Tellé Records

Tellé Records is a Norwegian independent record label and retail store founded by Mikal Telle in 1998. Based in Bergen, the label became a defining force in the city's electronic music scene, often credited with launching the so-called "Bergen wave" (Bergensbølgen). Its early catalogue featured artists such as Bjørn Torske, Erot, Annie, Röyksopp, and Ralph Myerz and the Jack Herren Band, many of whom went on to international recognition. The label's original concept was to release its first ten titles as 7-inch vinyl singles with large jukebox holes, designed to be collected in a special box. The first release, TELLÉ 001, appeared in a plain white sleeve, but the concept quickly evolved. Röyksopp's debut single "So Easy" (TELLÉ 002) came in a picture cover designed by Bjørn Torske, and subsequent releases by Annie, Bjørn Torske, and Ralph Myerz followed. The label's commercial and critical breakthrough came in 2000 with TELLÉ 007, the compilation "Tellé Samleplate," which was paradoxically the label's first CD release and became both a sales success and a critical favourite. Mikal Telle was hailed as the father of the Bergen wave and received the Bergen Municipality Artist Prize in 2002. In 2004, Tellé Records faced serious financial difficulties and had to lay off all its employees. After releasing Kaptein Kaliber's album "LP! Digitalt Remastret," the label entered a long dormant period. It revived in August 2007 with releases by American duo Matt & Kim and Swedish act Familjen. The label's logo was designed by Tore Kroknes (DJ Erot), who was also responsible for much of the label's early cover art and died in 2001. Tellé Records operates several sub-labels: Éllet (pop), Primitive Records (punk), Footnotes (house), and Tellektro (electro). The label also runs a retail store, House of Tellé, which sells records and merchandise.

Tellé Records was founded in 1998 by Mikal Telle in Bergen, Norway. The label's original concept was to release its first ten titles as 7-inch vinyl singles with large jukebox holes, intended to be collected in a special box. The first release, TELLÉ 001, was a split single by The Torske/Mundal Explosion and Erot, issued in a plain white sleeve. However, by the second release, the label began to move away from the jukebox single club concept. Röyksopp's debut release "So Easy" (TELLÉ 002) came in a picture cover designed by Bjørn Torske, and vinyl releases by Annie, Bjørn Torske, and Ralph Myerz and the Jack Herren Band followed. The label's major breakthrough came in 2000 with its seventh release, the compilation "Tellé Samleplate" (TELLÉ 007). Paradoxically, it was the label's first CD release. The compilation, featuring tracks from the first vinyl singles plus a few bonus tracks, became both a commercial success and a critical favourite. Following this release, Mikal Telle was hailed as the father of the Bergen wave (Bergensbølgen) and in 2002 received the Artist Prize from the City of Bergen. In 2004, Tellé Records encountered significant financial difficulties and was forced to lay off all its employees. After releasing Kaptein Kaliber's album "LP! Digitalt Remastret" (TELLÉ 024), the label entered a long dormant period. Activity resumed in August 2007 when Tellé Records revived and released albums by American duo Matt & Kim (TELLÉ 025) and Swedish act Familjen (TELLÉ 026). The label continued to release music, including singles by Young Dreams and Bloody Beach. The label's logo was designed by Tore Kroknes (DJ Erot), who was also responsible for much of the label's early cover design and was an important figure in its early phase. Tore Kroknes died in 2001. Tellé Records operates several sub-labels: Éllet (pop), Primitive Records (punk), Footnotes (house), and Tellektro (electro). The Éllet sub-label released early singles by Kings of Convenience, among others. The label also runs a retail store, House of Tellé, which sells records and merchandise.

• 2007

  Label revives in August with releases by Matt & Kim and Familjen.

• 2004

  Tellé Records faces financial difficulties and lays off all employees; enters dormancy after releasing Kaptein Kaliber's "LP! Digitalt Remastret".

• 2002

  Mikal Telle receives the Artist Prize from the City of Bergen.

• 2001

  Tore Kroknes (DJ Erot), designer of the label's logo and early cover art, dies.

• 2000

  Compilation "Tellé Samleplate" (TELLÉ 007) released; becomes label's first CD and a commercial and critical success.

• 1999

  Röyksopp's debut single "So Easy" (TELLÉ 002) released with picture cover designed by Bjørn Torske.

• 1998

  Tellé Records founded by Mikal Telle in Bergen, Norway.

• 1998

  First release TELLÉ 001 (The Torske/Mundal Explosion/Erot – Splitt 7") issued.

Independent label and retail store at the heart of the Bergen electronic music scene, known for launching the 'Bergen wave'.

• TELLÉ 001 – The Torske/Mundal Explosion/Erot – Splitt 7"

• TELLÉ 002 – Röyksopp – So Easy 7"

• TELLÉ 003 – Annie – The Greatest Hit 7"

• TELLÉ 004 – Ralph Myerz & The Jack Herren Band – Nikita 7"

• TELLÉ 005 – Annie – The Greatest Hit 12"

• TELLÉ 006 – Bjørn Torske – Disco Members 7"

• TELLÉ 007 – V/A – Tellé Samleplate CD

• TELLÉ 008 – Ralph Myerz & The Jack Herren Band – Nikita 12"

• TELLÉ 009 – Röyksopp – Eple 7"

• TELLÉ 010 – Basecamp Wolf – First Base On The Moon 7"

• TELLÉ 011 – Bjørn Torske – Hard Trafikk 10"/CD

• TELLÉ 012 – Bjørn Torske – Trøbbel 2xLP/CD

• TELLÉ 013 – Bjørn Torske – Nedi Myra CD

• TELLÉ 014 – Annie – I Will Get On 7"

• TELLÉ 015 – Kaptein Kaliber – Pop Ultra 12"

• TELLÉ 016 – Uusi Fantasia – Takaisin 10"

• TELLÉ 017 – Toy – Rabbit Pushing Mower 7"

• TELLÉ 018 – Fredrik Saroea feat. Annie – I Will Always Remember You 7"

• TELLÉ 021 – Kaptein Kaliber – Pop Ultra 2 12"

• TELLÉ 022 – Uusi Fantasia – Top Ten 2xLP/CD

• TELLÉ 023 – Kaptein Kaliber – Pop Ultra 2b 12"

• TELLÉ 024 – Kaptein Kaliber – LP! Digitalt Remastret 2xLP/CD

• TELLÉ 025 – Matt & Kim – Matt & Kim CD

• TELLÉ 026 – Familjen – Det Snurrar I Min Skalle CD

1. 1tellerecords - Homehouseoftelle.com
2. 2Tellé Records - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Tellé Records - Wikipedia (Norwegian)no.wikipedia.org