Tønes
Deadpan Norwegian folk that finds the profound in the mundane. Warm acoustic storytelling delivered with a dry, regional wit that feels like a long kitchen table chat.
Deadpan Norwegian folk that finds the profound in the mundane. Warm acoustic storytelling delivered with a dry, regional wit that feels like a long kitchen table chat.
Listening to Tønes feels like sitting in a quiet kitchen on the Norwegian west coast while a neighbor tells you a story that is simultaneously hilarious and deeply moving. The music is fundamentally grounded in the acoustic tradition, centered on his steady guitar work and a voice that carries the distinct, rhythmic weight of the Sokndal dialect. It is warm, unhurried, and remarkably intimate, eschewing modern production polish for a sound that feels lived-in and honest.
What truly sets him apart is his lyrical focus on the 'trivial.' While other songwriters reach for grand metaphors, Tønes writes about the rules of Yatzy, the specific frustrations of a local farmer, or the quiet dignity of everyday objects. There is a total lack of irony in his humor; he isn't mocking his subjects but rather observing them with a clarity that reveals the universal human condition hidden within small-town life. This deadpan delivery creates a unique tension where you might find yourself laughing and feeling a lump in your throat at the same time.
For those new to his catalog, starting with 'Sån av Salve' or 'Vindbrest' offers the best entry point into his world. These albums showcase his ability to blend traditional folk arrangements with subtle, playful instrumentation like accordion and pedal steel. Even if you don't speak the dialect, the emotional cadence of his delivery and the gentle, organic textures of the music provide a comforting, contemplative space for any listener.
Frank Tønnesen (born 28 April 1972), better known by his stage name Tønes, is a Norwegian singer-songwriter and guitarist from Sokndal, Norway. He released his debut album, Rett te håves, in 1996 and has since released a number of albums and EPs. He uses the Sokndal dialect in many of his songs and tells intriguing stories. In 2018 he released his first novel under the name Vi kan ikke ta med oss alt dette hjem. Tønes performs both solo and with a backing band that differs in configuration, sometimes consisting of just a bass and/or accordion. Among his bandmates are Gaute Tengesdal (bass and backing vocals), Erlend Aasland (guitar, steel guitar, banjo, mandolin, piano, auto harp and backing vocals), Kjell Gudmestad (steel-guitar and electric guitar), and Øystein Holmen (keyboards, backing vocals). Arne Andersen joined, playing percussion in 2012, and later Anne Lise Frøkedal also joined playing electric guitar and keyboards and also contributing with backing vocals. In the early years Johan Egdetveit (accordion) performed in some shows.
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