Rising star in the Norwegian bluesscene, Marius Lien, is releasing his long awaited debut album today!

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Marius Lien has already been recognized as a new rising star in the Norwegian blues scene, and for a good reason. On this very day he´s releasing his debut album "The Woodland Songbook Part 1", which he has also produced and recorded himself. The album was recorded close to where Marius Lien grew up in Vormsund, in a studio in the barn of Lien's grandparents. The name Woodland Songbook comes from the fact that the studio is on a small farm close to nature.The idyllic setting have influenced the recording process with an overall calmness; Lien started the recording in 2021 and every song has been worked with down to every detail.

"The Woodland Songbook Part 1" is an introduction to Marius' creative universe. The name is a tribute to the place Lien is from. The album is innovative and modern, while at the same time having strong roots in the traditional and timeless blues. As his own producer and engineer, he has not had to limit his personal expression, learning to record on his own and experimenting with sounds. This is clearly evident on the varied debut album, where there is everything from classic blues-driven tunes to psychedelic rock gems.

The guitar is a central part of his songwriting, ever since he was a child. With a family that has had a strong relationship to the Blues genre, it has been an essential part of growing up. For Marius Lien, his fascination with guitar playing also started early.

- I got a guitar just before I was born, and played air guitar when I was 2 years old. I first started learning chords when I was 9 years old. Blues music was always available, and I already loved it already as a 2/3 year old, and got really into it again as a 10 year old. I started writing songs almost as soon as I started learning guitar. Don't know why I started writing my own songs, but for some reason it felt natural.

As a active musician, many of the songs have gradually taken shape as they've been played live on a number of concert stages across the country. 

With a lot of great rolemodels and sources of inspiration close at hand, both Marius's family and colleagues have been supportive about his choice of musical style and path. Since he was a child, the blues has always been a big part of everyday life. With a musical father who introduced him to the genre and took him to a number of blues festivals. In addition to musicians in the local community, such as blues guitarist Amund Maarud as a role model and the legendary Vidar Busk as a mentor. Busk has been involved in the studio process both as a contributor and advisor. Lien talks about how Vidar Busk has been a key person in his creative process:

- Vidar Busk has been a hero of mine since I was really young and has recently become a colleague, mentor and comrade. We have spent a lot of time together both on stage and in the studio and he has taught me a great deal about important things both as a musician and a as a person. 

In addition to contributing in many ways -  several friends and relatives have also been involved as musicians on the record: 

- My father Rune Lien on harmonica and grandmother Bjørg Sannerud on accordion!

Martin Morland on bass, Ola Øverby on drums, Vidar Busk on choir, Bill Troiani on bass and Marius Elfstedt on keys. And bassist Kim André Tønnesen and drummer Knærten Simonsen are contributing on two songs.

Mixing is also done by the young and promising Marius Elfstedt. Mastering by Espen Høydalsvik at Oslo Fuzz.

Lien has been at the Notodden Blues Festival almost every year since he started playing guitar, and has also studied blues in Notodden himself in the University there. Therefore, it is natural that the release concert will be at the Notodden Blues Festival today.