(CD)

MØ:SAN is an experimental trio formed in Bergen, Norway, in the autumn of 2020. The trio is defined by minimalism, expressionism, and improvisation.

Their music is described by a mixture of atmospheric sounds and noises, polyphony, and regular and irregular interactions. By using acoustic and electronic elements they evoke folk-like storytelling. “Mr. Mountain’s Folktales” contains both conventional and unconventional musical aspects based on graphic scores, which are expressed through lines, symbols, and rough sketches.

The band name, MØ:SAN, is a combination of two Korean words for mountain “뫼” and “산”, with “Ø” to indicate the origin of the trio.

Their debut album, “Mr. Mountain’s Folktales”, has a narrative arc that tells the story of a man in the mountain. But it is also evoking the relationship between human and mountain, of the emotions and relationships that a human has towards the mountain, the historical rituals and abstractions. These points of inspiration are related to the composer Jung-Jae Kim’s personal experience and connection to the mountain which is a common environment and a significant symbol in both Norway, where he was living, and South Korea, where he is from.

Jung-Jae Kim - saxophone, Finlay Hare - cello, Amund Nordstrøm - drums, mod.synth