Atle Oen released his third album on October 18, 2024. The music is Americana, a music genre that mixes country, folk, bluegrass and blues. This time, the artist and songwriter has brought in Hege KL Naustdal as co-producer and vocalist. Hege KL Naustdal's vocals give the songs a new dimension, both musically and in the stories that are told. 

- Songwriting is a language I didn't know I had, says Oen. With Hege on board, the team is strengthened, and especially the songs that are about relationships gain more weight with Hege's vocals. In addition, Hege is excellent at producing vocals, and together with technician and guitarist Dan Aasebø, the three of them have put together a solid Americana album, where Oen's songs can shine.  

This time, the songwriter has dared to be more personal, with songs that look back on his youth, duets that depict difficult relationships, and the usual slant on eccentric characters. It's a varied collection of songs, but still more uptempo and light-hearted than previous albums. 

- Songwriting is talking to yourself, about yourself, hopefully in a way that the listener recognizes something from their own life, he says. - For me, that's the greatest thing about making music. That you discover that what is real to yourself can be real to others.

The album title "Safe at Sea" is about removing the doubt that comes with being creative. It's about daring to believe in what you do. Dare to throw yourself into the deep end. 

- The most important thing I've learned is not to let it be about what others think. There's an enormous freedom in making something for yourself. If others like it, that's of course a bonus, but that can never be the only yardstick. This time I've produced it myself, with good help from Hege, and I think that makes me feel like I can take responsibility for the result. I'm simply proud of what we've achieved!

"Safe at Sea" is precisely about that realization. And the sea is a fitting metaphor when you're raised in Øygarden. - Despite that, I'm not particularly confident in water, he admits. I once lay at the bottom of a pool for a little too long, something that still haunts me. Now I'm in deep water again, but it's safe to work creatively with Hege and Dan. We're a good team, confident in each other and dare to disagree. The songwriter generally gets the last word anyway, for better or worse. 

 Musically, Oen has drawn on artists who inspired him in his younger years. Mark Knopfler, Bob Dylan and the simple but powerful melodies of country artists such as Hank Williams, Willie Nelson and John Prine. At the same time, he has been inspired by today's artists, such as Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson and Gabe Lee. 

In addition to Hege KL Naustdal and Dan Aasebø, Stig Hegrenes plays drums, Raimund Hoclas plays bass, Øystein Undem plays keyboards and Steinar Karlsen plays lap-steel and guitars.