From A Story Now Lost

Description

Produced by Laurel Halo and released on the respected Norwegian label Smalltown Supersound, Anja Lauvdal's debut solo album, From a Story Now Lost, is a beautiful musical essay that reflects on time, its perception, and the lost stories rediscovered. Finally exploring her own voice after more than a decade of collaborative improvisation, the album is a gem of subtle beauty and innovative details. A freeform musician on piano, synthesizers, and electronics, Lauvdal's discography dates back to 2013 and includes her participation in a myriad of ensembles and collaborations that explore the boundaries of sound and music in many forms, including noise, jazz, and more. After moving to Oslo, she became deeply rooted in the city's music community, touring with Jenny Hval and playing on her records. When the pandemic hit and isolation became the norm, Lauvdal began working alone, recording her improvisations with the aim of capturing something new. Laurel Halo agreed to work with Lauvdal on her solo record, becoming an integral part of its creation at every stage. Lauvdal describes Halo as an attentive listener and a "thought stimulator," who brought ideas while helping to shape the final versions. While the record is based on Lauvdal's improvisations, some pieces were inspired by Agathe Backer Grøndahl, a Norwegian classical pianist and composer from the second half of the 19th century. Lauvdal notes that Grøndahl is not very well known, while her best friend Edvard Grieg is still considered Norway's most famous composer. Yet today, in part thanks to Lauvdal, her story is resurfacing and enduring.