Tellefs - Upstairs in a Tent (2025) [Hi-Res]

After several decades as a central figure in the Norwegian music scene, Tellef Kvifte finally has his own band – fittingly named Tellefs. They are now releasing their second album, once again inviting us into a musical landscape between Norwegian and Irish traditional music and jazz – this time with more self-composed tunes than on their debut.

The band name is a playful reference to Swedish dance bands, and the music of Tellefs is indeed danceable – though in a rather different genre than traditional Swedish dansbandsmusik. The album title, Upstairs in a Tent, originates from an Irish tune the band had planned to include but never got to record. Still, the name lingered, so they decided to keep it.

Kvifte is known for his genre-defying approach and for showcasing unusual instruments in new contexts. As on the first album, Tellef plays the distinctive taragot – a soprano saxophone-like instrument commonly used in Eastern European folk music, which in recent years has caught the attention of several jazz musicians.

Tellef Kvifte - Taragot and recorder
Magnus Wiik - guitar
Åsmund Reistad - bass
Knut Kvifte Nesheim - drums

Tracklist:
1-1 Tellefs;Åsmund Reistad;Tellef Kvifte;Magnus Wiik;Knut Kvifte Nesheim - Brooklyn Bar [3:07]
1-2 Tellefs;Åsmund Reistad;Tellef Kvifte;Magnus Wiik;Knut Kvifte Nesheim - På åkeren ut [5:04]
1-3 Tellefs;Åsmund Reistad;Tellef Kvifte;Magnus Wiik;Knut Kvifte Nesheim - Can't Elope Island [4:35]
1-4 Tellefs;Åsmund Reistad;Tellef Kvifte;Magnus Wiik;Knut Kvifte Nesheim - Gamal vals frå Numedal [2:49]
1-5 Tellefs;Åsmund Reistad;Tellef Kvifte;Magnus Wiik;Knut Kvifte Nesheim - Tante Gerdas gangar [3:18]
1-6 Tellefs;Åsmund Reistad;Tellef Kvifte;Magnus Wiik;Knut Kvifte Nesheim - Dolkaren [3:16]
1-7 Tellefs;Åsmund Reistad;Tellef Kvifte;Magnus Wiik;Knut Kvifte Nesheim - Gjetingen [3:10]
1-8 Tellefs;Åsmund Reistad;Tellef Kvifte;Magnus Wiik;Knut Kvifte Nesheim - Etc. [3:14]
1-9 Tellefs;Åsmund Reistad;Tellef Kvifte;Magnus Wiik;Knut Kvifte Nesheim - Rilsett [2:36]
1-10 Tellefs;Åsmund Reistad;Tellef Kvifte;Magnus Wiik;Knut Kvifte Nesheim - Sjøfløytespringar [3:04]
1-11 Tellefs;Åsmund Reistad;Tellef Kvifte;Magnus Wiik;Knut Kvifte Nesheim - Halling etter Barbro Myhre [2:56]