Madrugada

Madrugada ("early morning" in spanish and portuguese) is a Norwegian rock band formed in 1995 who hail from a little place called Stokmarknes in Vesteraalen. The band's members include Frode Jacobsen (bass), Sivert Høyem (vocals) and Robert Burås (guitar, 12-8-1975 / 12-7-2007 R.I.P.) Simen Vangen replaced Jon Lauvland Pettersen, a founding member of Madrugada. Lauvland Pettersen left the band in 2002 after their second album (The Nightly Disease) and is currently playing in the band Milestone Refinery. In 2005, Vangen announced that he was leaving and stated he wanted to focus on various jazz projects, things that did not fit together with being a member of Madrugada. However, he will continue to collaborate with Sivert Høyem in The Opposition. On the final tour, and the two last albums, Erland Dalen played drums. Madrugada finished recording their fourth album - The Deep End - late in 2004 and it was released on 28 February 2005 in Norway, on 31 March in the rest of Europe and finally in the US on 11 April. A radio single entitled "The Kids Are on High Street" was released for domestic radio play on January 14. A music video for the single was also filmed in London. On 14th December 2005, Madrugada released their first live album - Live at Tralfamadore. Tralfamadore is the fictional home planet of aliens from several novels by the American author Kurt Vonnegut. By the end of 2005 - less than a month after its release - it became 2005's best selling album in Norway with The Deep End as the runner-up. The year was capped off with Madrugada winning three awards at the annual Spellemannprisen - the Norwegian equivalent of the Grammys. They won for Best Rock Album, Best Song and Spellemann of the Year. In Spanish and Portuguese, "Madrugada" means the first hours of the morning; the grey period from 1 am to 6 am. On July 12th 2007 Madrugadas guitarist Robert Burås was found dead in his apartment in Oslo. The reason of his early passing is still unknown, but the police do not suspect any criminal acts to be involved. Burås was known for his hard lifestyle, but his death still came as a shock. Burås' record-company EMI released a press statement translated from Norwegian as follows: "Our dear friend, Robert Burås, passed away 12.07.07. He was 31 years old. Robert dedicated his life to music. He was a guitarist and songwriter for Madrugada for 12 years. He spent the last year with his own band My Midnight Creeps, as well as songwriting and recording a new Madrugada album. Robert passed away at a time when he was at his most creative. Through what he's done on albums, and on stage, both domestic and foreign, he has left his very own touch on Norwegian rock history. Everyone who worked together with Robert will remember him as a warm and loving person who had music in his veins. There are alot of us who love Robert, and has taken this day with extreme sadness. Robert will always be a part of us, and he will be deeply missed. Our thoughts go to his closest family. We offer our deepest condolances to Roberts friends and family, and wish to support them through this tough time." Madrugada went out on one last tour, which started on May 1st in Holland, and ended November 15th in Oslo Spektrum. This last gig was called "The Last Supper". The last concerts were canceled, without any clear reason.