Many modern electric guitarists have dabbled with digital. Few have accomplished what Mathias Marstrander displays here. The delays or echo effects are an integral part of his facility to create rich tapestries of sound and are indeed a characteristic of his unique instrumental expression.
On repeated listening, you become less aware of the effects themselves and more aware of the unmitigated integration of guitarist and guitar. The delays are perfectly rhythmic and create a bespoke individuality for this most talented composer, arranger and bandleader.
Mathias writes: The album tracks "find themselves at the crossroads between composition and improvisation and draw inspiration from jazz, rock, contemporary music, free impro and film music. The music ranges from cinematic sound surfaces (Opening), to composite works (Window Song, Final Soldier) to abstract, more conceptual songs (Building Towers, A Long Story)."
Guitarist Mathias Marstrander (b. 1993) studied music at the Grieg Academy in Bergen, Norway and at the Norwegian Academy of Music. He currently lives in Bergen working as a guitarist, composer and producer/studio engineer. He participates in a wide range of projects, in a variety of genres. His playing is diverse and fits equally well in a pop band, as in a jazz band. He has toured with several different projects and artists throughout Norway and Europe, playing clubs, festivals and tv-shows. Playing with many bands he is also part of the 6-piece jazz group Molecules, which released its debut album in 2017 featuring the Buddy-Award winning Erlend Skomsvoll, achieving great reviews.
Personnel: Mathias Marstrander (guitar), Arne Toivo Sandberg (bass), Sigurd Steinkopf (drums)
