Magnus Skaug
ANTHEMS VOL I.
anthems vol i. is Mangus Skaug’s debutalbum.
Release: 4 june 2021
Magnus Skaug, note the name. Anthems Vol.I is his debut album in his own name, and what a record it is! The album is playful and eclectic, and explores musical identity. Suggestive riffs, processed guitars, angular, but at times melancholic melodies characterize the album's 10 instrumental tracks. The wide emotional landscape the album contains, with songs that mix the noisy and beautiful, melancholic and energetic, is personal and direct. Enjoy!
"For a long time I’ve been wondering how my musical identity would be expressed on my own release. The jazz language, which I was introduced to after a couple of years with the guitar in hand, aroused my curiosity strongly. The musical language was mysterious and aesthetic, but the traditional jazz guitar did not trigger me much and the motivation faltered. The commitment and joy of playing came back when I was introduced to more alternative rock and various genre overriding expressions where the guitar had a place of its own. The new role models I got in alternative music used a number of peculiarities that only the guitar has, and it became clear to me that the guitar could be as exciting and expressive as e.g. the saxophone was in jazz. It became clear to me that all the practitioners I liked in the various fields, be it Mary Halvorsen, John Coltrane or Eric Dolphy were all practitioners who had found their own language. This led to a desire to write my own songs / compositions and find my own language through my way of relating to the guitar and music.
As for my record, I wanted a free creative process behind the music, without locking myself into a very specific expression. I would rather be led by what engaged me specifically on the guitar, usually something intuitive, and let it again lead to songs that I built on. As a result, the album has become a good mix of angular, instrumental indie songs, noisy, improvised guitar tracks and short, more conceptual pieces. " - Magnus Skaug
Magnus Skaug is also relevant and has released records with the bands such as Magic Mirror and Caramel 11.
Musicians:
Magnus Skaug: guitar
Eskild Myrvoll: bass (track 1, 2, 3, 4 og 9)
Martin Mellem: drums (track 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 & 9)
“Magnus Skaug føyer seg elegant inn i rekka blant dem som er med på å legge lista høyt”
PRODUCTION // OF 177
Compositions & production by Magnus Skaug
Recording & mix by Martin Miguel Almagro Tonne
Master by Karl Klaseie in Øra Mastering
Cover design by Magnus Skaug