Artists
Bugge Wesseltoft piano, synthesizer, percussion
Øyvind Gravdal saxophones, flute, bass clarinet, voice
Annveig Andresen Gravdal voice tracks 3, 8, 9, 11
Anders Engen drums, percussion
Bjarne Magnus Jensen violin tracks 9, 10
Jens Fossum double bass track 7
Torfinn Wang electric bass track 10
Erlend Sæverud baritone guitar track 8
Øyvind Fosgaard voice track 11
Jon Arne Bjørnstad voice track 11
CD info
Catalogue No: LOS 336-2
EAN: 7090025833366
1 Møte hverandre / Meet Each Other 5:41
2 Lete sammen / Searching Together 5:17
3 Lede hverandre / Leading Each Other 4:14
4 Someday My Prince Will Come 5:16
5 Er du der? / Are You There? 11:18
6 Eit pust med Bugge / A Breath with Bugge 3:14
7 Snakke med hverandre / Talking to Each Other 2:20
8 Eit pust / A Breath 4:09
9 Marto og fela / Marto and the Fiddle 2:31
10 Eit pust / A Breath (instrumental) 4:12
11 Eit pust / A Breath (voices) 1:20
Total time: 49:32
Composers:
Track 4 Frank Churchill
Tracks 6, 8 (+ text), 10, 11 Øyvind Gravdal
Track 9 Bjarne Magnus Jensen (free improvisation)
All other tracks – Bugge Wesseltoft/Øyvind Gravdal (free improvisations)
Recorded April 23, 2026 by Thor Neby at Thor Neby Studio, Oslo, Norway
Recorded June 11, 2026 by Erlend Sæverud at Wonder Studio, Oslo;
Marto og fela + part of the instrumental Eit pust
Mixed August 28 and mastered September 7, 2026 by Thor Neby
Produced by Øyvind Gravdal
Executive producer Odd Gjelsnes
Cover photo by Kjersti Holst
Design by Max Franosch
Supported by Stiftelsen Dam / The Dam Foundation
Booking contact: lyriaka@gmail.com
Dialogic
The word “Dialogic” is used to describe an exchange of thoughts – characterized by listening and
equality – where the goal is to develop a shared understanding.
I feel the title suits what I experienced in the studio on the day of the recording. We met up without
any prior planning, simply trying to be present in the moment and absorb the atmosphere and the
impulses that arose right then and there. There were no expectations. Sometimes Bugge would start
playing; other times, I would. We listened and contributed, challenged one another and played in
tandem, discovering new musical landscapes. I have always viewed Bugge as a master of musical
communication, so choosing him as the pianist was an obvious decision. For the same reason,
Anders was the clear choice for drummer/percussionist – an excellent listener and communicator.
Both possess a truly unique presence.
Marto
The purpose of the recording was to create music for a film about my brother, Ole Martin – known
to friends as Marto. In 1988, he was nearing the completion of his geology degree at the University
of Kiel in Germany. He was set to perform a research dive at a depth of 26 metres. It turned out
to be his final dive. For reasons unknown, something happened down in the depths that changed
life forever. He suffered a severe brain injury; for nearly 40 years now, he has remained unable to
move so much as a finger or communicate with the outside world. It is highly uncertain how much
he comprehends. As his brother and legal guardian, I have remained close to him throughout these
years. In 2023, I wrote the book Hvor er du nå, Marto? (Where Are You Now, Marto?) and composed
the music for the album Marto. For several years, my good friend and director Kari Anne Øren has
been working on a documentary film based on my book and Marto’s life – both before and after
the accident.
We had Marto in the studio during the recording session, with the film crew present as well; in a way,
we “jammed” his personality – much like how people in Northern Norway joik (sing traditional songs
about) specific individuals. Before the accident, Marto was an exceptionally outgoing, sociable, and
talkative young man – the life of the party – only to lose absolutely everything later on. On the day
of the recording, Marto sat wide-eyed and alert, listening for the entire four hours we played for
him. That is highly unusual for him. You can hear his breathing throughout the album. It seemed he
truly appreciated what we were playing.
It was a very special and powerful day for all of us in the studio
Eit pust
Inspired by Marto’s breathing, I wrote the lyrics and music for the song “Eit Pust”. It appears in four
different versions on the album. The first version captures the moment Bugge was warming up and
practicing the piece.
It turned out so beautifully that we decided to include it. Next comes a version featuring vocals by
my dear daughter, Annveig. She lends her unique presence to several other tracks as well. Then, the
same song appears in a larger instrumental arrangement, with the brilliant violinist Bjarne Magnus
Jensen playing the main theme.
In addition, he improvises on the track “Marto og fela” (Marto And The Fiddle). Marto played the
violin for many years; at the beginning of this track, we hear a recording of him playing a classical
piece when he was 13 or 14 years old. Bjarne Magnus plays along with him for a few bars before
transitioning into free improvisation. Erlend Sæverud also plays baritone guitar on this track – an
instrument that can sound quite similar to a bass guitar. On the final version – specifically during the
bridge – I am joined in the backing vocals by my good friends Jon and Øyvind.
“Someday My Prince Will Come” was originally intended merely as an interlude, but we felt it fit
the mood perfectly and decided to include it. The song “Å snakke med hverandre” (Talking To Each
Other) had long been crying out for a bassline. That need was finally met the day before the final
mixing session; Jens Fossum came to the rescue, stepping in on short notice to deliver beautiful
double bass playing.
Studio
Most of the music was recorded at Thor Neby Studio – located in the home of sound engineer
Thor Neby, a man who is as personable as he is skilled at his craft. The music was also mixed and
mastered there.
The instrumental track “Eit pust” (A Breath) was recorded at Wonder Studio, owned by my good
friend and multi-artist Erlend Sæverud. It is always a pleasure working with him – thanks for the
great input!
Marto has prompted a great deal of reflection for me, as well as for many of us who have known
him throughout the years he has lived in his helpless and isolated world. I believe both dreams and
music offer him a welcome escape.
The music was recorded primarily in a single day with the musicians in the same room; consequently,
you may occasionally hear sounds other than the music itself.
Øyvind Gravdal, September 2026