In 2024, it will be 50 years since Trond Ingebretsen started the band Bjølsen Valsemølle! This anniversary is being celebrated in several ways, but primarily with a new album. Over five decades, Bjølsen has delivered urban rock with lyrics inspired by Oslo and events in the city.
Bjølsen Valsemølle’s new album consists of 12 songs from the band’s songwriter, Trond Ingebretsen. Musically, the melodic rock style remains, and the stories Trond gives us are rooted in solidarity.
The title of the album, “September 18th,” comes from four dramatic events in Trond’s life, all of which happened on this date. Trond explains:
– In my life, the date September 18th holds a very special place: On this date, a much-loved musician, whom I saw play his very last concert just a few days before, passed away. Some years later, on September 18th, a church in East Oslo burned down. That event is forever connected to me as a person and a songwriter. On the same date, two dramatic events also happened in my family. That date is forever etched in my heart!
Thematically, the album is varied and addresses everything from friendship to political criticism, always with Ingebretsen’s values as a foundation. In songs like “Vanlige folks tur” (Ordinary People’s Turn), he sings about broken promises from politicians and the government to ordinary people in tight and difficult times. In songs like “Der byen faller ned” (Where the City Falls Down), Trond takes us to one of his favorite places, Egner’s Place at Kampen in Oslo. Everyday heroes are in focus, and Ingebretsen always conveys with a twinkle in his eye.
The new album was fittingly recorded at Bjølsen in Oslo, at Amper Tone studio with Johnny Skalleberg as the producer. The studio process has been very positive, with the whole band involved in arranging the new music. Much of it was recorded live in the studio. With a close collaboration with producer Skalleberg, the result is an album the band is very proud of! Guest artists such as Finn Tore Tokle (bass), Hege Rimestad (fiddle), and Hans Cato Kristiansen (chorus) contribute to elevate the production.
The band lineup consists of Trond Ingebretsen (vocals and guitar), Leif Ottesen (guitar and vocals), Endre Christiansen (piano and organ), and Even Finsrud (drums and vocals). In addition, the newest member, Morten Strøm, has now joined the group permanently as the bassist.
Bjølsen Valsemølle continues to deliver relevant urban rock, after 50 years in the service of music!
