Famlende Forsøk was formed in 1981 and came out of the scene around the cassette label SHiT Tapes from the Arendal area in the south of Norway. The original line-up stands today: the duo of Lumpy Davy and ChrispH creates the music and intergalactic poet Brt provides his vocals with highly idiosyncratic lyrics.
Famlende Forsøk's music draws influences from several sources - coming out of late 70's industrial noise/cut-up experimental music they fuse their sound with equal parts psychedelia, progressive rock, free jazz, minimalism, ambient, Norwegian folk and eastern classical music.
In contrast to their contemporaries who churned out releases, Famlende Forsøk are known to take their time even their early cassettes were meticulous put together with a careful attention to detail. In fact, in their 33 years 'Washing China' is Famlende Forsøk's third LP following 'Art Transmutatoria' from 1990 and 'One Night I had a Frightful Dream' (a concept album dedicated to H.P.Lovecraft) from 2001.
In 2009 Famlende Forsøk were invited to perform at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. The band chose to present new material and the concert was recorded. Then followed a period of five years of studio post-production in which the live recording provided the backbone to what is now ready as their new album: 'Washing China'. The process of finishing the album was so complex that engineeer and producer Cato Langnes became a new member of the band.
'Washing China' is unmistakenly Famlende Forsøk - layers of acoustic and electronic instruments are carefully waved together creating rich atmospheric and bizarre music of great depth. Brt's lyrics are in Norwegian, but the album provides extended translations and footnotes in English, providing some guidance into the world of Famlende Forsøk for non-Norwegians.