Press & Reviews

Meelodi — The Great Blue Wheel (2020) & Chahâr (2023)

Selected as "Top of the World" (Top 10 Album Releases Globally) by the prestigious UK world music authority, Songlines Magazine.

"An imaginative fusion of Persian classical poetry and contemporary acoustic grooves... Farstad’s broad guitar influences and working knowledge of string instruments from around the world meets with Farmani’s interpretations in a truly international collaboration... the music is beautifully nuanced."
— Tom Newell, Songlines Magazine (UK)

"The core of Meelodi is the Iranian vocalist Medi Farmani and guitarist Ole André Farstad. Together they have created the finest surprise of the winter. [...] It is easy to dream yourself away when listening to Meelodi."
— Svein Andersen, Aftenposten (Norway's leading daily)

Ole André Farstad — Serendipities (Solo Album, 2025)

"The string master Ole André Farstad appears in a variety of constellations. However, this is the first time I have met him in an open and free universe – completely alone. [...] This time he has thrown himself out into deep waters without a life jacket."
— Tor Hammerø, Tor de Jazz

"Ole André Farstad plays basically anything with strings. Here we meet him completely alone, and he delivers a beautiful calling card. [...] A unique musical soul."
— Tor Hammerø, Tor de Jazz

Tilibo — Woo La Ba (2024)

"Here they carry the legacy of giants like Toumani Diabaté and Ali Farka Touré forward with their playful kora-guitar dialogue. From thousand-year-old songs via the blues and jazz to modernity, this is an explosive new collaboration."
— Official Review / Editorial Spotlight, Riksscenen / Ballade.no

"Tilibo is the name of the collaboration between Bergen guitarist and string master Ole André Farstad, and kora player Ibou Cissokho... a rare and virtuosic meeting where different musical traditions are united at the absolute highest level."
— Arvid Skancke-Knutsen, Ballade.no

Abbath — Outstrider (2019) & Dread Reaver (2022)

"New guitarist Ole André Farstad adds tremendous texture and flamboyance in his solos... guitar work that evokes more fist pumps than windmills."
— Kevin Stewart-Panko, Decibel Magazine (USA)

"Each member of the new lineup is allowed to dominate their space, be it the piercing licks and solos of Guitarist Ole Andre Farstad..."
— Jeannie Blue, Cryptic Rock (USA)

Orchestral & Contemporary Classical Music

"Guitarist Ole André Farstad and the BIT20 Ensemble deliver a tour de force of musical precision and expressiveness during the performance of Bára Gísladóttir's complex work at the Bergen International Festival (Festspillene i Bergen). This stands out as an absolute highlight."
— Concert Review, Bergens Tidende 2025