Bernhoft

Islander (Big Picnic)

A household name in his native Norway, Bernhoft has made inroads in the U.S. with distinctly left-of-center blue-eyed soul. His live sets pivot on looping and layering acoustic guitar, beat boxing, soul claps, and a piercing falsetto. There’s more than a touch of Mayer Hawthorne to Bernhoft, but most obvious muse Stevie Wonder colors the entirety of third LP Islander even though it’s Carole King getting name-checked on the slinky funk of “Everything Will Be Alright.” The slick, uptempo groove of opener “Come Around With Me” sets the breezy vibe invoked by the album’s title, while mid-Seventies Wonder informs “Freedom” and synthy Prince soul coats “One Way Track” purple. Neo soul staple Jill Scott duets on slow jam “No Us, No them.” Loop pedal wizardry: “Esiwalk” and “Wind You Up.” (2pm, BMI stage)

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This article appears in October 3 • 2014.

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Thomas Fawcett has been freelancing for The Austin Chronicle since 2007. He likes good music and does not fake the funk.