That one song + his attitude (not taking bullshit from that guy, even as 'only' the opening act) convinced me. I'll treasure the 4 albums and EP I've collected over the years and the memory of that Bruges and a Brussels concert.
Merry november spiller på "sound of mu" markveien 58 i Oslo.
Lørdag 1. desember kl 18:30 presis Cc50 Matinë konsert med: Merry november. Konserten er den første merry november spiller i oslo på 2 år. Ny besetning er: Charlotte Ronja Knudsen: vokal, Andreas Knudsen: vokal, gitar, Jon Glørsen: Gitar, kor. John Stenersen: Bass.
Det vil bli presentert nye låter som skal spilles inn av Robert Jønnum vinteren 2008.
Har tidligere gitt ut 1 album på racingjunior "I..ll keep you here" 2003 og "since we are all captains" på osito records 2005.
you dear family and friends of thomas.. please never delete or change this precious site.. a place where he had spend so much time, a place we could always meet him...
Unfortunately, i'll never meet St Thomas. But i keep his songs in my heart, because they are so beautiful ones. As all the others on this page, i'm very sad about his death. I'll miss his talent.
just to say we love you so much and we saw such great shows of Saint Thomas here in Belgium. I won't never stop to listen to your songs. thanx a lot for all those emotions you gave. Redboy for MLCD
oh, thomas. you will be very sadly missed. your songs brought me great joy in hard times and i sang along with every line, in awe of such honest and sincere songwriting. your beautiful but broken melodies will live on, as the soundtrack to many lives.
rest in peace, and may God be with your family always.
you will always be remembered, and your life has left its mark.
