Folk music enthusiasts playing “cow jazz” as if it were the soundtrack to an imaginary western. Himmelskip blends jazz, Nordic folk music, rock, and dub to create cinematic music that evokes vivid mental images — of prairies, transcontinental railways, and local ferries.

The four members of Himmelskip met at the Norwegian Academy of Music, and despite their young age — between 20 and 26 — they are already experienced musicians and instrumentalists. Guitarist Simen Jakobsen Harstad has spent half his life in the music industry as one half of the young black metal duo Golden Core. Elias Wallumrød Orning has played pedal steel for the award-winning Norwegian country group Embla and the Karidotters. The rhythm section, consisting of Torjus Gravir Klykken and Tobias Rønnevig, has performed with Daniela Reyes, Live Hanken, Ramón, Gangar, and others.