Stian Westerhus is one of Norway’s most in demand young musicians playing in bands like Monolithic (with Kenneth Kapstad from Motorpsycho), Puma, Nils Petter Molvaer Group and more.
For the last few years Stian Westerhus has put more and more energy into challenging the electric guitar alone on a stage. Having been blessed with little or no respect for the instrument his performances balance raw expressiveness, virtuosity and melodic instinct utilizing his Norwegian heritage as well as growing up listening to Slayer.
With a soundscape far beyond the standard guitar he seeks to push the
boundaries for improvised music across the muddy waters of genres.
Stian Westerhus’ debut solo album “Galore” was released May 2009 on
Rune Grammofon/TLRC, and Stian’s second solo album “Pitch Black Star Spangled” was released on Rune Grammofon in May 2010.
“The sense of menace is generated with huge energy by the belligerently brilliant Norwegian guitarist Westerhus who coaxes a plethora of tortured sounds from his axe, bowed notes elongating into harmonic dismemberment of epic proportions. (...) This is heady, sometimes heavy, otherworldly stuff, fuelled by jazz but never hindered by it. Welcome to the new century of improvised music."
- JazzWise Magazine, U.K.
Stian has also played with trumpeter Arve Henriksen, Ståle Storløkken
(Supersilent), Zach Hill (Hella), Lasse Marhaug, Kjetil Möster, Paal Nilssen-Love, Trondheim Soloists, Trondheim Voices and many many more, as well as receiving awards like “Young Jazz Musician Of The Year” (N), “Molde International Jazz Festival Talent Award” (N) and “BBC’s Award for Innovation in Jazz” (UK).
Stian Westerhus also writes and performs music for modern dance.
Pitch Black Star Spangled press outtakes:
“There's little in the canon of solo guitar—with the possible exception of Derek Bailey and Fred Frith—that can prepare or set precedence for Norwegian guitarist Stian Westerhus and Pitch Black Star Spangled, an album that utterly redefines the concept of solo recording.”
“Melody according to Westerhus, however, is unlike any melody you're likely to hear elsewhere.” “...some of the most exciting new music on the instrument”
“Pitch Black Star Spangled is a masterpiece of solo guitar, positioning the boldly unrelenting Westerhus as an artist whose realized promise only suggests far more to come.”
“one of Norway's most important new voices.”
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-John Kelman, All About Jazz (US)
“In my ears Stian Westerhus’ music and playing doesn’t derive from any other guitarist or musician. Of course he has gathered inspiration from a row of sources, but more clearly than ever Stian Westerhus comes across as an incredibly exciting and original musician.”
- Tor Hammerø, side2 (N)
“Pulverizes every notion people may have about every kind of guitar hero. There are guitar sounds here you have never heard before.”
- Midjo, Trønder-Avisa (N)
“Ultimate proof why Stian Westerhus is one of our most uncomprimising and exciting musicians”
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-Vegar Enlid, Adressa (N)
“..this is such unbelivably beautiful music, which despite it’s first apparent inaccessibility is incredibly easy to love, and hits me directly in some sort of absurd music-lover’s nerve center. Unconventional music in the highest degree, but at the same time so much more moving than the vast majority. (...) Look forward to the journey to another place!”
- KimVonKlev (N)
