Goodiepal is Kristian Vester, aka Mainpal Inv and Gamers in Exile, an enigmatic producer from Denmark, now living in the Faroe Islands. Vester established his reputation with a string of 7"s, EPs and split releases, most of them self-published picture disks in a style dubbed as post-digital folk. His music incorporates elements of European folk with acoustic instruments, videogame soundtracks, phone sounds, and IDM. His divergent interests in electronic production and romantic, acoustic folk music come together in an eclectic and original sound informed by place and context.
 
Originally from a small town in the north of Denmark, an early encounter with a friend’s commodore 64 in the late eighties led to an interest in electronic music, and when only sixteen Vester started releasing tracks as Goodiepal on small labels. He later worked as sound designer for companies such as Nokia, Carlsberg, Hitachi and Bang and Olufsen, scoring adverts and sound logos which he then released as ‘dub’ version 7”s complete with company logo graphics.
 
His use of corporate material led to many questions about his intentions, “Was this a critique? Was this sabotage? Was this a way to take back something that he didn't want to let get away? Was it just a theatrical gesture?” asked the jury of the prestigious Ars Electronica award when granting him an honorary mention in 2002.
 
Goodiepal has associations with Tigerbeat6, where he has contributed tracks to label compilations; V/Vm, who recently put the Goodiepal back catalogue online, and Dat Politics, who released Vester’s 2002 debut full-length album, Narc Beacon. Vester recently mastered a Philip Samartzis and Danish composer Rasmus B Lunding collaboration (Touch Parking, Synesthesia, 2005) as well designing the vinyl artwork for the release. In late 2005, a foam covered Goodiepal album was released on Staalplaat’s esteemed Mort Aux Vaches.
 
Vester is in a folk rock group called Danmarks Ælste Sangskat, he plays recorder and mandolin and often incorporates music boxes, whistles and other noise-makers into his frequent live performances.
 
> www.ski-pp.com/goodiepal.html
> www.myspace.com/goodiepal
 
Appearances:
> CTM.09 > RADICAL COMPUTER MUSIC AND THE WAR ON THE SCANDINAVIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM
> CTM.09 > IN THE GRIM DARKNESS OF THE FAR FUTURE, THERE IS ONLY WAR
> CTM.06