Siân's Magical Adventure in Norwayland: To djervt go where I've been trying to go all along

Back in March I tried to see Agnete Kjølsrud's new band Djerv, which also includes members of Trelldom and Stonegard (all very good stuff) and the whole thing was called off due to illness. Of course, neither of the shows either side of the Bergen date were called, leaving me feeling slightly let down, and slightly guilty for feeling let down. Therefore, I'm sure you can imagine my jubilation when they announced their album release party in Oslo the same night I was due to arrive to meet my parents, who were flying in to visit from the UK. That jubilation extended to my becoming excitement incarnate when I found out they were playing just outside Internasjonalen as part of Musikkfest Oslo the following day as well. It was like when you wait ages for a bus and two come at the same time, but x1000. And naturally, I dragged the whole family along.

Djerv really are a fantastically entertaining live band (and studio band come to that. Listen to debut album 'Djerv' today!), so if any of you ever get the chance to see them, do. DO, I SAY!

On the night I arrived in Oslo, as it was the release party, they were giving away a copy of the new album with every ticket sold. Very exciting. Perhaps more exciting, because it's not every day one of your favourite people from Norwegian metal bakes a cake and self-consciously offers you a slice, Agnete had baked a cake for the occasion. When quizzed about her cooking skills, she looked very flustered and waved away all the praise, telling us it was just one of the 'take mix and add an egg' packets, but it was well yummy.

After the show I wandered awkwardly up to the merch table and wiggled my CD at her for signing. It's not something I generally do, and for good reason because I wandered away again even more awkwardly after trying to tell her how amazing the show was and completely tripping over my Norwegian. Might have gotten over it easier as well if she hadn't waved at me from the stage the next day. Damn her powers of recognition! Oh well.