Mattias Thedens

Biography

Mattias was raised in a musical family and has participated in festivals for most of his life. He began dancing at the age of four and started playing American and Norwegian folk music when he was nine.

After a while, he took up the Hardingfele (Hardanger fiddle) and began learning tunes from Tovdal and Setesdal. In 2019, Mattias started studying at the Norwegian Academy of Music, with Håkon Høgemo and Andreas Bjørkås as his main instructors. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Hardanger fiddle performance in 2023.

His main focus lies on Hardingfeleslåtter in the tradition of Lars Fykerud and Svein Løndal of Telemark, with Knut and Hauk Buen as his primary inspirations. At Landskappleiken 2023 in Lom, Mattias won the B class for solo Hardingfele and qualified for the A class, where he has since competed among Norway’s most accomplished Hardanger fiddle performers.

In addition to playing the Hardingfele, Mattias is also an active performer of American Old-Time music. Each summer, he takes part in festivals and competitions across the United States. In 2019, he won first place in Old-Time Fiddle and was awarded Best All-Around Performer at the Galax Old Fiddlers Convention in Virginia.

Watch this episode of Trollstemt featuring Mattias that aired on NRK, Norway’s national public broadcaster in 2023.

Mattias Thedens