The rise of Norwegian emo: "We're growing because other bands are growing, and that's great"

"If they like you abroad, you get Norway for free," comes the disembodied voice from Flight Mode's rehearsal studio. The band are in the middle of their fourth practice ever, even though with the release of EP 'Torshov '05', the Oslo-based group have a perfect eight-song discography.

Vocalist Sjur Lyseid jokes they've recorded more singles than they've had band practices. If it seems like a back-to-front way of approaching music, then little about making emo-inspired music is straightforward in Norway.

With few cities to play in, and a small but dedicated fanbase, Norwegian artists must focus their efforts abroad to get attention. Sometimes acts, scenes, and trends stick – ask the casual fan on the street, and they might mention A-Ha, Sigrid or even black metal – but Norway's geography is not conducive to supporting an indie-rock scene like those found in the UK or the US.

Yet, against the odds, the Norwegian emo scene is thriving, with a handful of acts on the cusp of breaking out. Onsloow's Mathias Nylenna calls this 'the third wave of Norwegian indie-rock'. Oslo's Spielbergs are the most advanced of the acts associated with it, yet other bands are garnering attention too. Both Flight Mode and Trondheim-based Onsloow have met with overseas acclaim over the last 12 months, while Killer Kid Mozart, Lazy Queen and This Daze continue to build their profiles nationally and internationally. So, what better time to bring together these titans of Norwegian indie-rock to find out just what the frick is going on?