Carpark North is a Danish electronic rock band. The band was formed in Aarhus, Denmark on 28 July 1999 by Lau Højen (vocal, guitar), Søren Balsner (bass, synthesisers) and Morten Thorhauge (drums). The name "Carpark North" was created from the electro and rock genres: "Carpark" stands for car parks, edges, roughness, metal – the rock part, and "North" stands for northern lights, stars ethereal electronics.

History

The foundation for Carpark North was laid at Mellerup Efterskole, where Søren Balsner and Lau Højen met and formed a band. This band played in the national championship in rock in 1997.

Søren and Lau split up after Mellerup, and Lau started his education at high school – Aarhus Katedralskole. Here he joined a band – "Spacekraft" and met Morten Thorhauge a young drummer from Søften. After a couple of months Lau and Morten formed their own band, and contacted Søren.

The first notes by Carpark North were played on a hot summer day in July 1999 in the MGK-facilities in Aarhus, Denmark.

In January 2010, the band announced that they had been signed internationally by Sony Music.

In 2016, the band released "Unbreakable," the theme song for LEGO's Nexo Knights television series.

Members

  • Lau Højen – vocals, guitar
  • Søren Balsner – bass, synths, vocals
  • Morten Thorhauge – drums

Awards

  • Danish Music Awards (2006) – Video of the Year ("Human"), directed by Martin de Thurah
  • Robert (2004) – Best Film Score ("Transparent & Glasslike")
  • Zulu Award (2003) – Newcomer of the Year
  • P3 Guld (2003) – Hit of the Year ("Transparent & Glasslike")
  • Gaffa Prisen (2003) – Newcomer of the Year
  • P3 Prisen (2001) – Newcomer MP3 Prisen

Appearances in media

  • TV show Alias (2005) – with the song "Homeland" from Carpark North.
  • Video game FIFA 08 (2007) – with the song "Human" from All Things to All People.
  • Film Midsommer (2003) – Carpark North's debut Carpark North was chosen to be the official soundtrack for the film.
  • Film Nordkraft (2005)

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
DEN
Carpark NorthReleased: 26 February 2003 Label: EMI1
All Things to All PeopleReleased: 25 April 2005 Label: EMI4
GratefulReleased: 8 September 2008 Label: Copenhagen Records5
LostReleased: 27 August 2010 Label: Sony Music
PhoenixReleased: 27 January 2014 Label: Copenhagen Records/Universal Music4
HopeReleased: 27 October 2017 Label: Copenhagen Records/Universal Music4
AirReleased: 4 April 2025 Label: United Records/Universal Music28

Compilation albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
DEN
Best Days (Greatest & Live)Released: 1 November 2010 Label: Copenhagen Records10

EPs

  • Carstereo (2000) (demo)
  • 40 Days EP (2002)

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
DEN Singles ChartDEN P3 Tjeklisten
"There's a Place"2001Non-album single
"40 Days"200240 Days EP
"Transparent & Glasslike"200324[+]1Carpark North
"Wild Wonders"1
"Kiss Me"5
"Human"200591All Things to All People
"Best Day"2
"Fireworks"8
"Song About Us" (Live in Copenhagen)Non-album single
"The Beasts"20064All Things to All People
"Shall We Be Grateful"200852Grateful
"More"226
"Save Me From Myself"2009122
"Leave My Place"17
"Lost (Peace)"2010Lost
"Just Human"
"Burn It"27Best Days (Greatest & Live)
"Leave My Place" (re-release)2011Lost
"Everything Starts Again"34Best Days (Greatest & Live)
"Army of Open Arms"201325Phoenix
"32" (featuring Stine Bramsen)5
"You're My Fire" (featuring Nik & Jay)201422
"Renegade"38
"Unbreakable"2016Non-album singles
"Heroes" (with Samu Haber)2018
"If I Were Your King"2023
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Notes

  • + – "Transparent & Glasslike" didn't chart on the Danish Singles Chart until in 2009.

External links