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STEINAR KARLSEN |
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An understated and underrated album of instrumental guitar tracks, Transitt features Steinar recording in the studio with Kåre Opheim (drums) and Morten Skage (bass). With its blend of agreeable Karlsen originals, Transitt offers a striking mix of Nordic-inspired, fusion-based art-rock instrumentals that features Steinar arranging and producing while also highlighting his diverse musical performance on guitar, organ, synth and pedal steel guitar. Interesting that Steinar also comes from a blues and rock background, yet his calling card has always been his detailed instrumental mix of guitar magic. While those in the know have compared him to bigger name music heroes like Knopfler, Frisell and Cooder, the uniquely Scandinavian inspired approach makes his original music remarkably distinctive. Transitt features ten instrumental tracks that brings out the best in Steinar’s sound. Looking back on comparing 2020’s comparatively upbeat Destination Venus with Transitt, it’s clear that we have gone through some hard times this past 4 years. Despite being more sparse and introspective in sound, especially compared to Destination Venus, the 10-track, 31-minute Transitt does have its own sonorous, relaxing and inspiring moments. The album’s longest track “Snomåne” (“Snow Moon”), clocking at just under five minutes, is a bluesy-sounding, soundtrack-style instrumental that sounds inspired by U.K. guitar hero Mark Knopfler. Despite being an instrumental, the song features a crafty blend of Dire Straits type riffing, while the title track “Transitt” (“Transit”) features Steinar creating a peaceful, easy atmosphere with his remarkable performance mix of electric guitar and pedal steel with brush work by Kåre Opheim, who also co-wrote the track with Steinar. One of the truly remarkable Transitt tracks comes by way of “Ly” (“Shelter”). Mixing in pedal steel, keyboards and more, the track is quite atmospheric yet it does have some drive to it. While it does encapsulate the aura of Transitt, “Ly” is remarkable and unique at the same time. Perhaps, because he does come from the remote Scandinavian country of Norway, and is significant for coming from a blues and rock background, Steinar Karlsen has never gotten the proper recognition he deserves. While the ECM label is known for releasing many legendary albums by Norwegian guitar legend Terje Rypdal, perhaps an intensive overview of independent Norwegian instrumental guitarist Steinar Karlsen is overdue.
Music composed by Steinar Karlsen Recorded in Mellomtone studio. Engineered by Steinar Karlsen. Tracks 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 recorded in Silversound studio and Havnelageret studio, Bergen. Coverdesign/photo: Steinar Karlsen Produced and arranged by Steinar Karlsen.
mwe3.com presents an interview with Steinar Karlsen mwe3: I was thinking that compared to Destination Venus in 2020, the Transitt album from 2023 sounds quite low-key. Was Transitt the first post-Covid album from you or was that the Eld album? Are they somewhat similar in feel, how would you compare Transitt with your Eld album?
mwe3: How much of the Transitt album is improvised and how much is planned out melodically or arrangements wise? Steinar Karlsen: I will say 50/50. There is a lot of improvisation on Transitt, I wanted to capture the moment. I tried to make a perfect blend of improvisation and arranged parts. mwe3: Do all the Transitt tracks feature keyboards? Even on the opening track “Morgon” (“Morning”) there is some nice keyboard swells on what seems like a rather precautionary sounding track. Steinar Karlsen: I use some lo-fi organ and synth sounds on both the opening track and several other tracks. mwe3: “Yr” (“Drizzle”) is very quiet sounding and even has bluesy riffing. Why do you call it “Drizzle”? Gloomy? Steinar Karlsen: Well I don't think it's gloomy, but a bit sentimental. Imaging drizzling rain after a sunny day. mwe3: “Transitt” is an interesting sounding track. It is also very low-key. Speaking of which, why do you call the album Transitt and spell with two TT’s? In transit means moving from one location to the next. It’s mournful sounding too.
mwe3: “Snomåne” (“Snow Moon”) is one of the upbeat tracks on Transitt. First I thought it was called Snowman but then you said it was “Snow Moon” right? Is there a story behind calling it “Snow Moon”? Even as an instrumental, does “Snow Moon” have a Mark Knopfler kind of vibe? Steinar Karlsen: I love the sound of Knopfler’s sound of his guitar playing without using a pick. I have tried to learn a little bit of this technique and I'm playing without a pick on “Snømåne”. Snow moon is the name of the full moon in February. It is a song inspired by and dedicated to my son; he has his birthday in February. mwe3: “Uro” (“Restlessness”) gets back to a more experimental track with wild percussion. It’s the second shortest track on the album. Is it improv with the drumming too? It is wild sounding. Steinar Karlsen: Yes this is improvised live with the band in the studio. mwe3: “Uro” seems to morph into “Luftslott” (Pipedream”), another slow-moving track. It is compositionally well balanced. Steinar Karlsen: Thank you. I try to balance both the songs and the album with variation. mwe3: “Mellomtid” (“The In-Between Moments”) is the shortest track on Transitt. I could see you play this in some large church with enormous echo. Steinar Karlsen: Well, I’d love to play this tune in a church. It's played on pedal steel, I'm not a pedal steel guitarist, but I love to experiment and play around with this amazing instrument. It's a different world compared to guitar. mwe3: “Ly” (“Shelter”) is brilliant. It’s kind of a hymn-like track, quasi-spiritual. It could work as a surf-rock track if you changed the tempo! Great melodies last forever. Steinar Karlsen: Thank you so much. The melody is inspired by traditional folk and country. mwe3: “Natt” is the most corporeal sounding track. All the great stuff happens at Night. It’s almost New Age. Steinar Karlsen: I wanted the final track to slow down and almost fade away into the blue, so yes maybe a little bit new age with a bluesy vibe. mwe3: Tell us about the cover art. Steinar Karlsen: The cover art is a photograph taken from inside a train arriving in Bergen. I shot it with an old analogue medium format camera. mwe3: Tell us the guitars and amps featured on the Transitt album. Steinar Karlsen: Guitars on the album:
I also use the Franklin Pedal steel on many of the tracks. The Amplifiers on this album is Fender Blues Jr., Fender Deluxe Reverb, Tandberg båndopptaker 2 and Swart Atomic Space Tone. mwe3: How about a best of Steinar Karlson, Or a live album / DVD based on the studio albums? Steinar Karlsen: I am thinking of doing a "best of", but not just releasing the sane versions once more. I often think that the songs are still growing after an album release, so I think I want to record the songs the way I play them today. So maybe a live album is a good idea or a studio album with new versions. mwe3: Are you still planning to play live? It’s too bad some people can’t get to hear state of the art music played live nowadays. Steinar Karlsen: Yes, I am playing live with my band in January and later next year. I look forward to do it. I have played several concerts alone this year, but I enjoy having other musicians with me...
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While Norwegian guitar ace Steinar Karlsen released his album Doggerland in 2024 and Eld in 2022, as well has his choice album Destination Venus in 2020, it’s well worth taking a fresh listen to Steinar’s 2023 album Transitt. 
