Sudan Dudan

Duo from Valdres, formed in 2003 The duo Mattisgard and Røine has, in a short time, made a name for itself as one of the most interesting groups within Norwegian folk music today. The two musicians create distinctive, sometimes improvised, arrangements for vocals and string instruments for broadside ballads, humorous songs, lyrics set to fiddle tunes and lullabies. Marit Mattisgard accompanies her singing on the langeleik (Norwegian zither), and Anders Erik Røine plays the guitar, fiddle, Jew’s harp, banjo and mandolin in addition to singing. Their debut recording, Sudan Dudan (2006), has an atmosphere and arrangements that are reminiscent of such diverse areas as the Appalachian Mountains of the USA, Valdres in Norway, and Africa. They have been inspired by American old-time music, and the title of the recording indicates an association with the African country of Sudan. Mattisgard and Røine held a showcase concert at Folkelarm in 2006, and the duo was nominated for that year’s Norwegian Folk Music Award in two categories, including Newcomer of the Year. They were the warm-up band for Odd Nordstoga on the launch tour for his recording Heim te mor. Mattisgard and Røine have received support from Arts Council Norway.