I first came across Norwegian experimental/Avant-rock singer Sturle Dagsland a couple of years ago at SXSW. It was a somewhat random discovery, but I was struck at the time by his sound and his personality, both of which could be described as “eccentric” (amongst other things, he memorably wrestled with a folding chair during that performance). Now, nearly three years after that performance, Dagsland is set to release his debut self-titled album on February 5, 2021.
Recorded over the last couple of years with his brother Sjur, Dagslund seems to have taken a bit of a kitchen sink approach to the album, incorporating over 40 different instruments from across various cultures into the recording and drawing from a wide range of influences. The end result is some pretty compelling stuff, as evidenced by the haunting, otherworldly soundscape of latest single “Waif.” Check it out below.