The band was founded in August -94 originally
as a house band and support act in a local pub in Haugesund. The name Vesterled hales from
the ancient Vikings. When they were sailing west on their charter tours to Lindisfarne,
Iona, Cork or wherever they went, they were sailing in Vesterled or westwards. The band
repertoire has been mainly Irish/Scottish, due to the member’s enthusiasm for this
kind of music and lack of live Celtic music in our part of the world. Recently the band
has begun playing Norwegian traditional music.
Harald Lothe Eriksen joined the group in March -95 (song &
guitar) no one wanted to sing, so they needed a singer. He has never played in a group
before, but has been hammering away on the guitar since the age of 14. He lost his heart
to Irish folk music in Belfast in -80. It’s specially the Irish ballad that touches
me he says.
Arvid Bjerkenes is proud to be the only member of the band to have
visited the outer Hebrides. By day he is a teacher in high school, music being a main
concern.
Ivar Rudi is a stabilised artist in Norway, been represented at many
prestigious exhibitions doing a variety of artforms. Hooked on Irish music playing
whistles, flutes, harmonica and spoons, he is the most experienced musician in the band.
For a long time member of Norway’s hardest touring bands Vestlandsfanden.
Kari Woxmyr Bersaas founder member, playing with the local symphony
orchestra, as well as for the leikarring (traditional, Norwegian dance troop) is just a
few of the things she is involved in besides Vesterled.
We welcome Vesterled to Vikedal and the roots festival.
