Erik Wøllo (born 1961) is a Norwegian composer and musician, guitarist and synthesist. He has a background in various genres in music. As a solo recording artist, he is most known for his electronic and ambient musical soundscapes. Music that can be classified in the genres of space, drone, new age, and electronic music. Through his many albums he has gained recognition for his unique sound and style. Using guitar as the primary instrument in a highly imaginary and emotional music, building a bridge between grand symphonic realms and gentle, minimalistic and serene atmospheres.
History and Overview
Born and raised in Norway (Hemsedal). In the era when he grew up in Norway, the local folk music is very much dominated by the Hardanger fiddle, and his grandfather once offered him a fiddle as a birthday present, if he wanted to start playing. But he went for the guitar, and started to play at age 11.
His first influence was the evolving heavy/progressive rock music in the seventies, although he once said his first guitar hero was
John Fogerty. He soon discovered the more complicated and intricate styles of rock, like
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd are an English rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic music, psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experimentation, philo ...
,
Yes and
Emerson Lake and Palmer. Which led him gradually into more contemporary electronic music genres.
He started his professional career in 1980, playing and touring around Norway in various jazz/rock and fusion bands. But in 1984, he decided to concentrate full-time on his own solo career, building his own studio Wintergarden, where he started to explore and create his new soundworld.
His third album "Traces" (1985), was a turning point in his creative musical approach, and pointed out his unique style in instrumental music. This album represented an important and seminal time for Wøllo's artistic development.
Erik says in a private interview: “I quit all the bands I played in, I wanted to work on my own using the modern electronic studio as an instrument. Like a painter with his oil canvasses. I wanted to make a music that had expansive synthesizer textures and sequencer patterns, layered together with expressive melodic electric guitars. Working with depth, time and space. In those years in the early eighties the studio technology was new and revolutionary, and I wanted to explore all the new possibilities. To be able to control the infinite variations of electronic sound, using an endless palette for creative expression. Musically this technology opened up a new possible world for me, and I have continued to further develop and refine these musical ideas on later recordings. Also for the last decades, I have been able to bring this my musical concept to the stage, performing live. I have been doing several tours, as well as releasing a double CD set live album "Silent Currents" (Projekt, CD-2011). As well as two download live albums "Silent Currents 3" (2013), and "Star’s End 2015" (Silent Currents 4). I have also done several live concerts with
Ian Boddy
Ian Boddy is a British electronic musician and composer. In the early 1980s Boddy began experimenting at an Arts Council-funded studio in Newcastle. This period resulted in 3 cassette releases on the Mirage label, which showcased Boddy's work wi ...
and
Steve Roach. In August 2019, I performed a main act concert with special written music for an outdoor festival in Norway, featuring
Trey Gunn
Trey Gunn (born December 13, 1960) is an American musician, known for his membership in the progressive rock band King Crimson from 1994 to 2003, playing Warr Guitar and Chapman Stick.
Biography
A native Texan who now resides in Seattle, Washi ...
, Kouame Sereba and
Jerry Marotta
Jerome David Marotta (born February 6, 1956, in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American drummer who resides in Woodstock, New York. He is the younger brother of Rick Marotta, who is also a drummer and composer.
Career
Marotta was a member of the bands ...
."
Erik has also written music for diverse acoustic ensembles, such as string quartets, wind quintets and sinfoniettas. As one of very few Norwegian composers, these scores were all written in the classical minimalistic tradition.
He has released more than 50 solo albums and several smaller format EP's, all distributed globally and he has gained a large audience for his music.
Collaborations
Erik Wøllo has also collaborated and released album works together with some of the most respected artists in the ambient music world: with
Steve Roach ("Stream of Thought", CD-2009 & "The Road Eternal", CD-2011),
Michael Stearns
Michael Stearns (born October 16, 1948) is an American musician and composer of ambient music. He is also known as a film composer, sound designer and soundtrack producer for large format films, theatrical films, documentaries, commercials, and ...
("Convergence", CD-2020),
Ian Boddy
Ian Boddy is a British electronic musician and composer. In the early 1980s Boddy began experimenting at an Arts Council-funded studio in Newcastle. This period resulted in 3 cassette releases on the Mirage label, which showcased Boddy's work wi ...
("Frontiers", CD-2012, "EC12", Digital-2014, and "Meridian, CD-2018), Byron Metcalf ("Earth Luminous", CD-2016), Bernhard Wöstheinrich ("Arcadia Borealis", CD-2009 and "Weltenuhr, CD-2014), and several others.
One of the areas Wøllo has been deeply exploring for many decades, is the connections between the various art forms. Focusing on finding mutual and parallel aspects, he has been making music for use together with other media, like film, modern ballet and theater. Also together with diverse experimental visual art forms for gallery exhibitions. (photography, fine art, literature and video art).
Personal
Erik Wøllo currently lives on Hvaler, an island in the south of Norway. He is married, and has one son.
Gallery
Wøllo with
Fender Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster, colloquially known as the Strat, is a model of electric guitar designed from 1952 into 1954 by Leo Fender, Bill Carson, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares. The Fender Musical Instruments Corporation has continuousl ...
at Schallwelle 2012.
Image:Schallwelle 2012 Img08 - Erik Wollo 02.jpg
Image:Schallwelle 2012 Img09 - Erik Wollo 03.jpg
Image:Schallwelle 2012 Img10 - Erik Wollo 04.jpg
Image:Schallwelle 2012 Img11 - Erik Wollo 05.jpg
Image:Schallwelle 2012 Img12 - Erik Wollo 06.jpg
Image:Schallwelle 2012 Img38 - Frank van Bogaert 06 - with Erik Wollo.jpg
Image:Schallwelle 2012 Img39 - Frank van Bogaert 07 - with Erik Wollo.jpg
Image:Schallwelle 2012 Img40 - Frank van Bogaert 08 - with Erik Wollo.jpg
Image:Schallwelle 2012 Img41 - Frank van Bogaert 09 - with Erik Wollo.jpg
Selection of Works/Discography
Solo albums:
* 2022 - "SOJOURNS" (Projekt, CD)
* 2021 - "WINTER TIDE" Live at Soundquest Fest 2021 (Projekt, Digital)
* 2021 - "NORTH STAR" (Projekt, CD)
* 2021 - "RECURRENCE" (Projekt, CD)
* 2019 - "SOURCES" (Smalltown Supersound, LP/CD)
* 2019 - "INFINITE MOMENTS" (Projekt, CD)
* 2018 - "THRESHOLD POINT" (Projekt, CD)
* 2017 - "CINEMATIC" (Projekt, CD)
* 2017 - "DIFFERENT SPACES" (Projekt, Double CD)
* 2016 - "STAR'S END 2015 (SILENT CURRENTS 4)" (Projekt, CD)
* 2015 - "BLUE RADIANCE" (Projekt, CD)
* 2014 - "TIMELINES" (Projekt, CD)
* 2013 - "SILENT CURRENTS 3" (Projekt, Digital)
* 2012 - "AIRBORNE" (Projekt, CD)
* 2011 - "SILENT CURRENTS" (Projekt, Double CD)
* 2010 - "GATEWAY" (Projekt, CD)
* 2007 - "ELEVATIONS" (Spotted Peccary Music, CD)
* 2004 - "BLUE SKY, RED GUITARS" (Spotted Peccary Music, CD)
* 2003 - "THE POLAR DRONES" (GROOVE Unlimited, CD)
* 2003 - "EMOTIONAL LANDSCAPES" (Spotted Peccary Music, CD)
* 2001 - "WIND JOURNEY" (Monumental Records, CD)
* 1998 - "GUITAR NOVA" (Monumental Records, CD)
* 1996 - "TRANSIT" (Monumental Records, CD)
* 1992 - "SOLSTICE" (Origo Sound, CD-1992. Re-released on Spotted Peccary Music, CD-2012)
* 1990 - "IMAGES OF LIGHT" (Origo Sound, CD-1990. Re-released on Spotted Peccary Music, CD-2012)
* 1986 - "SILVER BEACH" (Originally released 1986. Re-release Projekt 2013) Digital Download
* 1985 - "TRACES" (Cicada Rec/Badland, LP-1985/CD-1988. Re-released on Spotted Peccary Music, CD-2012)
* 1984 - "DREAMS OF PYRAMIDS" (Hot Club Rec, LP-1984)
* 1983 - "WHERE IT ALL BEGINS" (Hot Club Rec, LP-1983/Monumental, CD-1999)
EP / Mini albums:
* 2022 - "INVERSIONS" (Projekt, Digital)
* 2015 - "ECHOTIDES" (Projekt, Digital)
* 2014 - "TUNDRA" (Projekt, Digital)
* 2013 - "CELESTIA" (Projekt, Digital)
* 2012 - "CRYSTAL BELLS" (Projekt, Digital)
* 2012 - "THE NOCTURNES" (Projekt, Digital)
* 2004 - "ITUNES EXCLUSIVES" (Spotted Peccary Music, Digital)
Together with other Artists/Projects:
* 2022 -
Ian Boddy
Ian Boddy is a British electronic musician and composer. In the early 1980s Boddy began experimenting at an Arts Council-funded studio in Newcastle. This period resulted in 3 cassette releases on the Mirage label, which showcased Boddy's work wi ...
/Erik Wøllo - "Revolve" (DiN73, CD-2022)
* 2021 - Byron Metcalf (feat: Erik Wøllo & Sherry Finzer) - "Rhythms of Remembering" (Dr Bam's Music, CD-2021)
* 2020 - Erik Wøllo/
Michael Stearns
Michael Stearns (born October 16, 1948) is an American musician and composer of ambient music. He is also known as a film composer, sound designer and soundtrack producer for large format films, theatrical films, documentaries, commercials, and ...
- "Convergence" (Projekt, CD)
* 2018 - Byron Metcalf (feat: Erik Wøllo & Peter Phippen) - "Inner Rhythm Meditations" II (Heartdance, CD-2018)
* 2018 -
Ian Boddy
Ian Boddy is a British electronic musician and composer. In the early 1980s Boddy began experimenting at an Arts Council-funded studio in Newcastle. This period resulted in 3 cassette releases on the Mirage label, which showcased Boddy's work wi ...
/Erik Wøllo - "Meridian" (DiN54, CD)
* 2016 - Byron Metcalf (feat: Erik Wøllo & Peter Phippen) - "Inner Rhythm Meditations" I (Sounds True, CD-2016)
* 2016 - Erik Wøllo/Byron Metcalf - "Earth Luminous" (Projekt, CD)
* 2014 - Erik Wøllo/Bernhard Wöstheinrich - "Weltenuhr" (DiN46, CD)
* 2014 -
Ian Boddy
Ian Boddy is a British electronic musician and composer. In the early 1980s Boddy began experimenting at an Arts Council-funded studio in Newcastle. This period resulted in 3 cassette releases on the Mirage label, which showcased Boddy's work wi ...
/Erik Wøllo - "EC-12" (Live in Germany 2012, DiN, Digital)
* 2012 -
Ian Boddy
Ian Boddy is a British electronic musician and composer. In the early 1980s Boddy began experimenting at an Arts Council-funded studio in Newcastle. This period resulted in 3 cassette releases on the Mirage label, which showcased Boddy's work wi ...
/Erik Wøllo - "Frontiers" (DiN, CD)
* 2011 -
Steve Roach/Erik Wøllo - "The Road Eternal" (Projekt, CD)
* 2010 - Kouame Sereba with Erik Wøllo - "Bako" (Etnisk Musikklubb, CD)
* 2009 - Erik Wøllo/Bernhard Wöstheinrich - "Arcadia Borealis" (DiN34, CD)
* 2009 - Deborah Martin/Erik Wøllo - "Between Worlds" (Spotted Peccary Music, CD)
* 2009 - Frank Van Bogaert with Erik Wøllo - "Air Machine" (Ace Studio Editions, CD)
* 2009 -
Steve Roach/Erik Wøllo - "Stream of Thought" (Projekt, CD)
* 2001 - Erik Wøllo/Hyperlinkto - "Musikk til en Meny" (Monumental/Hyperlinkto, CD)
* 1997 - EXILE - "Dimension D" (Origo Sound, CD)
* 1996 - Pacemaker - "Pacemaker EP" (Beatservice, EP)
* 1995 - Bry/Springgard/Wøllo - "Fossegrimen" (Cappelen, Book/CD)
* 1992 - New Music Composers Group - "In Real Time" (Albedo, CD)
* 1984 - Celeste - "Design by Music" (Col, LP)
* 1984 - Wiese/Wøllo/Waring - "Trio" (Maza Rec, LP-1984/Curling Legs, CD-2008)
Several selected compositions licensed for Collection Albums (not updated):
* 1999 - "Northern Nights" - (Six Degrees Records/Climate, CD)
* 2000 - "Music from the Edge" - (Margen Magazine, CD)
* 2001 - "The
Echoes Living Room Concerts, vol. 7" - (Echoes, CD)
* 2002 - "Lights Out VIII" - (KINK fm102, CD)
* 2003 - "The Echoes Living Room Concerts, vol. 9" - (Echoes, CD)
* 2004 - "Michael Garrison Tribute Collection" - (Groove Unlimited, CD)
* 2005 - "Lights Out IX" - (KINK fm102, CD)
* 2006 - "Lights Out X" - (KINK fm102, CD)
* 2007 - "
Stars End 30th Anniversary Anthology CD" (CD)
* 2009 - "The Projekt Sampler 2009" - (Projekt, CD)
* 2010 - "Afar" - (Projekt, CD)
* 2011 - "E-Day 2011" - (GROOVE Unlimited, CD)
* 2011 - "The Rope 25" - (Projekt, CD)
* 2011 - "The Echoes Living Room Concerts, Vol. 17" (Echoes, CD)
* 2011 - "PAWS, no - kill animal shelter benefit" CD Compilation (Industryeight CD)
* 2012 - "DiN40 - Various - iNDEX04" - DiN Records Sampler - (DiN, CD)
* 2013 - "Possibilities of Circumstance" - Various Artists (Projekt, CD)
* 2014 - "Winter 2014" - Various Artists (Projekt, CD)
* 2016 - "VISIONS" - A Collection of Music by Erik Wøllo (Projekt, CD)
* 2021 - "Gemstones" II - (Cyclical Dreams, digital 2021)
Library Music:
* 2021 - "Future Landscapes" (
De Wolfe Music
De Wolfe Limited (previously known as Music de Wolfe, often referred to as De Wolfe Music) is a British music production company, recognised as the originator of what has become known as library music. De Wolfe Music was established by Meyer de Wo ...
)
* 2020 - "Sonic Soundscapes" (
De Wolfe Music
De Wolfe Limited (previously known as Music de Wolfe, often referred to as De Wolfe Music) is a British music production company, recognised as the originator of what has become known as library music. De Wolfe Music was established by Meyer de Wo ...
)
* 2017 - "Ambient Landscapes" (
De Wolfe Music
De Wolfe Limited (previously known as Music de Wolfe, often referred to as De Wolfe Music) is a British music production company, recognised as the originator of what has become known as library music. De Wolfe Music was established by Meyer de Wo ...
)
* 2017 - "Ambient Landscapes" (
De Wolfe Music
De Wolfe Limited (previously known as Music de Wolfe, often referred to as De Wolfe Music) is a British music production company, recognised as the originator of what has become known as library music. De Wolfe Music was established by Meyer de Wo ...
)
* 2015 - "Science, Tech and Design" (
De Wolfe Music
De Wolfe Limited (previously known as Music de Wolfe, often referred to as De Wolfe Music) is a British music production company, recognised as the originator of what has become known as library music. De Wolfe Music was established by Meyer de Wo ...
)
* 2013 - "Ambisonics 1" (
De Wolfe Music
De Wolfe Limited (previously known as Music de Wolfe, often referred to as De Wolfe Music) is a British music production company, recognised as the originator of what has become known as library music. De Wolfe Music was established by Meyer de Wo ...
)
* 2013 - "Ambisonics 2" (
De Wolfe Music
De Wolfe Limited (previously known as Music de Wolfe, often referred to as De Wolfe Music) is a British music production company, recognised as the originator of what has become known as library music. De Wolfe Music was established by Meyer de Wo ...
)
* 2013 - "Electronic Landscapes" (
Synctracks)
* 2012 - Tracks on 13 collection albums (
Synctracks)
Other works for different ensembles:
* 1982 - "Formations" (String Quartet)
* 1986 - "En Brottsjø" (Saxophone Quartet)
* 1986 - "Solar" (Tape/Woodwinds)
* 1988 - "Windows" (Sinfonietta)
* 1990 - "Pre Sense" (2 pno/Cl/Tr/Tape)
* 1992 - "Vidder" (Organ/E.horn)
* 1992 - "Accordance" (String Quartet)
* 1994 - "Lost in Legoland" (Fl/Git/Voc)
* 1997 - "Magnushymnen" (Voc/Fl/Git/Brass)
* 1998 - "Ceramics" (Fl/Perc/Tape)
* 1998 - "Imaginations" (String Quartet)
* 1999 - "Millennium 2000" (Sinfonietta/Soprano/Choir/Organ)
* 2000 - "Transitions" (Sinfonietta/Soprano)
* 2002 - "Unity" (String Quartet)
* 2011 - "Snowflakes" (Girl Choir/Small Orchestra)
* 2013 - "Elementa Ultra" (Large Wind Orchestra/Guitar/Electronics)
* 2015 - "Fragmenter fra en Aftenstemning" (Large Wind Orchestra)
* 2016 - "Cluster" (String Quartet/Electronics)
Music for Ballet:
* 2007 - "Breathing Space" (Kjersti Engebrigtsen)
* 2004 - "Fragile" (Kjersti Engebrigtsen)
* 2004 - "Distant Buddha" (Teet Kask)
* 2002 - "Cascade" (Jane Hveding)
* 2001 - "Shadowgraph" (Teet Kask)
* 1999 - "Ursula X" (Teet Kask)
* 1999 - "Gips"(Spig Wibrodux)- (Wøllo/Bry/Kask)
* 1992 - "Jeg Drømte" (Kjersti Engebrigtsen)
* 1986 - "Pyramider" (Trine Thorbjørnsen)
Music for Theatre/Multi-media:
* 2007 - "Heimen Vår" (Bry/Springgard/Wøllo)
* 2005 - "Livskraften" (Thor Rummelhoff)
* 1996 - "Fossegrimen" (Bry/Springgard/Wøllo - 1992/95/96)
* 1996 - "Abiriels Løve" (Kittelsen/Thorbjørnsen)
* 1992 - "Aldri Verden" (Vik/Schjøll)
* 1991 - "Motspillerne" (Kittelsen/Thorbjørnsen - 1988/91)
Video/Film/Exhibitions:
* 1996 - "Transit" - music video to the album (X-Ray/Monumental).
* 1998 - "Rift" (Continental Drift) -Video from Iceland (Patrick Huse/Aschehoug).
* 1997 - "Antebellum America" -Video/Installation (Sven Påhlsson)
* 1998 - "Lay Out" -Video/Installation (Sven Påhlsson)
* 1999 - "Street Lights" -Video/Installation (Sven Påhlsson)
* 1999 - "Fun House" -Video/Installation (Sven Påhlsson)
* 2000 - "Crash Course" -Video/Installation (Sven Påhlsson)
* 2002 - "Sprawlville" -Video/Installation (Sven Påhlsson)
* 2003 - "Consuming Pleasures" -Video/Installation (Sven Påhlsson)
* 2003 - "Falling Down" -Video/Installation (Sven Påhlsson)
* 2005 - "Balling Games" -Video/Installation (Sven Påhlsson)
* 2006 - "Playing Games Paying Games" -Video/Installation (Sven Påhlsson)
* 2007 - "Lille Øistein" -computer game (Netron/Mediaparken)
* 2000 - "Ice Works", music to Ice sculpture (Helge Røed)
* 2000 - "Kulturstreif Hallingdal", -Internet project (www.kulturstreif.no)
* 2000 - "En Transformert Reise", video (Kirkhorn/Urstad)
* 2001 - "Chat Chat Chat", Animations/Internet interactive (Alvin/Hyperlinkto)
* 2003 - "Under Overflaten", video (Kurt Hermansen)
* 2005 - "Beacons", Light/Sound installation at Asker Railway station (Påhlsson/Wøllo)
* 2005 - "Elevator", Photo and Sound Installation (Christine Istad)
* 2005 - "Year", Dramatic Feature Film (Mike Carroll)
* 2006 - "Eventyrsøppel" - Installation with Music (Martens/Frantzen)
* 2011 - "Spectra Emotions", Video and Sound Installation (Christine Istad)
* 2012 - "Running High" -Video/Installation (Sven Påhlsson)
Diverse:
* Films / TV - documentaries: NRK/TV2 and others (Norway). Also diverse Film/Documentaries for TV and Radio in Europe, Japan and USA.
* Several Multimedia / Exhibitions
* "Off The Wall" - World music concert project for schools, produced by Rikskonsertene 2005. (Kouame Sereba/Erik Wøllo/Uriel Seri)
External links
Erik Wøllo, official website*
Steve Roach
*
Michael Stearns
Michael Stearns (born October 16, 1948) is an American musician and composer of ambient music. He is also known as a film composer, sound designer and soundtrack producer for large format films, theatrical films, documentaries, commercials, and ...
*
Ian Boddy
Ian Boddy is a British electronic musician and composer. In the early 1980s Boddy began experimenting at an Arts Council-funded studio in Newcastle. This period resulted in 3 cassette releases on the Mirage label, which showcased Boddy's work wi ...
*
Echoes
*
Stars End
*
Hearts of Space
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wollo, Erik
1961 births
Living people
Norwegian composers
Norwegian male composers
Hot Club Records artists
People from Hemsedal