MUSIKK
THE ALBUMS
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«Quiet Christmas Voices,» expands on the concept by incorporating vocal performances from a diverse array of artists. This collaborative effort includes contributions from Kim Rysstad, Adam Douglas, Erlend Gunstveit, Hanne Krogh, Alexander Rybak, and others, with Asphol’s acoustic guitar work remaining central to the album’s sound. The project also features new compositions by Asphol, including the single «Natt i Desember» performed by Kim Rysstad, which has already gained traction on NRK P1’s A-playlist.
In 2024, Norwegian guitarist and producer Knut Bjørnar Asphol released two Christmas albums that showcase his musical versatility and collaborative spirit. The first, «Quiet Christmas,» is an instrumental album featuring Asphol’s acoustic guitar interpretations of both well-known and lesser-known holiday songs.
«SOLO» features nine original compositions, all performed with exquisite mastery on the acoustic guitar. The music is a captivating blend of meditative classical pieces infused with the flair of flamenco and jazz. As you listen, you’ll find yourself transported to a realm of tranquility, introspection, and pure musical delight. The album opens with the mesmerizing track «Baroque Noir,» which sets the tone for the entire journey, showcasing both melody and virtuosity. KNUT’s singles from this album have already garnered significant attention on Spotify playlists, amassing a global following eager to explore his latest creation.
“Hemingway Café” is KNUT’s eighth album and his first complete acoustic jazz release, showcasing a pure, organic sound recorded live in the studio[1]. The album features nine tracks that explore diverse musical landscapes, from the slow waltz of «Waltz for the sailor» to the cinematic «The Godfather in Slow Motion», performed with renowned Norwegian musicians Ellen Andera Wang (bass), Erland Dahlen (drums/percussion), and Torbjørn Dyrud. Each composition is carefully crafted around strong melodic lines, carried by KNUT’s acoustic nylon guitar, creating a captivating journey through different musical atmospheres and emotions.
“Breeze”, released on June 5th, 2020, marks KNUT’s innovative musical exploration where jazz meets electronica, showcasing his transition from electric to acoustic nylon guitar. The album represents the first installment of a planned trilogy, blending electronic and organic sounds with diverse tracks like the lo-fi «Butterfly», dynamic «Deep» and «Vertigo», and the orchestral «Polar» featuring joik. Performed entirely by KNUT (formerly Knut Bjørnar Asphol), with Marit Hætta Øverli contributing joik, the album offers an atmospheric and hypnotic journey through musical landscapes, setting the stage for subsequent acoustic jazz and meditative classical releases.
The self-titled album by Charmstone is an explosive and atmospheric musical journey featuring drummer Torstein Lofthus and guitarist Knut Bjørnar Asphol. Drawing from their extensive backgrounds – Lofthus from rock-edged bands like Elephant9 and Shining, and Asphol from ambient jazz solo albums – the album represents an improvised musical dialogue that blends heavy, progressive grooves with softer, hypnotic soundscapes. Combining Lofthus’s dynamic drumming and Asphol’s electronic and guitar work, Charmstone creates a unique musical universe that explores contrasting emotional landscapes.
The Awakening represents Knut Bjørnar Asphol’s bold experimental musical venture, pushing creative boundaries by incorporating diverse elements like soundscapes, keyboards, ambient sounds, poems, and electronics. For the album’s artwork, Asphol collaborated with his favorite art designer Michal Karcz, who uniquely immersed himself in the music by listening to the tracks in a forest at night, ultimately creating a cover that perfectly captures the album’s essence. The album features Asphol on all instruments, with vocal contributions from Petter Skippervoll and sampled vocals by Frida Amundsen.
TABLOID RED – KNUT BJØRNAR ASPHOL (2016) – NOT AVAILABLE AT THE MOMENT
Jan Bang produced this album. So happy that he opened some new doors in my atmospheric universe. The album is recorded in Punkt Studio in Kristiansand. Mixed by Erik Honnoré.
This is a duo album with the fantastic violin player Harpreet Bansal.
So greatful to work with some of my favourite musicians like Nils Petter Molvaer, Stian Carstensen, Helge Lien, Torstein Lofthus and Harpreet Bansal
One of my favourite pieces of music is on this album. «Spaces», featuring Arve Henriksen on trumpet!
My first album that was the soundtrack of the documentary movie «Tikopia». So fun to get original field recordings, and make the voices get organic and electronic vibes. Some years later the movie director bring some CD to the Island. That was the first time they heard their own voices on tape.
THE SINGLES
MUSIC PRODUCER, SONGWRITER, MUSICIAN & MASTERING ENGINEER
Knut Bjørnar Asphol has over 30 years of experience in the music industry as a musician, artist, music producer, record label manager, composer, songwriter, and mastering technician. If you need professional help creating or recording music, please get in touch. With his versatile skills and experience across various genres, he is well-equipped to assist with a wide range of musical projects.