Spring 2025 has already delivered remarkable musical experiences from Norway’s adventurous musicians. SVS’s Torkjell Hovland has highlighted some of these for ballade.no, and in this mix he weaves new favorites together with classic tracks that have shaped everyday life. This is music to hold on to as times only grow stranger. At least the sun is shining.

During Easter, bassist Odd Magne Gridseth passed away. He was somewhat of a legend who sadly had to end his career early due to health issues. Gridseth hailed from Ørsta, Torkjell's hometown, and as a bassist growing up, Odd Magne was always an inspiration – "imagine, the world's best bassist is from Ørsta...". One of the tracks in this mixtape features Siri’s Svale Band from 1990, where Gridseth plays electric bass, alongside Bjørn Alterhaug on double bass.

And here you can find all of Torkjells Ballade journalism (in norwegian).

Egil Kalman & Hans Hulbækmo - Unit of Time
Reolô - Purrebæædn
Propan - Meditation 2
Telehiv - Hæwwa
Erlend Apneseth - Straumen Forbi
Ingebjørg Loe Bjørnstad - Hår
Siri’s Svale Band - Like That
Karl Bjorå - Somewhere You Made a Choice
Building Instrument - Baby, når du sover
The Beach Boys - I Just Wasn't Made for these times
Hamlet Gonashvili - Tsintskaro
Local Store - Love
Pumpegris - Dritten i Midten
Bill Frisell/Thomas Morgan - You Only Live Twice