Kenneth Lien & Center of the Universe | Norway
Hurray for Norwegian folk music in a unique form
Kenneth Lien and Center of the Universe combines traditional songs and dance rhythms from gangar, springar and halling played on traditional instruments with old gang-walkers from house and techno, such as the TB-303 and Roland 909. It's music you can listen to, or dance to – and more than breaking with tradition, they want to extend the old into our time. The musicians see it as a living experiment in how electronic production can help to enhance and revitalize Norwegian folk music.
After the huge success of the critically acclaimed album Snu hver stein (2023), Kenneth Lien and Center of the Universe released their follow-up last year: Norwegian Electronic Folk Music – to rave reviews and a Spellemann Award nomination. The music is being compared by many to the collaboration between Folque and Saft and Sigbjørn Bernhoft Osa from the 80s, and in the same way it can be both a gateway to folk music for new listeners – and a deep dive for those who already love Norwegian folk music!
Kenneth Lien is a multi-instrumentalist with roots in black metal and improvised rock, and plays the fiddle, Hardanger fiddle, willow flute and, not least, the harmonica. He is best known from the trio Ævestaden, but has also won several harmonica competitions.
Jørgen Skjulstad is the name behind the alias Center of the Universe. He is also known as DJ Sissyfus and has released around 20 of his own albums and has also been a remixer and producer on a few hundred others.