vertex

Vertex is a norwegian duo that spontaneously compose electroacoustic music that is both immediate and enticing to listen to. From lowercase drones through beautiful melodic passages to assaulting industrial walls of sound, Vertex creates a plausible yet otherwordly soundscape with it's own set of natural laws. A universe that focuses in on form and interaction.

Vertex' debut album, shapes & phases has just been released through the renowned label SOFA. The album is produced by vertex and mixed and mastered by the talented Giuseppe Ielasi.

Petter Vågan (b. 1982) is a hard-working up and coming impromusician who ́s becoming a household name in Norway these days, he ́s released several albums and toured all over Norway, Sweden, Russia, USA,Canada, Germany and the Netherlands. He ́s playing on guitars, lapsteels and prepared guitars, and utilises an array of effects in a delicate manner, to mangle and distort reality in his own way. He has a performing masters degree from the world-renowned jazzcourse the the Conservatory of Music in Trondheim. He ́s has played with musicians like Christian Wallumrød, Ståle Storløkken, Mathias Eick, Håvard Wiik, Håkon Kornstad, Thomas Strønen, Jonas Kullhammar, Mats Eilertsen, Lene Grenager and Kjetil Møster etc

Tor Haugerud (b. 1962) has been an active musician, composer and performanceartist for the last 24 years. He ́s developed a unique playingstyle with his unorthodox drumset and use of electronics and unconventional instruments like fans, drills, singing bowls, bows, stones. Has in recent years operated in the more free musical landscapes, with musicians like Kim Myhr, Christian Wallumrød, Stian Westerhus, Martin Taxt, Jon Balke, Sidsel Endresen, Ingar Zach, Eirik Hegdal, Michael Duch, Kjetil Møster etc, and with the groups Alpaca Ensemble, Én Én Én, Murmur, and TIE (Trondheim Improvisasjons Ensemble).





"...With their original approach to the process of making music they have, through the collective Vertex, given us something they are basically the sole provider of..."

"...This is music far beyond what we usually associate with melody and rhythmics. In their electro-acoustic world, vertex develops music based on moods, grooves, phrases and industrial-sounding walls of sound. As the album title implies, this records is about constructions and shapes that's permitted to evolve through short and longer periods of time. The two makes soundscapes that no-one else but them could - and vertex themselves won't be able to reenact what they have done on this record ever.

Tor Haugerud has through a couple of decades shown us that he a creative force within many genres, while the younger Vågan, through bands like PETTER O HANNA, Erik Nylanders Orkester and Eyewaterlillies, has told us that he is in possession of a special voice that will be very interesting to follow in the years to come.
Together they constitute a duo that offer both anticipation and exitement."
-Tor Hammerø - Side2


"5 out of 6"
"...A duo that builds strong, durable soundstructures. The tracks on the album represents the sum of when each soundstream meets the other in and out of phase with eachother, creating new and engaging soundshapes and structures. They form an electroacoustic experience that within a well defined timeframe carries the listener to rooms where melancholic motives, droning industrial chaos and electronic soundsmashing makes up the furniture. The two gentlemen have no problems filling up the soundstage, but actually appear at their finest when they create pauses in their abstract dialog...Vertex has done a fine job in finding homogeneous textures, and the music has a relatively reserved expression, with appealing additions of melodies by both slide- and acoustic guitars."
- Stephan Meidell - Bergens Tidende

"Right from the opening piece, "Blue Shift", we find the stark acoustic guitar and suspense-filled percussion adrift and hover likes ghosts in somber cemetery. Eerie electronics, skeletal percussion provide a dark ambience on "Hutong". Vertex excel at ominous, carefully crafted textures and layers of twisted static evoke apprehensive vibes."
- Downtown Music Gallery, New York

"If your personal collection includes Tetuzi Akiyama, Emeralds, Alan Licht, Toshi Nakamura and Oren Ambarchi (Supersilent too, but I guess that goes without saying), you´ll certainly enjoy this."
- Dan Warburton, Paris Transatlantic