Valkyrien Allstars - Ingen Hverdag

The latest album from the Norwegian contemporary folk trio, Valkyrien Allstars, is a balanced mix of ballads and up-tempo compositions. All of the music was composed and arranged by the trio, with the lyrics taken mainly from the texts of Norwegian authors, including Olav H. Hauge, Gunvor Hofmo and Inger Hagerup.The trio each play the Hardanger fiddle, a traditional Norwegian stringed instrument very similar to the violin, though with eight or nine strings rather than the violin's standard four. Bowed, plucked or used for percussive effects, the instrument's versatility is perfectly matched against the rock dynamics of the accompanying rhythm section.Since their debut in 2005, the Valkyrien Allstars have held a truly unique position in Norwegian folk. Their innovative combination of traditional music fused with rock and pop, has brought them both critical and commercial success on an international scale. Their self-titled debut album sold over 20,000 copies in Norway and the follow-up, To M�ner, despite its quieter and more pensive expression, has done equally well. With this success has came international concert tours, including an appearance at Edinburgh's Celtic Connections Festival, and a Best Folk Group award from Norway's equivalent of the Grammy's.Personnel: Tuva Livsdatter Syvertsen, Ola Hilmen, Erik Sollid Hardanger (fiddle, vocals), Magnus Larsen (bass), Erik Sollid (drums)