Biography
Darling West is a Norwegian country band based in Oslo and comprising Mari Sandvær Kreken (vocals, mandolin, acoustic guitar, harmonica, dulcimer), Tor Egil Kreken (vocals, banjo) and Kjetil Steensnæs (vocals, guitar)
The band was formed when the couple Mari and Tor Egil Kreken decided that the best way to get to spend some quality time together, was to create a common band project. They asked musical soul mate and guitar player extraordinaire Kjetil Steensnæs to join them, and Darling West was complete.
They all spent their formative years working as session musicians for other artists, but something magical happens when the three of them get together as Darling West. Writing their own songs, they create music that resonates equally well on the crowded streets of Nashville, the sunny mountaintops of Hollywood Hills and in the rainy valleys of Norway.
When asked to name musicians they’re inspired by, the band cites legends such as Emmylou Harris, Doc Watson, Gram Parsons, John Prine and Townes Van Zandt, but also current artists Gillian Welch, Kacey Musgraves, Ryan Adams, Sam Outlaw and Jason Isbell.
In 2014 the group released their first album, Winter Passing, which was nominated for “Country Album of the Year” at the Spellemannpris (Norwegian Grammy Awards). Their second album “Vinyl and a Heartache” was released in 2016.
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