Fresh folk rock meets legendary rockfolk - Gangar and Bare Egil release the party anthem “Eg er liten”

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The song tells the story of a small but boastful trickster who, with great seriousness – and a twinkle in his eye – recounts his alleged exploits with the women in his life. Some of the lyrics are in an old Norwegian dialect and can be difficult to interpret, such as the line “I like to ‘sulle’ with the girls.” Mattias Thedens says with a smile: “It’s hard to say exactly what ‘å sulle’ means, but I’m absolutely sure it’s perfectly innocent…”

Gangar dresses this little verse in an arrangement inspired by rockabilly and barn-dance energy, turning it into perhaps the most carefree and high-spirited track on their upcoming album. It’s full-on party mode, Hardanger fiddle, driving bass lines, and grins all around.

Musically, Gangar combines the traditional stev tunes “Trasjen” from Telemark (after Hillborg Romtveit) and “Eg er liten eg, eg er lageleg eg” after Magnus Øyslebø from Vest-Agder. These are interwoven with the Hardanger fiddle tune Øyslebø himself played with the stev, as well as “Halling after Olav Berge” from Telemark, learned by Mattias Thedens from Lars Erik Øygarden. The result is traditional material filtered through a playful and contemporary lens.

When Jonas Thrana Jensen (bass) and Mattias Thedens first presented the arrangement at rehearsal, the band’s reaction was unanimous: incredibly cheesy. But after some collective work and refinement, it quickly became one of the most fun songs in the set -L a future crowd favorite.

“Eg er liten” is the fourth and final single from Gangar’s second album, Dreng.

“It was very important for us to find a vocalist who matched the playful vibe of our arrangement. The fact that Egil wanted to join and had the opportunity was truly a dream – and he absolutely delivered!”

Egil adds: “By letting me be part of their album, Gangar has revitalized my career and made me relevant to a new generation and a new audience. For that, I am deeply grateful.”

With “Eg er liten,” Gangar proves that folk music can be raw, rocking, and laugh-out-loud funny – and that tradition and mischief go surprisingly well hand in hand.

About Gangar

Based in Oslo, Gangar is known for its uncompromising and high-energy approach to Norwegian folk music. With the Hardanger fiddle as their engine, the band revives rare traditional melodies and reshapes them into modern arrangements inspired by rock, folk metal, and jazz. Since their debut concert in 2021, Gangar has established itself as one of Norway’s most sought-after live acts internationally, performing at concerts and festivals across Europe, Australia, and the USA.

The single “Eg er liten” is part of Gangar’s upcoming album, set for release on April 10, 2026. The album features heavier arrangements with elements of prog metal, alongside tracks arranged with a classic rock sound, exciting and perhaps surprising collaborations with leading vocalists, and the use of both well-known and lesser-known folk instruments.