Origami Arktika - Trollebotn

Origami Arktika started in 1992 & found its current line-up in 1999 fronted by the beautiful voice of
Rune Flaten backed by all stars of the Norwegian underground like Tore Bøe (Origami Republika
founder), Kai Mikalsen (Kobi), Kjell Runar Jenssen (Motorpsycho, Del), Kjell Øyvind Braaten
(Varde, Ehwaz), Kjell-Olav Jørgensen (Salvatore), & Bjarne Larsen (Salvatore). Combining elements
of ambient noise, post rock, drone, & electro-acoustics with traditional Norwegian folk gives Origami
Arktika the unique sound they have grown to be known for on their seventh album, Trollebotn.
Trollebotn is a mythical & geographical landscape. It exists in song & legend, while at the same time
being an area in Seljord, Telemark, in Norway. The mythic Trollebotn is situated on the brim of the
world, across wide waters, where the trolls & mountain giants live. To go there you’d have to cross
the treacherous sea, on a famous boat or a magical steed. Trollebotn bears close resemblance to the
heathen Norse concept of Jotunheim; the dangerous, wild area outside of & surrounding Midgard,
where men & gods made their homes. To reach the geographical area of Trollebotn, all you need is a
good pair of hiking boots. It is on the Seljordshei, a mountainous area on the outskirts of the county of
Seljord, in the heart of the rugged area of Telemark. Trollebotn used to be a very backwards area,
where old customs & habits were kept longer than in most other places. Many of the songs on this
album have been salvaged from this area, by compilers who did their best to rescue what was still in
people’s memory at a time when old folklore was slipping away.
The recording of Origami Arktika’s new album took place at Vesleøy, an island in the Seljord lake. In
the middle of this deep & clear body of cold water, the recording spot was situated at the southernmost
point of the island, overlooking the geographical Trollebotn. The site has water on three sides, &
the wilderness of the island at the back. In the immediate vicinity there are several Bronze Age graves,
& in the lake there is reputedly a sea-monster, the Seljordsorm. The songs on the album are tales of
lust, deceit, dancing, drinking, murder, & giants. Trollebotn was recorded as much as possible in an
open air situation, to include the sounds of the lake & wilderness, to truly capture the magic of this
tucked away part of the world.

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