love, nature, musical instruments, G.I Gurdjieff, minimalism, subtleties, silence, Giancinto Scelsi, John Cage, Christian Wolff, Morton Feldman, George Crumb, Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger, Robbie Basho, Matsuo Basho, Xie Lingyun, Skip James, the western music canon and its origins, rhythm, loud sounds, Lee Miller, Meret Oppenheim, Jackson Pollock, Daniil Kharms, Astrid Lindgren and Lao Tzu
Sounds Like
"... Espen Jørgensen is not a name that will fling from the tongues of dark aficionados of neofolk with casual or obscure recognition, as the guitarist is a rare breed, an idiom with only tentative links to the physiognomy of the European tradition of shadowy song. This album is a composed performance of virtuosity, the degree of performance on solo guitar says as much right from the get go...
The Norwegian’s complected fingerstyle encircles and fills the spaces of the listener’s abode, redolent with echoic tails that transform one’s room into a chamber where even the inhalation/exhalation of a sorcerer at work can be discerned. Dissecting chordal structures, the fingerstyle of Jørgensen employs droning open-strings over intricate wefts of constantly evolving arpeggios and chord melody. Sharing an avant-garde take on fingerstyle as in some of John Fahey or Leo Kottke’s unusual instrumentation, ‘On the Great Alkali Plains’ elicits a decidedly modern American feel of acoustic guitar performance. It is not until the third, fourth, and fifth tracks that hints of classicism and more experimental guitar fragmentation attest to Jørgensen’s influence being far wider than initially experienced.." Heathen Harvest, April 2007
"...The pristine pluck-and-strum of Norwegian artist Espen Jørgensen's acoustic steelstring and 11-string harp guitars is a thing of beauty and a marvel to behold..." Textura April 2007
"...Images of the late Michael Hedges and even Ralph Towner come to mind when listening to On the Great Alkali Plains, as the lulling, classically inspired arrangements sweep you away into never-never land..." Sea of Tranquility February 2007
"...Norway may have a reputation of ice and snow, Espen Jørgensen provides an audial warm blanket by the simple means of one guitar..." 5/5 Musique Machine October 2006
I am a composer/improviser. I worked in various pop bands in the 80..s, played rock and country in the early 90..s before setting out to develop my improvisation skills and freeform music. I have studied baroque opera with Stephen Stubbs in Bremen, and early music instruments with Rolf Lislevand in Trossingen, and I have attended compositionworkshops with Christian Wolff and Gavin Bryars, pluss an acoustic fingerstyle masterclass with Alex de Grassi. My main focus lies on acoustic instruments, although I still pick up an electric from time to time.
These photos were taken at the second annual icefestival at Geilo, Norway 2007, where icesculptor Bill Covitz and I made the world's first functionable iceguitar. Together with Anneli Drecker of Bel Canto, we closed the festival's first day with a concert of freeimprovised icemusic.
I just wanted to let you know, that a new track of mine is waiting for your oppinion. It's called "run the self" and its the first track after a decade of music production, that I sung myself.
If you like it, you can DOWNLOAD IT in high quality FOR FREE. just check out my blog for the link and have fun ;O)
We are very proud to announce, that Monocular s "Water Shape EP" is available at your favorite Online-Store now.
Containing the single "Water Shape" from the forthcoming album "Somewhere On The Line" (April 03, 2009 VierSieben Records/Alive) and three non-album tracks ("Consequence", "To Admire The Life", "Ravenclaw"), it is definitely a must have for all fans of filigree and athmospheric electrosounds.
Where bands like Lamb or Frou Frou left a gap in the late 90s and early 21st century, Monocular redefined the sound and set new standards in developing their complex music by connecting charismatic vocals with entrancing soundscapes.
Åh, gratulerer!!! Skjønner at det er mange mnd for sent, men det er en gratulasjon for livet, så den varer i mange år framover! Klem fra like over fjorden, vi har kjøpt hus på Nesodden, jeg skriver og Martin komponerer...og måkker snø!
Jeg er på Geilo, nær der vi spilte for mange år siden, Lille Blå, (folk husker det ennå viser det seg). Vært i femtiårslag med gitar (absolutt ikke after-ski-opplegg på oss :). Så koselig det høres ut med dere!?
Vi har det også fint!
M E N...
Jeg syns fremdeles det er litt rart at jeg har deg som 'topp 4' og du ikke har meg i det hele tatt...
