Martin Hagfors, a brilliant tunesmith & musician paints his masterpiece with the release of his solo debut Men and Flies. Considered to be one of Scandinavia’s leading folk-rock artists, Martins’ unique blend of acoustic psychedelia places him in solidly in the same camp as Brian Wilson, Sufjan Stevens, Colin Blunstone and Beck. Martin, a politically and socially active bloke is often likened to a modern day Woody Guthrie. A natural storyteller with irony for days, he addresses his concern over the war in Iraq and CO2 quotas in “I Need to Know.” Similar to Guthrie, Hagfors has earned his reputation and his success as a working artist, constantly writing and gigging.

The songs for Men and Flies were written on guitar and piano and arranged and produced by Lars Horntveth of Jaga Jazzist and The National Bank. There is no shortage of praise from the Norwegian press; "Hagfors could be nominated for best composer, best debutant and Grammy legend (Spellemann) award all in the same year. His songs immediately grab the listener."
- Dagens Næringsliv

Performing on the record were Kenneth Kapstad, Nikolai Eilertsen, David Wallumrød, Mathias Eick, Erik Johannessen, Morten Qvenild, Lars Håvard Haugen and an eminent string section consisting of Frode Larsen, Øyvind Fossheim, Stig-Ove Ose,Audun Andre Sandvik and Marius Flateby.

Hagfors has released over a dozen records with the bands HGH and Home Groan. He is admired for his diversity and experimentation with a wide variety of instruments and sounds. On Men and Flies, Hagfors retains his traditional folk spirit but blends it with Horntveth’s genius arrangements creating a unique combination of orchestrated pop, jazz and chamber music. The horn section that includes the ECM solo artist, Mathias Eick is particularly strong in the beautifully orchestrated, lyrically sensuous and originally titled, “Tattooed On My Eyes”.

American-born Hagfors has collaborated with a variety of Norwegian musicians such as The National Bank, Motorpsycho, Askil Holm, the ever popular Hellbillies and has also co-written songs with Big Bang. And singer Bobby Bare recorded Martin’s “Tears of Lead” on His last release Dreams of Yesterday.

Men & Flies will be released in America on cd and beautiful double gatefold vinyl on February 23rd with distribution by CD Baby.

Date	Venue	City & State
* New dates are shown in RED

AllGigs April 2010 (link)

Blurt March 2010 (link)

East Village Radio February 2010 (link)

Babysue February 2010 (link)

The Aquarian February 2010 (PDF)

"Norway's Martin Hagfors has produced quite a collection of albums in his native country, but his pop perfect sound has the potential to garner much wider appeal. Like Brian Wilson, Van Dyke Parks, and Sufjan Stevens, Hagfors is a musical craftsman intent on creating fastidious, pristine soundscapes that are whittled down to the finest detail."
- Blurt

“Men and Flies is Martin's solo full-length debut album...and it's chock full of smart, well-arranged pop tunes, plus the guy has a great voice.”
- Babysue.com

“Picture the psychedelic sounds of the Beach Boys mixed with the acoustic rock of Pete Seeger and you have Martin Hagfors.”
- The Aquarian

”Well-crafted and sumptuously-arranged pop music. Hagfors has quite a range, both lyrically and musically. Every stop on this disc has its own scenery, but the whole comes together almost effortlessly. Right in my sweet spot.”
- Aiding & Abetting

Hagfors could be nominated for best composer, best debutant and Grammy legend (Spellemann) award all in the same year. His songs immediately grab the listener.
- Dagens Næringsliv

The song titles infer a certain witty humor in the lyrics and do not disappoint. Showing his musical maturity, Hagfors is capable of juxtaposing the humorous with the serious. Home Groan has crafted an excellent, musically mature album with intelligent, memorable lyrics and wonderful backing arrangement.
- Home Groan-Radio Indy

5/6. An album drenched in harmonic melody, spiced up with intricate arrangements and with lyrics clinically clean of clichés.
- Dagbladet

5/6. Ambitious pop music with a warm human touch.
- Adresseavisen

5/6. Martin Hagfors has been referred to as our most important song writer, that I won't debate.
- HGH-Aftenposten

5/6. This reviewer has now found his new “favorite song” in Hagfors’s Emergency Exit.
- Home Groan- Bergenstidene

5/6. Engaging and beautiful pop music, the listener is immediately drawn into his universe…
- Aftenposten

6/6. Martin Hagfors is the world coolest guy. His songs are small masterpieces and his delivery gave me the chills…
- Finnmarken

6/6. It’s impossible to mention any highlights as every word and every note qualifies for that title.
- Nordlandsposten