Archive: Darling West - While I Was Asleep

Tracklist

1. After My Time (Single, 23.06.2017)

2. Rolling On

3. Loneliness (Single, 12.01.2018)

4. Better Than Gold

5. Always Around

6. While I Was Asleep (Single, 23.06.2017)

7. Traveller (Single, 13.10.2017)

8. Ballad Of An Outlaw

9. Don't I Know You

10. How I Wish

Darling West are in the forefront of Nordic Americana

Darling West experienced a spectacular breakthrough in their musical career after the release of their second album, «Vinyl and a Heartache» in 2016. They were awarded a Norwegian Spellemann award (equivalent of Grammy), listed on Norway’s biggest radio channels and appeared on the Top 100 Country charts in the US. They have played shows all over the world – among the highlights are several of Norway’s biggest festivals, SXSW in Texas, Americanafest in Nashville, Folk Alliance in Kansas City, a tour with Sam Outlaw and a support slot for Lucinda Williams. Those are many highlights. They have also had several million plays on Spotify, appearing in several influential playlists.

Always ambitious and restless, the band didn’t rest on their acquired laurels. Contrarily, they headed straight into the studio to record the follow-up to «Vinyl and a Heartache». Darling West’s third album, the self-produced «While I Was Asleep», contained ten new songs, and was released worldwide February 16th, 2018.

“The trios third LP showcases their mastery of roots forms, from the austere folk of Gillian Welch («Rolling On») to the primary-colored folk-pop of Allison Krauss («Loneliness»)”

— Uncut

Although they have added drums, the band stays true to their sound and still plays the sweet americana/country/folk they are known for. Moreover, the new album demonstrates a revitalized Darling West, with more drive in the music and even catchier melodies than before – who would have thought that was even possible?

Darling West’s career continues to be on the up, and 2018 promises to be their biggest year so far. Preceding the album release is a visit to the Eurosonic music festival in the Netherlands and the release of the album’s fourth single, «Loneliness». A visit to Folk Alliance in Kansas City coincided with the album release date, and provided a fitting arena for the launch of «While I Was Asleep». So far the album has received raving reviews from Uncut Magazine, Greil Marcus in Village Voice Classic Rock Magazine, Folk Radio UK, Belwood Music, Americana Highways and many more.

Credits

Mari Sandvær Kreken: lead and backing vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, harmonica, mandolin

Tor Egil Kreken: lead and backing vocals, Fender VI, banjo, electric guitar (5, 7, 8), acoustic guitar (2)

Kjetil Steensnæs: backing vocals, acoustic and electric 6- & 12-string guitars, pedal steel, mandoguitar

Additional musicians:

Thomas Gallatin: drums & percussion
David Wallumrød: Wurlitzer (4), Prophet 5 (2, 9), upright piano (8)
Kåre Chr. Vestrheim: Mellotron (1)
Mari Persen: strings (7)
Marcus Forsgren: shaker (4)
Malin Pettersen: backing vocals (3, 4)

Choir on "Rolling On" and "Ballad of an Outlaw": Live Miranda Solberg, Stine Andreassen, Thomas Gallatin, Kjetil steensnæs, Mari Sandvær Kreken, Tor Egil Kreken

Produced by Darling West.
Recorded and co-produced by Bård Ingebrigtsen at AmperTone Studio.
Mixed by Marcus Forsgren at Studio Paradiso.
Mastered by Espen Høydalsvik at Tinnitus.Mastering

All songs written by Mari Sandvær Kreken and Tor Egil Kreken