Stian Carstensen is a multiple prize-winning recipient of the Norwegian Music Industry Awards. He has collaborated with many renowned artists in a multitude of projects. Musically he is recognized for groundbreaking work blending together different styles and traditions to push the boundaries of what is considered feasible. He has received glowing reviews from critics and fans alike who warm to his affable and personal stage-performances.

His new single release Hippocampus Serenade is a perfect precursor of what to expect from the album. Each track title combines cerebral elements and traditional dances and aims to stimulate the mind with effervescent imagery and evoke a contemplative reverie which will linger long in the listener's afterthoughts.

As a renowned "style-bender" of repute, Stian naturally attracts a distinct calibre of musical collaborator. In Hippocampus Serenade he has utilized the talents of Ola Kvernberg, Jarle Vespestad, Finn Guttormsen, Audun Sandvik, Atle Sponberg, Bjarne Magnus Jensen, Sidsel Walstad, Torbjorn Dyrud, Pål Hausken, Gabriel Carstensen Oien, Finn Guttormsen and Marinette Tonning-Olsen. Instruments used on this track include mellotron, viola, violin, cello, Bulgarian flute, timpani, pedal steel, harp, fremch horn, 12-string acoustic guitar, baryton guitar, bass, organ, drums and percussion

As an added bonus there will also be a video release of Hippocampus Serenade. A video, the likes of which we dare say the viewer has rarely, if ever, seen before. A filmatic art piece, straddling the liminal boundaries between dream and nightmare, where we are introduced to the Musical Asylum, and from which the only escape is through sublimination of self within the very music causing so much dissonance to the psyche in the first place! The talented crew and co-creators include Norwegian artist Lars Elling and British cult phenom Dave Mckean.

Contributing artists on his upcoming album include Ola Kvernberg, Mike Patton from Faith No More and Tomahawk as well as young Brit wunderkind Jacob Collier and Todd Terje. The overall sound of this album is epic evoking 70s music and classic film scores.