Bjorn Riis

Bjørn Riis is releasing his first solo recording ‘Lullabies in a Car Crash’ on Karisma Records November 3rd 2014. The album is very much a personal statement, with lyrics dealing with fear of abandonment, alienation and loss. It’s also homage to many of Bjørn’s musical influences.
Bjørn is one of the founding members, the lead guitarist and main songwriter of the highly successful Norwegian band Airbag. Their three releases, ‘Identity’ (2009), ‘All Rights Removed’ (2011) and ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ (2013), all on Karisma Records, have all received great reviews worldwide and all become favourites among fans all over the globe.
Bjørn has, together with Airbag, acquired a substantial live experience doing gigs as headliners, double bills, festivals and support, sharing stage with bands like Marillion, Saga, Spock’s Beard, Arena, Riverside, Gazpacho among others. Loving playing live Bjørn will be putting together a band for some exclusive live performances of ‘Lullabies in a Car Crash’ late 2014 early 2015.
In addition to playing and recording with Airbag, Bjørn is a highly respected guitarist within the guitar community on the Internet, where he has a huge fan base. His guitar page “Gilmourish.com” has become a centre for gear and music discussions online.
With a wide range of inspirations from artists like Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree, No-Man to Black Sabbath, and musical styles from chill, electronica, art-rock to heavy metal, Bjørn have mixed all this into his music and have created his own style in writing and presenting music.
Although Bjørn as a guitarist have developed his own sound with a unique tone and his own technique over the years, the playing and tone are reminiscent of David Gilmour, Steven Rothery and Steven Wilson.
As a singer this is the first time he takes the lead, normally doing the backing vocals in Airbag. Although him doing vocals on his demos for the band is one of the reasons many people have been urging him to do this record. His singing style is in the area of the mellow vocals of Tim Bowness and Nick Drake…
The album ‘Lullabies in a Car Crash’ will be out on Karisma Records November 3rd 2014.
http://www.bjornriis.com/