Fløi carrying on Bergen’s musical legacy

At the old Youth Residential Home in Laksevåg, the sound of guitar strings seeps through the walls. Upstairs, drummer Kristian Vigmonstad is putting the finishing touches on Fløi’s upcoming album, while childhood friends Endre Abildsnes and Brede Thomassen take a short break outside – talking about music, memories, and the city that shaped them.

With a sound that blends indie rock and pop, heartfelt lyrics in Bergen dialect, and the unshakable charm of the rainiest city in Europe, the trio is ready to make their mark on Norway’s indie scene. Bringing listeners straight to the streets of Bergen, where their story begins.

– The Bergen soul lives within us

Even if you haven’t heard of Fløi, the name immediately evokes the city they come from – Bergen, and its famous mountain, Fløyen. The city on the west coast of Norway is where the band’s roots lie. Its story begins with two childhood friends, Brede and Endre, who shared a love for music from an early age.

– We played music together growing up. During the pandemic, when we were living together, we started playing again. After a while, we realized we had to make our own songs – and that’s how Fløi was born, says Abildsnes.

Now based in Oslo, the trio has never really left Bergen behind. The name was chosen deliberately to keep that connection front and center.

– We wanted something short, that had something to do with Bergen. At first we thought about rain. But we ended up with Fløi – obviously because of Fløyen, they explain.

Still, it’s not necessarily Fløyen that defines their idea of Bergen.

– We’re more connected to places outside of the city, where we grew up. Places like Titlestad and Fanafjorden, that’s where our good memories are. But we love the city too. All the bars, restaurants, and people. And Fløyen, of course, says Thomassen.

Though they joke about preferring another of the city’s seven mountains – Lyderhorn – the band’s identity is deeply rooted in Bergen’s landscape, culture, and sound.

The second Bergen Wave

The so-called Bergen Wave – the music movement that produced acts like Röyksopp, Kings of Convenience and Datarock – shaped an entire generation of Norwegian musicians. Fløi sees themselves as part of its continuation.

– Bergen has influenced us strongly. The Bergen soul lives within us – and in the music as well. We grew up listening to artists like Great News, John Olav Nilsen og Gjengen, Fjorden Baby! and Sondre Lerche. 

– That sound was everywhere between 2005 and 2010, and after. We are the second wave, they declare.

Their music also draws from international acts like The Strokes, Phoenix, Royal Otis, and Tame Impala.

What gives Fløi’s music its distinctive Bergen sound are also the lyrics sung in the local dialect, complete with its skarre-r and characteristic tone. Thomassen admits that singing in his own dialect adds a special layer of meaning to the songs.

– It feels more personal when you sing in your own language. The Bergen dialect has a cool tone —almost like Swedish singers. It’s something about the melody of it.

From demos to dreams

Since their 2023 debut, Fløi quickly caught the attention of national radio stations and played several sold-out shows in Oslo and Bergen. Their debut EP Fin fyr established them as a promising new act in the Norwegian indie landscape.

When it comes to songwriting, the band works in waves — some more productive than others.

– If Brede’s having a good day, we’re creative, Abildsnes laughs.

– It happens on bad days too – but then I’m usually alone, Thomassen adds. 

– Sometimes I work alone in my living room, recording guitars and vocals. Then Endre comes by to add bass, and we bring it all to the studio to make it sound right.

That studio magic happens under the guidance of Njål Paulsberg — the Bergen-based producer best known for his work with artists like Aurora.

– The collaboration with Njål is great. We have a really good vibe with him and often agree on what we want to do with the songs. Sometimes he surprises us with something unexpected – and it’s often brilliant. He’s a fantastic engineer and producer.

Next step

While the official date for their first album release is not yet comfirmed, the band is aiming for early spring in 2026. Despite hesitating at first, Fløi decided to reveal a bit of what the album’s theme will be about.

– Growing up as a young person in Norway, in the late 2000s. With all the difficulties and nice things you meet on your way, the band’s singer explains.

Three songs from the upcoming album are already confirmed: Har du alltid vært sånn, Situation, and Apotekaren will make their way onto the debut record.

Fløi got a chance to perform in their hometown at the Vill Vill Vest festival. But the band’s dreams stretch to even bigger venues.

– We’d really want to play at some cool festivals around Norway, like Roskilde or Bergenfest. And for a dream collaboration, we’d love to work with Michelle Ullestad, they say.

With heartfelt lyrics, shimmering guitars, and a sound that carries the drizzle and light of Bergen in every note, Fløi might just be the next band to put the city’s name back on the indie map.