TORA DAHLE AAGÅRD

Last year was both a busy and a notable one for Tora Dahle Aagård. She played with Paul Gilbert and Jennifer Batten, did a gig at The Royal Albert Hall, and released her first eponymously titled album. One reviewer noted her “playful virtuosity” and stage presence, while another applauded her “incredible talent” and dubbed her “the most courageous guitarist I have ever met”.

Hugely popular on social media, her enthusiasm for both music and the guitar is infectious and yet she was a relative latecomer to the instrument…

“When I was 14 years old, I saw School Ofwith Jack Black,” she enthuses as we settle in the studios shortly before the shadow of lockdown. “There were these kids playing instruments and they were so young, but they were so good at it. This kid called Zack in the movie played guitar, and he played rock ’n’ roll guitar, so fast. I was like, ‘Well, that’s the coolest thing ever and he is the coolest person ever… I want to be that.’”