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BIOGRAPHY

EARLY YEARS


2015 – 2017

The Norwegian rock band Maldito was formed by Vegard Ring and Bendik Brevik in Liverpool in 2015 while studying at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. After trying a few different bassists and drummers, Jon Olav Alstad and Gard Rognskog joined. At the time, Maldito drew inspiration from artists such as Jack White, Gary Clark Jr, Led Zeppelin, BigBang and their first singles «Waiting For You» and «I'm Yours Tonight» were a mixture of these in uences as well as Maldito's originality. The band stood out from other bands at the school, as they were the only ones playing energetic live rock music.

After playing several shows in the UK, the band toured Germany for the first time, gaining their first German fans. They mainly played in the Bavarian area. At the same time, as the band toured Germany, the band's main songwriters at the time, Vegard Ring and Bendik Brevik, were asked to do a songwriting session with Sir Paul McCartney himself. They could either cancel a few shows to make this happen or continue the tour as planned. Maldito decided to continue the tour, believing that playing shows was more valuable for them as a band and for reaching a new audience.

BACK TO NORWAY


2017 – 2019

After moving back to Norway in the summer of 2017 with a bachelor in popular music, the band was asked to join the Norwegian Blues Competition «Union Blues Cup». They competed that same year, but unfortunately, Maldito only made it to 3rd place. The band decided to join the competition again the following year. Since both Jon Olav and Gard were busy, Adrian Vaksdal and Sondre Vikan Johansen stepped in on drums and bass for the competition.

Maldito won the Union Blues Cup 2018, earning the title «Union Blues Band 2019». Throughout 2019, the band played over 60 shows in Norway, UK, Germany, with the biggest ones being Notodden Blues Festival, Irchenberg Festival (supporting Hans Solner), Eutin Bluesfest, Norwegian Blues Adventure in London, and Øyafestivalen. The band also released their first EP «Stay» that same year, consisting of three songs recorded at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool, where artists such as Coldplay, Black Sabbath, and Justin Bieber have recorded. As the winner of the Blues Cup, Maldito represented Norway in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January 2020. In the US, Maldito played a few shows in Clarksdale before the competition in Memphis. The band played two shows in the challenge, only making it to the quarterfinals.

DEBUT ALBUM
2020 – 2022

In 2020, the band went into Brygga Studio in Trondheim to record their debut album «Heartlands» with Pål Brekkås as producer. The album contains two songs from their Liverpool days, such as «Walk Away» and their first-ever written song «Story». The rest of the album was written by the whole band while on the road in the previous years. This time, the band experimented with other genres while still maintaining a solid blues-rock sound. The album was released in 2021, with hits such as «Dig The Rhythm of Your Heartbeat», «River Blue», and «To The Ground». The songs «Frontline» and «Clocktower» were played on the German radio station «Deutschlandfunk» and became the most played and streamed tracks for the band in Germany. Due to the pandemic, Maldito did several online streaming concerts like everyone else during this period. Finally, when the pandemic restrictions were lifted in 2022, the band hit the road again, playing shows.

«This album, the debut of Maldito, is never boring. It nails you to the seat with a nerve and a quest for originality and something new that is admirable.» Johnny Andreassen, Blues News. 2021. «It's the kind of album you can put on anywhere, anytime, and you'll be able to find at least one person who thinks this is 'the coolest ever.» Kristina Bye, Adresseavisen. 2021

NEW MUSIC
2022 – NOW

In February 2023, the band was invited by Tim Schauen to record an hour-long live show for the German radio station «Deutschlandfunk.» The broadcast reached over 1 million German listeners when it aired in May of the same year, significantly expanding the band's following in Germany. Later in the year, Maldito performed several gigs in Norway, including a split gig show at BYSCENEN and a supporting slot for Grammy-winning duo Larkin Poe at Tapperiet in Trondheim. Their highly anticipated follow-up to the debut album, «Contact Light», is set to be released in May 2024. The band is venturing into new and exploratory territory, drawing inspiration from 70s progressive rock. They are experimenting more with sound, time signatures, and genres while staying true to their roots in blues rock.

«The fourth single "The Clown" from the upcoming album confirms the talent and success in the shift of style from blues to pop music, with a song and recording that could have been from the American West Coast in the mid-1970s. Funky and pop elegant.» Ole-Jacob Hoel, Adresseavisen. 2024. «Miracles, the best song in this week's pile.» Ole-Jacob Adresseavisen. 2024

MALDITO IS

Vocals and guitar: Vegard Ring from Oppdal, Norway.
Guitar: Bendik Brevik from Trondheim, Norway.
Bass: Jon Olav Alstad from Frosta, Norway.
Drums: Gard Rognskog Nødset from Surnadal, Norway.