Stian Borgen is a fairly new artist on the scene, about to release his upcoming debut album. We checked out his debut single release from the record, The Painter, and I really enjoyed it! Find out more about Stian and his debut record below!

By Jane Howkins

You recently released a new track called The Painter. What can you tell us about the song?

I think The Painter is a sad song in a bright suit. The sound contains some lightness and happiness, yet there is something underneath the surface that´s kind of sad. The Painter is this seemingly self-righteous guy who is obviously trying to keep up a façade. At the same time, I could sense some genuine love that he proclaims for this Cassandra. He has some issues that I think many of us can relate to, and it gives him this childish appearance.

How has the reception to The Painter been so far, and where can it be purchased?

I´ve had a fair amount of reviews, radio-rotation and playlist-adds, mostly in Europe and the USA. And I must say, I´m thrilled and grateful for all the kind words from people who write about music and from people who listen to music. The song can be purchased at every streaming platform. And I hope that sometime soon I can provide the album on vinyl.

Do you have any more singles planned for the near future?

Yes, I´ll be releasing a new single at the beginning of April.

The Painter is the first song from your forthcoming debut album. What can you tell us about the record and when will it be released?

I made the album the way I like to listen to music. It may be old-fashioned to think like this, but I have tried to make a wholeness to the album. Some kind of line that you can follow through the songs.

It´s a diverse album where half of it is done with acoustic instruments and strings, and the other half is with a full band crew. Hopefully you’ll discover melodic parts that takes you somewhere nice for a moment, and lyrics that makes you think for a moment. And maybe you’ll feel the need to dance, or at least move. I’m looking so much forward to get this album released, and I hope you like it.

Release date: April 26.

What was the writing and recording process like for you?

I´ve written this album over a period of fifteen years, so the different songs are kind of time stamps of periods in my life. Even today, sometimes I get associations, smells and feelings from a particular period when I play the songs. So when I started to pick songs to finally wrap up this album, it was a joyful activity that gave me further inspiration to write more. And to record this with some of the best musicians I know was a fun, inspiring and sometimes emotional process. To have someone you respect and look up to doing their best to make this album work – that’s in the category of big things in life, and I feel a strong sense of gratitude. Applause to the band!

The Painter is an indie-folk song. What/who are you most influenced by? What have you been listening to recently?

I´m inspired by so many artists regardless of genre. To mention a few, I think artists like Paul Simon, Ryan Adams, Nick Drake, Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan have had an important influence on this project.

I try to be open to experiencing both the good and more difficult sides of life. I think a life with contrasts and elements of all these aspects of life is a rich life, and all these contrasts and different elements provide inspiration and creativity.

And what have I been listening to recently… Well, looking at the top of my Spotify-list: The Tallest Man On Earth, Eric Andersen, Jack White, Ocie Elliott, The Milk Carton Kids, Jimi Hendrix, The Avett Brothers and Jeff Buckley.

Where are you based? What is the local music scene like?

I´m based in Kløfta, a small place with a teeming music scene 25 kilometers north of Oslo. It´s a stimulating place to grow up if you´re interested in music, with many local scenes and a recording studio. We also have the proximity to Oslo, which is a small town in a world context, but since it is a capital, so much of Norway’s and Europe’s creativity gathers here. This leads to a high density of livescenes, and a melting pot of creative art and music.

Do you have anything else exciting coming up over the next few months?

April 26th. I will play the release concert for the album, and I´m looking forward to starting rehearsals with the band and transforming this studio-recording into a live concept.

Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?

Not yet, but if the UK wants me, I’m more than ready to come and play.

Any last words for the fans?

Thank you for reading, thank you for listening to my music – and stay tuned. More releases are on their way.