'Katzenjammer' is, the internet advises, German for 'cat's wail' and is often applied to the bewildered fug of a particularly effective hangover. In some respects, it describes the Norwegian all-girl four-piece of the same name well.

They constantly switch instruments, try out new ones (often using up to 25) and blend a whole range of styles and influences. The result could be a post-booze sick-in-the-mouth of musical caterwauling but, in fact, works just fine. And it is credit to the vision and musicianship of Anne, Marianne, Solveig and Turid that is does. Check out the video of A Bar in Amsterdam if you don't believe us...

Formed in Oslo in 2005, Katzenjammer blend folk, pop and rock with distinctive Balkan flavours, all sung in English. Their debut album was 2008's Le Pop, making the Top Ten in Norway. Last year's follow-up, A Kiss Before You Go, again received favourable reviews and, unburdened here by meddlesome 'Sound of...' accolades, the four-piece are continuing their slow burn into 2012.

This week, they've been nominated for a prestigious German Echo award, in the Best International Rock/Pop Group, alongside Coldplay, Snow Patrol and Roxette, and it has also been confirmed that they will be playing live on BBC Breakfast in early May, shortly before kicking off their short UK tour.

The jaunt begins in Bristol on 17th May, followed by Manchester's Academy 3 and the O2 Academy in Birmingham, before the final date announced so far at Concorde 2 in Brighton on 22nd May 2012.

We will have tickets available from 3pm on Friday 9th May, priced just £7.50. Later this month, the girls are playing London's Scala (on Thursday 22nd March), we have tickets available now priced £12.50.

Go - there can be little doubt it'll be fun. Just don't forget the Alka Seltzer.