BRIS

- new album from Nils Økland

Monday November the 8 th at 7.00 p.m. Nils Økland releases his third album, BRIS, at Deichmann.

Nils Økland is an innovative violinist and Hardanger fiddle specialist who is creatively expanding the range of the traditional music of his homeland. He is a renewer of folk music, consistently building bridges to classical, contemporary and improvised musics. His playing combines freedom with respect for Norway’s musical heritage. He is concerned both with the preservation of the oral folk music tradition and with the experimental possibilities of the music when it is charged with modern impulses.

”Bris”, meaning ”Breeze”, is Økland´s third album, his second for Rune Grammofon, and the first where practically all the material is written by himself. This is quite unusual for the genre, but only emphasizes his interest to move in new directions and to explore new possibilities in his instruments and his playing, both solo and with a group. The group assembled for this recording is in itself ample proof of genre crossing, with Sigbjørn Apeland (harmonium) the only one left from previous albums ”Blå Harding” and ”Straum” (RCD 2015). Per Oddvar Johansen ( percussion) and Mats Eilertsen (double bass) are young veterans of the flowering Norwegian jazz scene, while Håkon Stene (persussion), who appeared on Jono El Grande´s ”Fevergreens” (RCD 2031), comes from the classical world. Parts of the album are based on music Økland wrote for ”Melankolia", a play based on Jon Fosse´s novel about the Norwegian painter Lars Hertervig (1830-1902).

About the previous album
If this is holy music, it is for a space church, at once ethereal and heartily substantial. The Wire (UK)
Heartfelt and fiery, the most exciting energy centre in Norwegian folkmusic. Dagbladet (NO)
Extraordinary, genuine and exciting. Aftenposten (NO)
Beautiful and magical, Øklands music has real substance. Dagsavisen (NO)
Historically, it's musicians like Nils Økland that will be remembered as pioneers. Spelemannsbladet (NO)
The highlights are so many that picking favourites is difficult. Warmly recommended. Morgenbladet (NO)
A series of exquisite moments. FolkRoots (UK)

Lydeksempel: Blond Blå
(Mp3-format. Mp3-spelarar kan hentast gratis fra www.mp3.com)