MASTODON's 'Curl' Gets Mainstream Radio Exposure In Norway

Norwegian national radio broadcaster NRK's (Norsk Rikskringkasting) youth channel, P3, has added the new MASTODON track "Curl Of The Burl" to its regular rotation, alongside the latest hits from such decidedly more pop-oriented artists as BEYONCE, DAVID GUETTA and MAROON 5. The song has made the station's B-list for two consecutive weeks, resulting in the cut being played during daytime in a spot usually reserved for mainstream pop and rock acts.

Mats Borch Bugge, the head of music programming at P3, explains the station's surprising decision to add "Curl" its playlist for daytime airplay: "Basically, we just love the song. The track's bouncy drums, catchy hook and raw energy make it a pop tune suitable along with other contemporary pop music. 'Curl Of The Burl' is close to a karaoke sing-a-long with its 'woh-hoh' refrain. Producer Mike Elizondo has helped the band to find the path to people who are not necessarily into hard rock or metal. I'd say the track can be described as 'the sound of rock-pedagogic' it has the quality Norwegian rockers KVELERTAK stand for. I thought of ALICE IN CHAINS and QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE ('.Deaf' era) when I first heard the track. Then I wanted to party." He adds, "Unlike other Norwegian radio channels, NRK P3 takes rock seriously."

When asked what response the station has gotten from the listeners, Bugge said, "When we premiered the song, we got a lot of positive response via text messages from listeners. A lot of our listeners are regular workers; electricians, builders and other people working only with their bare hands. Those guys are really happy with 'Curl' on their favorite radio station. Of course, we'll lose some listeners by giving the track heavy rotation, but on the other hand many listeners will be given the chance to listen to music they didn't know they love."

"Curl Of The Burl" comes off MASTODON's new album, "The Hunter", which will be released on September 27. The follow-up to 2009's "Crack The Skye" will be MASTODON's third studio CD to be made available on Reprise Records in the U.S. and Canada and the band's first to be issued through Roadrunner Records outside of North America.

"The Hunter" was recorded at Doppler Studios in Atlanta with producer Mike Elizondo. Drum tracks were previously completed in Los Angeles at the legendary Sound City Studios where NIRVANA's masterwork "Nevermind" was recorded.

"Curl Of The Burl" audio stream: