Tom Roger Aadland writes songs that merge melodic intensity, lyrical awareness and superb musical craftsmanship. Touring Ireland, South Africa and Norway, he has gained recognition as a brilliant lyricist, an emotive singer, and an accomplished guitarist. Many have become aware of his previous album Blod på spora (Dylan in Norwegian). This spring he is releasing the follow-up album Det du aldri sa. After translating Dylan successfully, he has now written some new songs with strong lyrics and finely crafted melodies, musically influenced by rock, roots, folk and more.
Blod på spora, a Norwegian reworking of Bob Dylan’s legendary Blood on the Tracks album, was released in 2009 to brilliant reviews. Especially the Norwegian translations gained much acclaim. Fredrik Wandrup in Dagbladet called Tom Roger’s version of the album “beautiful and touching”, while Aftenposten stated that Blod på spora was an “impressive Norwegian classic”. The album success took Tom Roger on an extensive tour around Norway, finishing at the House of Literature in Oslo. When Bob Dylan became a new subject at Oslo University, Tom Roger had the honor of holding the opening lecture.
Before endeavoring to translate Bob Dylan, Tom Roger did the remarkable multimedia tour Pictures In Rock in collaboration with prize winning rock photographer Fin Costello. For that occasion they took an exhibition of some 75 iconic rock photos on the road, visiting arts centers and concert halls with a show that was both a photo exhibition and a rock concert. “A blooming fine night for rock”, was one reviewer’s summary.
After many concerts in Ireland, it was natural for Tom Roger to record his debut album Obviously Embraced in Dublin with Irish musicians. Pianist and producer Brian Connor (Van Morrison, Riverdance) called on some of the most respected rock musicians in Ireland for the recordings, including drummer Robbie Casserly (Elvis Costello, Mark Knopfler) and bass player Nick Scott (Van Morrison, Sinead O’Connor). After hearing the tracks, engineer Alastair McMillan (Rolling Stones, U2), volunteered to mix the album, later to be mastered by legendary Greg Calbi (Norah Jones, Dylan) at Sterling Sound in New York.
When Obviously Embraced was released in 2007, Ireland’s foremost rock magazine Hotpress wrote, “We suspect that his lovely blend of melody and commentary will earn him loads of fans”. Six months later the album came out in Norway, the press being equally positive. Critics praised the strength of the melodies, as well as the storytelling lyrics – some claimed that the mythical musical landscape of Ireland had released Tom Roger as a singer and songwriter.
Before Ireland, Tom Roger Aadland had done recordings in Zimbabwe with local musicians and visited festivals and concert stages in South Africa with his music. “It comes as no surprise that Tom Roger writes good songs”, Cape Argus claimed when he played in Cape Town, referring to his broad musical background. He has studied classical guitar with some of the world’s best guitarists and has written music for everything from rock band to symphony orchestra.
Tom Roger Aadland is no doubt still on the way, but for now he is at a good place, unifying his interest in literature and text with a versatile musicality and a strong lyrical creative urge. He collaborates just as easily with die-hard indie rockers as with virtuoso folk musicians or internationally renowned producers. The songs are his purpose.
