Bifrost -

Bifrost was a Danish folk-rock band that made three albums on CBS, including the 1977 two-record Til en sigøjner…, followed by three albums through 1984 on Mercury.

Members: Tom Lundén (vocals, keyboard), Ida Klemann (vocals, 1975-83), Pia Cohn (vocals, 1983-), Annapurna (vocals, 1975-79), Finn Jensen (guitar, 1974-77), Michael Miller (guitar, 1977-82), John Teglgaard (guitar, 1979-86), Torben Andersen (keyboard, 1974-79), Asger Skjold [Asger Skjold-Rasmussen] (bass, 1975-79), Knut Henriksen (bass, 1979-86), Mogens Fischer (drums, 1974-79), Jeppe Reipurth (drums, 1979-89)

Background

Bifrost formed in Copenhagen in 1974 when singer-pianist Tom Lundén teamed with guitarist-vocalist Finn Jensen.

Lundén grew up in the Nørrebro district as the son of jazz musician Arne Lundén. He took piano lessons and wrote songs from age thirteen. In the late 1960s, he played in Dig og Mig og Solskin, the resident band at the countercultural center Projekt Hus. Lundén met Jensen at the same venue, which became Huset in Magstræde.

Lundén and keyboardist Torben Andersen also played in the final Alrune Rod lineup behind the 1974 album 4-Vejs. Jensen played alongside Alrune members Leif Roden and Ole Poulsen in Kalechen. Bifrost assembled a seven-piece lineup with singers Ida Klemann and Annapurna, bassist Asger Skjold-Rasmussen, and drummer Mogens Fischer. Annapurna also performed as a dancer. Lundén named the group after the bridge in Norse mythology that connects the realms of gods and humans.

On October 27, 1975, Bifrost opened for Blue Öyster Cult at Tivoli Concert Hall in Copenhagen. The group secured a CBS contract for a proposed double album under record executive Poul Bruun. In spring 1976, Lundén and Klemann proposed a benefit compilation for the Christiania commune, which faced closure by Danish authorities. Bruun agreed to allocate reserved studio time to the project.

Bifrost recorded “Titusind folk” for the Christiania compilation and accompanied guest singers Sebastian, Povl Dissing, and Annisette Koppel on Lundén’s “I kan ikke slå os ihjel” [You Cannot Kill Us]. The latter appeared under the collective name Det Internationale Sigøjnerkompagni, with each guest singer taking a verse. On July 2, 1976, Bifrost appeared at the Roskilde Festival, which also featured sets by Gnags, Røde Mor, and the international acts Magma and Weather Report.

Bifrost recorded their first album with producer Leif Roden at Rosenberg Studio in March and Sweet Silence Studios from July through August.

Discography:

Bifrost (1976)
Til en sigøjner… (2LP, 1977)
Læn Dem ikke ud (1979)
Kassen & hjertet (1981)
En tro kopi (1982)
Bifrost (1984)
Vand jeg kan gå på (1987)

Research notes

Sangsmeden på Kongens Mark. Torben Holleufer, Magasinet Bornholm, autumn 2020, pp. 40–42. Interview with Tom Lundén covering his family background, early piano lessons, Dig og Mig og Solskin, the meeting with Finn Jensen, the CBS contract, and the Christiania recording project. The principal firsthand account for the background. (Magasinet Bornholm, PDF)
Nekrolog: Leif Roden er død, 62 år. Torben Holleufer, May 2010. Establishes the connections between Alrune Rod, Kalechen, Finn Jensen, Tom Lundén, Ida Klemann, and producer Leif Roden. (GAFFA)
Alrune Rod – Sonet Årene 69–72. Historical notes covering the 1974 4-Vejs lineup and the March 29, 1975 farewell concert at Klub Tatuba, both involving Lundén and Torben Andersen. (Cabeza de Moog)
Bifrost – rockgruppe. Anders Nygaard, Danish national encyclopedia entry. Confirms the 1974 formation and identifies Lundén and Klemann among the founders. (Lex)
Blue Öyster Cult Concerts 1970s. Tour chronology identifying Bifrost as the opening act at Tivoli Concert Hall on October 27, 1975. (Concerts Wiki)
Koncertplakater. Danish concert-poster archive listing Bifrost at Roskilde on July 2, 1976, together with performances at Bagsværd Sø and Thylejren. (Koncertplakater.dk)
I kan ikke slå os ihjel (Christiania). Song history identifying Lundén as composer and lyricist and detailing the Bifrost accompaniment, three lead singers, and Christiania chorus. (Højskolesangbogen)
Christiania (1976). Original CBS compilation tracklist confirming Bifrost’s “Titusind folk” and the separate credit for Det Internationale Sigøjnerkompagni. (RecordPusher)
Bifrost (CBS 81551). Transcription of original LP credits identifying Leif Roden as producer, Poul Bruun as executive producer, and recording sessions at Rosenberg Studio in March 1976 and Sweet Silence Studios in July–August 1976. (Plademesser)