by James Christopher Monger
Indie rock outfit I Was a King was formed in Oslo, Norway by singer/songwriter/guitarist Frode Strmstad in 2006. Taking a cue from stalwart, 90s shoegaze acts like Teenage Fanclub and My Bloody Valentine, as well as lo-fi, power pop icons Guided by Voices and psychedelic rock royalty the Creation and Strawberry Alarm Clock, Stromstad released I Was a King's debut Losing Something Good for Something Better in 2007. The album received accolades in both its Scandinavian homeland, as well as in the British press. 2009's eponymous sophomore effort featured appearances by Emil Nikolaisen (Serena Maneesh), Sufjan Stevens, Daniel Smith (Danielson Famile), and Gary Olson (Ladybug Transistor).