«Whip smart, virtuosic album of improvised americana, unusually original» - Songlines

Siril Malmedal Hauge – lead vocals, flute Magnus Wiik – banjo, dobro, mandolin, vocals Espen Bjarnar – guitar, mandolin, vocals Aksel Jensen – bass, vocals

Open String Department started out as a side project to the bluegrass band Julie & The New Favorites. Taking their name from a Gillian Welch song that also is a classic AKUS-album, the group found a way to pay tribute to two of their heroes in one go. The band was active between 2007-15, playing hundreds of shows and releasing two critically acclaimed albums (Recipe, 2013 and All We Need To Know, 2015).

The quartet format with a lead singer has been something the trio wanted to come back to for some time, and in early 2023 a chance encounter with the singer Siril Malmedal Hauge and a show in Trad Session in Fredrikstad provided an incredible opportunity to kickstart a new quartet. “I think you have to keep her” was what Richard Burgess at Trad Session said after the encore, and that is something the trio intends to do. This new quartet will be touring and recording throughout 2024.

Siril Malmedal Hauge is a Norwegian vocalist, instrumentalist, composer and lyricist. An unusually versatile and highly sought out singer, she has both been appointed the title «jazz-ambassador» from Trondheim Jazzfest and has received various awards in the category «best vocal album» both from Japan and NYC as well as nominations for the Norwegian Grammy for her personal work.

Magnus Wiik is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist with more than twenty critically acclaimed releases as a band leader. He has toured the world and worked with some of the biggest names in bluegrass, jazz and Irish folk music. In 2020 he released his first two solo albums where he plays 11 instruments and sings to universal critical acclaim.

Aksel Jensen is one of Norway’s most active bassists. He’s a session musician as well as working along with bands such as Martin Högberg Trio and artists such as Aslak Brimi.

Espen Bjarnar made his mark early as a major guitar talent, and shared stages with guitarists such as Ulf Wakenius and Nils-Olav Johansen. His unique guitar playing can be heard in a multitude of projects such as his own ESP and Arne Torviks Northern Sounds.

«All the way through, this is a lovely and markedly «un Norwegian» recording that excites from three brilliant musician with a joint singular vision for where they want to take the music» - Salt Peanuts

«Open String Department has for sure managed to do the trick again. Maybe even better than the first time, and for sure with as much excitement. I state that the best American music is not made by Americans» - Mono Magazine