Gubbe – What could possibly go wrong (2026)
They say that you are never too old to try new things – Bent Olav Olsen is the embodiment of an old dog learning new tricks. Releasing music in the autumn of his life, Olsen, performing as Gubbe (roughly translated as “old guy”), packs 60 years of life experience into moving melodies. With one foot in the past and another in the present, Gubbe oscillates from energetic alternative rock to whimsical post-punk, and a couple of other rock-tinged tones lurking in the void. The latest addition to his discography is the single, ‘What could possibly go wrong’.
Following his debut single, ‘No day for gray’, ‘What could possibly go wrong’ is the musical expression of that shrug and half-smile asking “what could go wrong” before engaging in the most ridiculous things. Shark diving, storm chasing, base jumping, bear hugging – all the highly dangerous ideas on your bucket list – I mean, what could possibly go wrong with any of that stuff that you’ve probably never tried before? Gubbe shares, ”…a song about bad ideas, questionable decisions, and the peculiar human ability to carry on regardless.”
Produced, mixed and mastered at Velvet Recording by Christer Krogh, ‘What could possibly go wrong’ is a few minutes of alternative rock meets indie-rock music that was “recorded with a group of friends…giving the track a loose, full-band feeling” – and you really hear the camaraderie in its flowing, chilled-out, sitting around the campfire attitude.
From the outset, Eiliv Sagrusten’s drum beats in the background – steady but with the hint of a pounding crash. Erik Lysøe’s bass walks along, keeping time, while Jan Lysøe’s synths sweep in the underbelly. An interplay of Olsen, Knut Veiluf Holme, and Carl Tore Gombos’ guitars weaves through the melody; kind of like a kaleidoscopic hum reaching everyone around the campfire with a warm, comforting vibe. Krogh’s percussion peeps from the sides, while Olsen’s heavy vocals are deliberately flat but simultaneously calming with a gritty tint.
Not overly energetic, but with passionate playfulness and cheeky grins, ‘What could possibly go wrong’ is upbeat yet staid. This is Gubbe’s second track, and I’m eager to hear more from the “old guy”.
Find out all about Gubbe on his official website, Facebook, Bandcamp and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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