Maranata - Ugly Euphoria (2025)

Maranata is Dag Stiberg on alto and baritone saxophones, and Jon Wesseltoft on electronics. They have have been a long-standing part of Oslo's underground scene for over 20 years. At times enlarging the core duo to expand the instrumentation they have invited various performers over the years to participate in the project.

This time they brought the exceptional Mexican and L.A. based, alto saxophone player Martín Escalante on board. Escalante himself a prolific player, brings his crushing sound into the blend. The result is a manic set dominated by the two saxophones bleeding into each other like frantic vapour trails fleeting in and out of Wesseltoft's layered and harsh electronics.

Coked up on coca leaves, bad beer and too much coffee, the trio of Wesseltoft /Stiberg/Escalante’s noise recordings can best be described by it's title, an oxymoronic terrifying bliss.

Jon Wesseltoft: Electronics
Dag Stiberg: Baritone and Alto Saxophone
Martín Escalante: Alto Saxophone