Critically acclaimed guitarist and composer Åsmund Reistad, is a trailblazer in Norwegian folk music, pushing the boundaries of the genre with his innovative approach. He has been a part of the Norwegian folk music scene for more than twenty years and has played alongside many of the best-known musicians in the country, leaving his mark as a performer with an extensive technical range and a unique musical style.
His first solo album, 89% folkemusikk, was released in 2021 and received rave reviews from the public and press. He plays guitar, mandola, bass, percussion, vocal and keyboard. The album consists of his own compositions based on traditional Norwegian dances. Despite his deep respect for the folk music tradition, his distinct use of elements from other genres shines through.
"...fixing treasures from the Norwegian tradition in fresh settings." (Alex Monaghan, FolkWorld)
When he released his next album, Urban folkemusikk, in 2024, he continued to explore the boundaries of the folk music genre. The album features Bendik S. Qvam on goat horn, willow flute and trumpet and producer Jørund F. Samuelsen on harmonica, percussion and keyboard. He performs live either as a solo artist or together with Bendik S. Qvam.
Åsmund Reistad has played an impressive number of concerts and contributed to a multitude of recordings with both his own and other artists projects. He plays guitar and mandolin in Ingunn Bjørgo Band, which during the last year has attended the folk music festivals in Rudolstadt (Germany), Folkelarm in Oslo (Norway), Folk Alliance in Roskilde (Denmark) and Saulės muzika in Vilnius (Lithuania).