EINAR SOLBERG – frontman of Norwegian rock mavericks Leprous – released his debut solo album ‘16’ earlier this year. But back at the beginning of 2022, he took on an entirely different solo endeavour. For a special live streamed performance, he reinterpreted the Leprous album ‘The Congregation’ in full, just piano and voice. Now that performance will see an official audio release as ‘The Congregation Acoustic’ on February 16th, 2024.

‘The Congregation Acoustic’ will be released as a Ltd CD Digipak, Limited Gatefold 180g Black 2LP & as Digital Album. The cover artwork was shot by Elena Sihida. Pre-order now here: https://einarsolberg-artist.lnk.to/TheCongregationAcoustic-Live

Listen to Einar perform the track ‘The Flood’ now here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WME8a5HK2Xk

Einar comments of the release: “I’m both super excited but also kind of terrified for me to release this live version of “The Congregation”. It’s raw and unedited and exactly how I did it on my livestream. Usually all musicians these days (myself included) are used to fixIng stuff in post-production, but on this one we’ve done nothing! I think it’s cool sometimes to dare to show a more fragile and less “perfect” side of yourself. “The Congregation” is probably the least suitable album we’ve ever done to make an acoustic version of, but I think it turned out surprisingly OK!”

Einar Solberg is as renowned for the tender honesty of his lyrics as he is for the eccentric majesty of Leprous’ music. But even by his usual standards, ‘16’ is an extremely emotional and dynamic piece of work. Einar describes the record as “the closest I’ve ever come to writing a concept album” and explains that the new songs are about a very specific and transformational period in the musician’s life. This is the sound of a restless spirit in his absolute element.

’16’ finds Einar collaborating with everyone from modern prog contemporaries like Bent Knee’s Ben Levin and Agent Fresco’s Toti Gudnason, to experimental cellist (and regular Leprous live musician) Raphael Weinroth-Browne and Magnus Børmark, best known as a member of Norwegian alt-folk troupe Gåte. He also once again collaborates with Ihsahn and Star Of Ash amongst many others. The record was mixed by mixed by Adam Noble (Placebo, Biffy Clyro, Nothing But Thieves) and mastered by Robin Schmidt (The 1975, Placebo, The Gaslight Anthem, etc.). The cover artwork was designed by Elena Sihida. ‘16’ is out on Ltd CD Digipak, Gatefold 180g 2LP + LP-booklet & Digitally. Order here: https://einarsolberg-artist.lnk.to/sixteen

Einar & his solo live band have announced some festival shows for 2024. You can find the full list below:
19.06.2024 Rock Imperium (Spain) – Cartagena
28.06.2024 Hellfest Open Air (France) – Clisson

Leprous have also recently announced further European live dates for February & March 2024. Find the full list below:
29.02.2024 Bochum (Germany) – Zeche
01.03.2024 Nottingham (UK) – Rock City
02.03.2024 Leeds (UK) – Project House
03.03.2024 Dublin (Ireland) – Academy
05.03.2024 Lyon (France) – La Rayonne
06.03.2024 Pratteln (Switzerland) – Z7 Konzertfabrik
07.03.2024 Vienna (Austria) – Arena
08.03.2024 Leipzig (Germany) – Täubchenthal
09.03.2024 Krakow (Poland) – Kamienna12
10.03.2024 Lublin (Poland) – Radio Lublin
12.03.2024 Helsinki (Finland) – House of Culture
13.03.2024 Jyvaskyla (Finland) – Lutakko
14.03.2024 Oulu (Finland) – Kantakrouvi
16.03.2024 Hamar (Norway) – Festiviteten
For tickets and further info check here: https://leprous.net/tours