On February 26 this year, the Chinese year of the horse – the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac – began, symbolizing and promising rapid change, intense energy, bold action, and independence.
The debut album of the Norwegian electric guitar duo of Ferdinand Bergstrøm and Håvard Nordberg Funderud, The Horse, was originally inspired by the novel Gliff by Scottish writer Ali Smith, about two children and a horse. It unintentionally ended up celebrating the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac, with like-minded irreverent energy and an insatiable need to keep moving forward. Bergstrøm did the cover art based on a drawing by British children’s book illustrator Mary Tourtel.
Bergstrøm composed eleven short pieces that explore the resonant, sonic palettes of the guitar duo, inspired by racehorses, runners, ice climbers, and various animals. Berstrøm and Funderud’s tight and spiky interplay is grounded in naive melodies and the stubborn, effects-laden grind of repetitive, cyclical rhythmic patterns. «The Friend», featuring Nice Things Records’ Henrik Sanstad Dalen, introduces an intense, chaotic element to the duo’s interplay. Meanwhile, «The Rabbit», featuring noise-rock guitarist Håvard Skaset (who recorded the album at Børsen Kulturhus in Tangen), intensifies the duo’s interplay and spices it with a psychedelic aroma.
Eyal Hareuveni
Ferdinand Bergstrøm (guitar), Håvard Nordberg Funderud (guitar), Håvard Skaset (guitar), Henrik Sanstad Dalen (double bass)
