Olav Larsen & The Alabama Rodeo Stars Photo Credit: By Torje Fanebust As
In the windswept coastal town of Sandnes, Norway, a soulful twist on Americana has taken root. At the heart of this unlikely musical evolution stands Olav Larsen & The Alabama Rodeo Stars, a band that proves that heartfelt country music knows no borders. Led by Olav Larsen, an African-Norwegian artist raised in Stavanger, the group has spent nearly two decades weaving together the threads of American folk, gospel, blues, and alt-country with the cool clarity and introspection of Scandinavian sensibility. Larsen’s musical identity is steeped in reverence for tradition. Drawing inspiration from Americana legends such as Gram Parsons, Hank Williams, ohn Prine, Neil Young, and Bob Dylan, Olav channels their spirit while grounding his lyrics in a deeply personal and Norwegian experience.
As a self-described country purist, his work is devoid of irony or theatrical imitation, what you hear is a man honoring the music that shaped his soul, filtered through the landscape of his own journey. The Alabama Rodeo Stars, though based far from the Southern U.S., are no mere backing band. They are a tight-knit Scandinavian ensemble, masters of their craft who infuse every performance with rich instrumentation, banjos, fiddles, dobros, accordions, played with authenticity, passion, and purpose. Together, they create sonic landscapes that feel at once rustic and otherworldly, bridging continents and eras with every note. Known for their emotionally honest songwriting and the hauntingly beautiful duets that have become a hallmark of their work, the band earned critical acclaim with albums like Gospel For Non-Believers and Isolation Blues & Other Songs of Hope. With each release, they’ve continued to evolve, crafting music that explores the depths of human experience while remaining rooted in the simplicity and sincerity of traditional Americana.
From the moment the first notes play, Stream of Consciousness, Vol. 2 feels like a breath drawn deep and slow, a record not rushed, but lived. Released on April 21, 2025, the album is a beautifully crafted meditation on memory, identity, and the quiet truths that surface when we sit still long enough to hear them. Blending the hushed intimacy of folk with the emotional weight of gospel and the weathered textures of alt-country, this album is a masterclass in storytelling through song. With his raw, gravelly voice, Olav Larsen sings not from a stage, but from a place within, the kind of voice that doesn’t just perform, but confesses. Backed by the exquisite instrumentation and harmonic richness of The Alabama Rodeo Stars, each track unfolds like a letter never sent, or a prayer without pretense.
Stream of Consciousness, Vol. 2 is not just a continuation of a musical journey, it’s a quiet reckoning with the past, a gentle embrace of change, and a reminder that beauty often lives in the softest spaces. Whether through the introspective calm of When the Past Presents the Future, the delicate longing of Dreamer, the soulful harmony of That’s Ok With Me, or the melancholic reflection of You’re Not the Same, the album invites listeners into a deeply human space where vulnerability is strength and silence speaks volumes. In a world that moves too fast, Stream of Consciousness, Vol. 2 urges us to pause and to listen.
Stream of Consciousness, Vol. 2 Album Track List:
When the Past Presents the Future:
When the Past Presents the Future opens Stream of Consciousness, Vol. 2 with a quiet invocation: Hello, don’t cry. This gentle greeting sets the tone for a track that navigates the delicate interplay between memory and aspiration. The song unfolds with a restrained arrangement, subtle acoustic strums, brushed percussion, and ambient textures, that allows Olav Larsen’s vocals to take center stage. His voice, imbued with sincerity and emotional depth, conveys a sense of introspection and vulnerability. The instrumentation complements this mood, creating a cohesive soundscape that is both melancholic and hopeful.
The production quality is notably high, with each element meticulously balanced to enhance the song’s emotional resonance. The interplay between vocals and instrumentation crafts an atmosphere that is immersive and contemplative. Listeners are drawn into a reflective space, where the past’s shadows inform the light of the future. The track’s arrangement and performance evoke a sense of timelessness, making it a poignant introduction to the album’s thematic journey.
Overall, When the Past Presents the Future serves as a compelling entry point into Olav Larsen & The Alabama Rodeo Stars’ exploration of life’s complexities. The song’s blend of heartfelt vocals, nuanced instrumentation, and thoughtful production creates an evocative listening experience that resonates deeply, setting the stage for the album’s subsequent narratives.
Dreamer:
Dreamer, from Stream of Consciousness, Vol. 2 by Olav Larsen & The Alabama Rodeo Stars, is a masterstroke of musical storytelling that slowly blossoms into something deeply affecting. From the very first strum of its guitar, the track exudes warmth and vulnerability, inviting listeners into a soundscape shaped by soul-stained Americana, atmospheric folk, and alt-country sensibilities. The sonic backdrop is organic, nothing feels forced. It unfolds like a dusty sunrise, soft and golden, with acoustic guitars laying a gentle foundation as sparse percussive textures flutter in the background. The instrumentation never overshadows the vocals; instead, it creates a breathing canvas, allowing the vocal interplay to bloom with grace and emotional resonance.
At the heart of Dreamer lies a vocal chemistry that is nothing short of sublime. Olav Larsen’s voice is tender, weathered, and steeped in experience, each note feels like a confession, delivered with aching honesty. But what truly elevates the song is the way the backing vocals, delicate yet radiant, wrap around his lead like sunlight warming old wood. The backup singers don’t just follow; they anticipate and echo, providing rich harmonic layers that swell at just the right moments. Their presence feels sacred, as if they are not merely harmonizing, but understanding. This vocal synergy evokes a sense of hope and longing simultaneously, pulling listeners into a space that is both vast and intimate. It’s the kind of harmony that doesn’t just accompany; it completes.
The emotional impact of the song intensifies as it progresses. There’s a moment midway through when all the elements, Larsen’s lead, the backing harmonies, the softly churning instrumentation, rise together like a quiet crescendo. It’s a breathtaking build, not loud but powerful in its emotional force. The production is crisp, refined, and spacious, allowing each element to breathe and resonate. As the final notes fade, you’re left not with silence, but with the lingering echo of something deeply felt, like the memory of a dream you didn’t want to wake from. Dreamer is not just a song; it’s a moment of emotional clarity and connection, carried on the wings of extraordinary vocal harmony.
That’s Ok With Me:
That’s Ok With Me, from Stream of Consciousness, Vol. 2 by Olav Larsen & The Alabama Rodeo Stars, is a track that quietly steals into the listener’s heart from the very first note. The song opens with tender, melodic piano fills that immediately create a sense of intimacy and reflection. These piano lines are not flashy, they’re emotive, subtle, and beautifully deliberate, setting a poignant tone that continues to ripple throughout the entire song. As the instrumentation builds with layers of acoustic guitar and ambient textures, there’s a warm cohesiveness that pulls you in. When Olav’s vocals arrive, they do so with weathered authenticity, gravelly yet vulnerable, marked by a kind of gentle gravitas that feels lived-in and real. His voice isn’t just singing; it’s confessing, storytelling, and emoting all at once.
What truly elevates the emotional depth of That’s Ok With Me is the entrance of the female vocals in duet with Olav. Rather than simply providing backing harmonies, her voice becomes an equal force, a silken contrast to Olav’s rugged tone. The interplay between the two is beautifully balanced, as if one voice is the question and the other is the answer. Their harmonies don’t just blend, they converse, creating a richly layered narrative of acceptance and quiet understanding. The production respects this dynamic, giving each voice room to breathe while ensuring their union remains seamless. The instrumentation remains tender in the background, never overpowering, allowing the vocal pairing to shine as the emotional centerpiece. Altogether, the song radiates a soft resilience, crafting an atmosphere of peace, closure, and soulful grace. It’s a quiet masterpiece, unhurried, deeply human, and utterly resonant.
You’re Not The Same:
You’re Not The Same from Stream of Consciousness, Vol. 2 by Olav Larsen & The Alabama Rodeo Stars is a gentle, melancholic reflection wrapped in acoustic soul. The track opens with sparse, tender acoustic guitar strokes, raw and unadorned, laying down a solemn, contemplative mood that immediately commands quiet attention. There’s a certain emotional immediacy from the first few seconds, the kind that makes you instinctively pause everything else. As Olav Larsen’s vocals slide in, they do so with a warm, gravelly texture, tinged with both resignation and wistful tenderness. His voice doesn’t merely carry the lyrics, it carries weight, vulnerability, and a deep-seated honesty that feels utterly human. The instrumentation gradually broadens with restrained piano touches and ambient background tones that add emotional color without overwhelming the simplicity at the core. Every element seems intentionally placed to maintain an atmosphere of sincerity and reflection.
As the song progresses, it becomes even more emotionally immersive thanks to the lush harmonic layering from backing vocalists. Their voices don’t just support Olav’s, they converse with him, offering soft echoes and ghostly textures that elevate the narrative of growing emotional distance. The harmonies are tight and subdued, shimmering like a memory in the background, creating a layered emotional resonance that deepens with each line. The blend between Olav’s lead and the backing vocals is seamless and evocative, evoking the kind of aching duality found in both connection and disconnection. The production quality is meticulous yet restrained, it captures every breath, every delicate strum and harmony, without polishing away the song’s soul. The entire performance feels both intimate and expansive, like an old letter read aloud under dim light. You’re Not the Same leaves you with a quiet ache, a reminder of how people drift, how voices change, and how music can gently hold those feelings for us. It’s understated beauty at its most emotionally articulate.
Stream of Consciousness, Vol. 2 is a rare and resonant offering in today’s musical landscape, an album that doesn’t seek to dazzle with spectacle, but instead quietly captivates with sincerity, emotional depth, and masterful craftsmanship. Olav Larsen & The Alabama Rodeo Stars have delivered a body of work that feels timeless yet rooted in the present, weaving stories that speak to the universal human condition through a distinctly Scandinavian lens on Americana. It’s an album best experienced in full, uninterrupted, allowing each song to unfold like a chapter in an intimate memoir. For listeners craving music that honors tradition while embracing vulnerability, and for those who seek refuge in authenticity and poetic reflection, Stream of Consciousness, Vol. 2 is not only highly recommended, it’s essential listening.
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