Marthe Halvorsen: The Willow Tree
- Folk Canada
- May 23
- 2 min read
“The Willow Tree” is the latest single from Montreal-based Norwegian artist Marthe Halvorsen, taken from her upcoming sophomore album, Feed the Fire, Breathe the Night, set for release on August 29.
A soothing and evocative indie folk piece, The Willow Tree showcases Halvorsen’s heartfelt vocals and introspective lyrics. The track is a tribute to nature and its power to ground us, offering a sense of connection to something greater than ourselves—a place of comfort and calm amid chaos.
Written during the pandemic while Halvorsen was stranded in Montreal, the song emerged from a deep longing for the nature and the landscapes of northern Norway.
«I began reflecting on what we seek in times of crisis,” Halvorsen shares. “For me, it became clear that nature plays a vital role in my life. Being in nature gives me a sense of meaning and belonging. I find it fascinating to consider how we humans have perceived and interacted with nature throughout history. To me it is evident that nature is not something passive, but something we are a part of and deeply intertwined with.»
«Being stuck in Montreal without the chance to travel out to more remote nature, I started to explore the many different parks of Montreal. And even if these were only small pockets of green within an urban context, I still found great comfort in coming there. And in one of these parks I came upon a beautiful Willow tree and found myself coming back over and over again to this one specific tree. Feeling drawn to just sit under its branches and feeling connected to something bigger. And one day a poem started unraveling, and it slowly turned into the song «The Willow Tree.»
«From underneath the Willow tree
I would learn how to be free
And feel how all is intertwined
The mundane world with the divine»
Recorded between Montreal and Northern Norway, The Willow Tree features Halvorsen's longtime collaborator Ove Pedersen, whose expressive guitar work nods to traditional Norwegian folk music. His playing adds a distinctive Nordic folk flavour to the track, complementing Halvorsen’s signature sound.
Written and produced by Halvorsen herself, The Willow Tree is both a personal reflection and a gentle invitation to reconnect with the natural world.
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