Album Notes

Martin Hagfors, a brilliant tunesmith & musician paints his masterpiece with the release of his solo debut Men and Flies. Considered to be one of Scandinavia’s leading folk-rock artists, Martins’ unique blend of acoustic psychedelia places him in solidly in the same camp as Brian Wilson, Sufjan Stevens, Colin Blunstone and Beck. Martin, a politically and socially active bloke is often likened to a modern day Woody Guthrie. A natural storyteller with irony for days, he addresses his concern over the war in Iraq and CO2 quotas in “I Need to Know.” Similar to Guthrie, Hagfors has earned his reputation and his success as a working artist, constantly writing and gigging.

The songs for Men and Flies were written on guitar and piano and arranged and produced by Lars Horntveth of Jaga Jazzist and The National Bank. There is no shortage of praise from the Norwegian press; “Hagfors could be nominated for best composer, best debutant and Grammy legend (Spellemann) award all in the same year. His songs immediately grab the listener.
” -Dagens Næringsliv
Performing on the record were Kenneth Kapstad, Nikolai Eilertsen, David Wallumrød, Mathias Eick, Erik Johannessen, Morten Qvenild, Lars Håvard Haugen and an eminent string section consisting of Frode Larsen, Øyvind Fossheim, Stig-Ove Ose,Audun Andre Sandvik and Marius Flateby.

Hagfors has released over a dozen records with the bands HGH and Home Groan. He is admired for his diversity and experimentation with a wide variety of instruments and sounds. On Men and Flies, Hagfors retains his traditional folk spirit but blends it with Horntveth’s genius arrangements creating a unique combination of orchestrated pop, jazz and chamber music. The horn section that includes the ECM solo artist, Mathias Eick is particularly strong in the beautifully orchestrated, lyrically sensuous and originally titled, “Tattooed On My Eyes”.

American-born Hagfors has collaborated with a variety of Norwegian musicians such as The National Bank, Motorpsycho, Askil Holm, the ever popular Hellbillies and has also co-written songs with Big Bang. And singer Bobby Bare recorded Martin’s “Tears of Lead” on
His last release Dreams of Yesterday.

Men & Flies will be released in America on cd and beautiful double gatefold vinyl on February 23rd with distribution by CD Baby.

www.martinhagfors.com * www.homegroan.net * www.myspace.com/hagfors

Media Contact: Pati deVries at The devious planet
212-751-2532 * patidevries@deviousplanet.com * www.deviousplanet.com