Collage: Unveiling A Sonic Odyssey. Remarkable improvisations in Erlend Apneseth Trio's new album are a rush of creative excess.
The latest album release by acclaimed Norwegian band Erlend Apneseth Trio is made in collaboration with renowned experimental composer and vocalist Maja Ratkje. Their impromptu concert together in 2022 was a glorious kick-off for a five-day festival and was luckily put on tape. After reworking and reimagining the recorded material with their steady collaborator Jørgen Træen, the result is a refreshing take on improvisations-turned-compositions. Featuring innovative soundscapes with archival material and an engaging transitory state.

The variety of sounds that make up this glorious and aptly named 'Collage' is astounding. Elemental sounds range from the howling wind and soft-bright ringing of sheep-bells to the timeless trickling of a small stream of water. Strings of many timbres soar over animated croaks and quacks, assembling into a swampy symphony. The well-balanced diversity of acoustic and electric sounds has become the band's trademark. It is ever-present, complementing and creating new improvisatory trails to follow.
The vocal work is of particular interest and acts as our vessel and guide along the journey, sometimes transforming seamlessly from and into other non-human noises with its chants and intonations. The meeting with Ratkje has clearly influenced Erlend Apneseth Trio to explore new musical areas, leaning into noise, contemporary classical music, and beyond. It shows how the trio is brimming with the ability and will to continually push themselves into new areas and be curious. It is the reason they have been nominated for a Norwegian Grammy in the "open category" for all their previous four albums, where "Salika, Molika" won and became runner-up for the Nordic Music Prize.
The shifting nature of the work is its most prominent and compelling aspect, as well as an ever-present state of transition that remains unpredictable throughout the journey. Building tensions keep you on the edge of the experience; even in the most intense moments, sounds are well-spaced and balanced, never collapsing into chaos. The result is a remarkable album beyond genres, where a spontaneous meeting has uncovered the music of our time.

Erlend Apneseth: Hardanger fiddle
Stephan Meidell: baritone acoustic guitar, live sampling, modular synth
Øyvind Hegg-Lunde: acoustic & electronic drums, percussion, timpani
Maja S. K. Ratkje: voice, electronics
All music made by Apneseth/Meidell/Hegg-Lunde/Ratkje
Keywords
Contacts
Jade Marie Hasselgård
Tel:+47 952 21 196jade@grappa.noImages
Links
About Grappa
Grappa Musikkforlag was established in 1983, and is the oldest and largest independent record company in Norway. Home of many prestigious labels including Hubro, Simax Classics, Odin, Blue Mood, Heilo, Barneselskapet and Grappa label. Close collaborations with other strong indies, including Rune Grammofon and Drabant. A wide variety of genres includes jazz, folk, classical, contemporary, pop, rock, blues, singer/songwriter – all from Norwegian artists of the highest quality.
Alternative languages
Subscribe to releases from Sounds Like Gold
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Sounds Like Gold by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Sounds Like Gold
«Twins of Træna» – en varm og billedrik førstesingel fra Trond Kallevågs kommende album - ute i dag12.9.2025 09:05:00 CEST | Pressemelding
Under et kunstneropphold på Træna oppdaget Trond Kallevåg en samling unike gamle sort-hvitt-fotografier – og en søskenhistorie som aldri ble fullført. Nå blir den til lyd, i første singel fra det kommende albumet Minnesota.
Trond Kallevåg Releases First Single “Twins of Træna” from Upcoming Album Minnesota12.9.2025 09:05:00 CEST | Press release
During an artist residency on Træna, Trond Kallevåg discovered a collection of unique old black-and-white photographs – and a sibling story that was never completed. Now it is transformed into sound, in the first single from his upcoming album Minnesota.
Nytt album fra Liv Andrea Hauge Trio utforsker følelsen av å være «døgnvill»5.9.2025 09:05:00 CEST | Pressemelding
I dag slipper Liv Andrea Hauge Trio sitt tredje album Døgnville på plateselskapet Hubro. Albumet utforsker tilstanden av å være «døgnvill» – et begrep som beskriver følelsen av å være ute av takt med tid og virkelighet, som ved jetlag eller søvnløshet. Musikken beveger seg i dette rommet mellom struktur og frihet, bevissthet og drøm.
Liv Andrea Hauge Trio releases “Døgnville” – a journey between dream and reality5.9.2025 09:05:00 CEST | Press release
Today, Liv Andrea Hauge Trio releases their third album, Døgnville, on Norwegian label Hubro. The record explores the feeling of being “døgnvill” – a Norwegian term describing the sensation of being out of sync with time and reality, like during jet lag or insomnia. The music inhabits this liminal space between structure and freedom, consciousness and dream.
Yngvil løper "Maraton" - ny låt med treffsikker tekst om eksistensiell krise i joggesko5.9.2025 09:00:00 CEST | Pressemelding
Visepopstjerna Yngvil slipper låta "Maraton" - i morgen står hun klar på startstreken til sitt første halvmaraton!
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom