Askjell Solstrand quickly became one of Bergen’s most sought after producers after producing hits for artists including AURORA, Sigrid, dePresno and Kjartan Lauritzen. In addition to being a critically acclaimed producer, both in his home country Norway and abroad, Askjell began releasing music under his own solo project, which moves between an electronic and modern neoclassical sound.

Askjell himself describes his solo project in this way:

The goal has been to create pure and beautiful classical music that makes the listener feel that time stands still when you close your eyes, but at the same time contemporary.

Askjell grew up in Bergen, the second biggest city in Norway, and was introduced to music from an early age. Askjell’s dad had ragga, ska and dancehall records shipped over from the UK from the 80s to the 00s. Then UK Garafe. Then dubstep. Their house is the kind where there are rooms literally dedicated to records rather than living space. But Askjell was young; he liked computer games instead (was on the national team for Team Fortress 2) – a crucial component in his development since their soundtracks often lean toward the classic side of things.

The inquisitive boy he was and self-confessed ‘nerd’, Askjell bought a Casio keyboard and became addicted to music theory and figuring out the equation, you could sat. Somewhere alon the way he also picked up the bass guitar, found himself in a Metallica cover band, before his journey into fuzz, leather jackets and Converse led him to a very different place.

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