Vegar Vardal & Asmund Reistad - Breibeint

Norwegian folk music in free form.

Asmund Reistad and Vegar Vardal releases their duo album Breibeint, after 20 years of musical collaboration. Reistad and Vardal are two experienced and characteristic musicians. They have collaborated for 20 years and through many different projects they have put a distinctive mark on Norwegian folk music.

Combined they have played with musicians such as Mischa Alperin, Chateau Neuf Spelemannslag, Rusk and Aasmund Nordstoga. On this album they combine forces in sparkling musical interaction, where every note is played with meaning.

This duo is my musical free space and playground. Our goal is to challenge each other, at the same time supporting the other's playing-Vegar Vardal

To stand Breibeint (broad-legged) is something Asmund and Vegar have through the time they have played together. They are deeply emerged in the Norwegian traditional music, but they also know how to play with it. This album consists entirely of self-composed material.

The duo uses the rhythm, melancholy, madness, beauty, and humour found in traditional music. Using these tools, they spin melodies based on traditional danse forms, but with a personal touch. The album presents everything from energetic Nordlanspols (a traditional tune form from Northern Norway), melancholic marches and waltzes, and a hint of baroque music. The arrangements are playful and energetic, inspired by time, space and the knowing that their music will finally reach an audience.