Gangar Reimagine the Traditional Tune “BomBom” Featuring Synnøve Brøndbo Plassen and Karl Seglem

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Gangar first heard “Bom Bom” on Synnøve Brøndbo Plassen’s solo album Hjemve, and immediately felt it was a tune they wanted to arrange. “Bombom” is said to have gotten its name from a blind folk musician who walked around humming the melody with the words “bom bom didelidei” — a sung echo from Norway’s folk tradition that now takes on a new form.

“There was no doubt that if we were going to arrange this tune, we had to include Synnøve,” the band says.

On “BomBom”, Synnøve Brøndbo Plassen and Martin Steinum Brun contribute vocals, joined by Karl Seglemon bukkehorn (goat horn). Martin and Synnøve trall (vocally “tune” the melody) in interplay with fiddle and saxophone in traditional fashion, while Gangar’s distinctive, marked and subdivided rhythmic accompaniment creates a driving and unpredictable foundation.

“We quickly realized we wanted Karl on the track. Introducing unique, traditional Norwegian instruments to an international audience is important to us, and the bukkehorn became a natural part of this record. Karl is both a good friend and a huge inspiration, so we greatly appreciated that he said yes,” the band says.

The arrangement was developed by Mattias Truell Thedens and Jonas Thrana Jensen, with Richard Max responsible for the intro and the mid-section. The intro consists of accents from the rhythm section with swung triplets as the subdivision, and it’s crooked enough to throw off most listeners out there.

“The riff in ‘Bom Bom’ is easily among the top 20 hardest riffs listeners can look forward to on our next album — and that says something!” the band smiles.

Producer Håkon Iversen has stitched the arrangement together and contributed significantly to the instrumentation and dynamics, especially in the open, atmospheric section before the track’s climax. Simon Jackman was behind the controls and has elevated the overall result with musical input and creative use of effects.

“This is one of the more intricate and thoughtfully crafted arrangements on the album, and we’re really excited to get this track out into the world. A perfect start to 2026 for us!”

Norway's Gangar brings a fresh take on Nordic roots music. The young, five-piece ensemble digs deep into Norway's extensive folk music archives to come up with rare traditional tunes. -- and give them new, modern arrangements influenced by rock, folk-metal, and jazz improvisation. Inspired by such artists as Hoven Droven, Meshuggah, and AC/DC, Gangar's sound is driven by the unique sound of Norway's Hardanger fiddle. Once vilified as "the devil's instrument" in folktales and banned in churches, the hardanger is now celebrated as the country's national instrument, and gives Gangar its distinctive sound. The band's mission is to bring traditional Norwegian melodies a wider audience. 

Since their first concert in 2021, Oslo-based Gangar have established themselves as one of Norway’s most in-demand musical exports; with a fresh, original take on traditional Norwegian folk and roots music. Gangar’s five members, Mattias Truell Thedens (Hardanger fiddle), Oskar Goedvriend Lindberget (saxophone), Richard Max (guitar), Jonas Thrana Jensen (bass), and Henrik Dullum (drums), bring an array of musical styles and expertise to bear on their music, creating a unique, hybrid approach to traditional folk music.

Gangar are known as a formidable live band that consistently delivers shows filled with energy, audience interaction, dancing, and top-shelf musicianship. This combination makes it hard for any audience to keep their feet off of the dance floor. They’ve forged a deep bond with audiences at home and abroad, playing shows all over Europe, Australia, and the USA at renowned festivals and venues such as Rudolstadt Festival in Germany, Sziget Festival in Hungary, Celtic Connections in Scotland, and Port Fairy Folk Festival in Australia.