THE NORTHERN TERRITORIES have inked a multi-album deal with Dependent Records. The reformed Swedish electronic shoegaze duo will release their upcoming fourth album via the label in 2025.THE NORTHERN TERRITORIES comment: “We are thrilled to start a new second chapter with THE NORTHERN TERRITORIES on Dependent Records and label manager Stefan Herwig”, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist John Alexander Ericson writes on behalf of the duo. “Stefan has been helpful throughout, which we very much appreciate. We’re very glad to share a label with fellow Swedes TWICE A MAN. Their 1986 album ‘Works on Yellow’ has been very inspirational for us and we both had it on cassette with DEPECHE MODE’s ‘Black Celebration’ on the flip side. We listened to those albums for months on our Walkman (google it) on our way to school. We can hardly wait to share our forthcoming new album with you!”
Stefan Herwig welcomes THE NORTHERN TERRITORIES to the label: “THE NORTHERN TERRITORIES are one of those bands that were always way too good for their actual size”, the Dependent director states. “I admit that I am still a huge fan of their early albums, especially ‘Orange Moon’ and ‘Satellite People’. Their music is a masterclass in songwriting and they have succeeded in combining acoustic and electronic elements in an incredibly seamless way. And a sweet dark melancholy is the crowning piece of their songs. Like another Swedish band once so fittingly said: ‘Like Diamonds in the ground, we are waiting to be found’.”
The eager wishes of their dedicated and loyal following over many years have finally been heeded, THE NORTHERN TERRITORIES have reformed and will release a new fourth studio album in 2025!
When the Swedish duo disbanded after the release of their third full-length ‘Satellite People’ in 1999, they left behind many a broken heart in the electronic music scene that was mourning the loss of a one of a kind band with a unique sonic appearance. THE NORTHERN TERRITORIES’ combination of outstanding songwriting with a strong melancholic Nordic note and semi-acoustic, semi-electronic instrumentation created their very own version of a dreampop soundscape. THE NORTHERN TERRITORIES began to take shape in the early nineties in the Swedish province Uppland where nothing ever happens and probably never will. Two quiet teens began bonding over a shared taste for electronic music. Before too long, vocalists and electronic musicians John Alexander Ericson and Stefan Sääf produced a demo tape that mysteriously turned up on the desk of a surprised record label boss in Berlin.
One phone call as well as some signatures later, and THE NORTHERN TERRITORIES were given the opportunity to release their debut album ‘Midnight Ambulance’ in 1994. The sophomore full-length ‘Orange Moon’ followed in 1997. While the first two releases are generally classified as synth pop, the Swedes began to include more guitars in their music, which became audible on the third album ‘Satellite People’. After the duo split up, John Alexander Ericson started a solo career and relocated to Berlin. Yet more than a quarter of a century later, THE NORTHERN TERRITORIES found their spark again and are ready to bring the fire back! Watch this space for more important news from the Swedes coming soon...
Band: The Northern Territories
Style: Electronic shoegaze
Label: Dependent Records
Line-up
John Alexander Ericson – vocals, instruments, electronics
Stefan Sääf – vocals, electronics
Links: www.facebook/thenorthernterritories / www.instagram.com/thenorthernterritories
Source: Press Release / Picture by Chris Ruiz
