#65 - Mattias Thedens of Gangar: Dreng, Criticism, and Playing with Tradition

Send us Fan MailToday’s guest is a very dear friend of mine, Mattias Thedens, who is a renowned fiddler in the Norwegian folk scene and most known for his place as the frontman of folk rock band Gangar. In this episode, Mattias and I talk about the new album Dreng and the joys of touring before getting into a deeper conversation about tradition and how to handle criticism as a new artist.Oslo-based Gangar bring a fresh take on Nordic roots music. The five-piece ensemble — Mattias Truell Thedens (Hardanger fiddle), Oskar Goedvriend Lindberget (saxophone), Richard Max (guitar), Jonas Thrana Jensen (bass), and Henrik Dullum (drums) — digs rare traditional tunes out of Norway's folk archives and rearranges them through rock, folk-metal, and jazz improvisation. The Hardanger fiddle, once banned in churches as "the devil's instrument" and now Norway's national instrument, gives the band its distinctive sound. Since their first concert in 2021 they've become one of Norway's most in-demand musical exports, playing Rudolstadt (DE), Sziget (HU), Celtic Connections (Scotland), and Port Fairy Folk Festival (Australia). Debut EP "Tre Danser" (2022, Heilo Records) was followed by debut album "Stubb" (2023). Second full-length "Dreng" was recorded in 2024 and released April 2026 on Heilo / Sounds Like Gold.Support the showThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons over on Patreon.com/jamesonfosterBarMonicaEmberGeorgeBetsCarrieGenLeighMikeCindyClaytonDrakeEricJamieJuliaMaryMichaelMichaelSeanSimonTonyYou too can support the project at patreon.com/nordicsound