about
Marte Røyeng
b. 1990 – Oslo, Norway
Composer, performer and lyricist working within the fields of contemporary music, popular music, theatre and dance
As a performer I have played concerts and music theatre performances in Norway and Europe, both solo and as part of groups.
My work as a contemporary composer alternates between acoustic chamber music and the realisation of musical ideas through an expanded concept of composition with elements drawn from visual theatre and visual art. With the latter approach, I explore how compositional techniques, structures and ways of thinking can permeate visual aspects of the music, focusing and enhancing the aural experience. So far, I have worked on combining sonic materials with video with animated drawings, moving scenography, sculpture, lighting, choreographed movements for musicians, and puppetry.
I studied Composition at the Norwegian Academy of Music (2016-2021) and write acoustic and electroacoustic music for solo performers, chamber groups, large ensembles and choir. I also hold a BA in Musicology from the University of Oslo and Goldsmiths, University of London.
Works of mine have been performed by Oslo String Quartet, asamisimasa, Pinquins and Damkapellet, among others. I have had pieces performed at Ultima Oslo Contemporary Music Festival (NO), Musik 21 Niedersachsen (DE), EarPort Sommerfest (DE), Copenhagen Jazz Festival (DK), Teater Innlandet (NO), Bådteatret (DK), Only Connect Festival at MUNCH (NO), Inn:Pust (NO), Norsjø kammermusikkfest (NO), Voxlab: VårFEST at Sentralen (NO) and Ung Nordisk Musik festival 2021 (DK).
I have released and participated on several records. As a singer-songwriter I have released the album "Reach" (2019, Oslo Session Recordings) produced by Even Ormestad, and the EP “No One” (2017, Groundling) produced by Thomas Helland (Thom Hell) featuring musicians Olaf Olsen and Ole-Henrik Moe [listen in Discography].
I enjoy collaborative work, both as a composer and performer, see Collaborations.
“Røyeng's piece […] is a wonderful mosaic of irregular rhythms, baroque phrases and witty articulation.”
– Karolina Dąbek, Ruch Muzyczny (translated) ; Review of “Lokkopp” performed by Oslo String Quartet during NeoArte Synthesizer of Arts, Oslo.
Interviews
Klassisk Vorspiel, NRK P2 (Norwegian)
Spillerom Søndag, NRK P2 (Norwegian) with Blomsterbed
“Utvider kartet”, TONO.no (Norwegian)
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“Marte Røyeng er ei flott stemme som har kommet for å bli - veldig lenge. (...) et møte med en svært så lovende og særegen artist som det skal bli veldig spennende å følge i åra som kommer, det være seg som popartist eller samtidskomponist. ”
— Tor Hammerø, Nettavisen review of “Reach” (2019)
"Halvveis i det prestisjetunge kandidatstudiet i komposisjon på Norges musikkhøgskole, sender Marte Røyeng ut en popperle av et debutalbum."
– GAFFA on “Reach” (2019)
“Dette er ekstremt bra greier.”
— Ole Morten Wilhelmsen review of “Reach” (2019)
“Eit delikat og raffinert popverk av ein undervurdert artist. ”
– Malin Langøy Aarbø, GAFFA.no review of “No One” EP (2017)
“Tekstene er poetiske og smarte (de færreste skriver gode tekster på sitt andrespråk) – fri for klisjéer og språkblomster. […] Røyeng holder høyere nivå enn flere godt etablerte norske artister som driver i samme sjanger som henne”
— Deichmans musikkblogg review of “No One” EP (2017)
“Røyeng er en dreven singer/songwriter som definitivt har noe gående”
— Platespiller'n review of “The Key” single (2016)
Photo credit: 1+2: Larissa Terescenko, 3: Signe Fuglesteg Luksengard, 4: Jan-Kristian Schriwer