San Francisco (USA)-based artist Aursjoen unveils a brand new single "Nytår", an ethereal Nordic folk haunt previewing debut album, Strand, which will be released on 15 November via Stratis Capta Records. "Nytår" is a haunted beauty of a track that is both sensual and mystical. A nod to her Scandinavian ancestry, this reverie-infused music is lush, layered and sweepingly cinematic. Dark and light in equal measure, this dynamic slice of ethereal gothica is complemented by a haunting video, created by filmmaker David Kruschke.
Aursjoen is the project of Ria Aursjoen, who is vocalist and keyboardist for critically acclaimed post-punk outfit Octavian Winters, who released their debut EP The Line Or Curve in 2023, followed by their 2024 "Nebula / Velveteen" single with electronic-industrial legend Mark Pistel (Meat Beat Manifesto, Consolidated). A classically-trained singer and multi-instrumentalist, her musical past is steeped in genres ranging from Celtic and Nordic folk to darkwave and progressive metal.
Aursjoen's debut Strand, was produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by William Faith (The Bellwether Syndicate, Faith And The Muse, Mephisto Waltz, Christian Death,...) at 13 Studio in Chicago. Aursjoen is joined by Octavian Winters bandmate Stephan Bryan Salit, who lends his creative flourish to the mix, contributing dynamic and atmospheric guitars on two songs. Link

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"For my sake, I could just stop playing the old stuff, but on the other hand, I know that our fans want it." - Anders Kobro
"There's much more detail in our music now than 20 years ago. It's also much easier nowadays because you can do many things at home." - Morten Lybecker
"I'm quite obsessive, and when I work on music, I can overwork and get myself in trouble. I always had a breakdown when I finished an album, because I drove myself to the brink." - Mick Moss
"There were already bands doing small illustrations of symphonic metal, and I was thinking, why doesn't someone do this all the time?" - Christofer Johnsson
