Rogaland duo’s viral ‘Farse’ song sweeps Norway

The creators of the viral hit Farse, Per Øystein Kvindesland and Bjørn Olav Skjæveland, say the song was written in one evening and recorded the next day, reports Dagbladet.

The track, featuring lyrics like “Sushi and couscous e mågamad. Ein dreng kan ikkje leva på salat. Nå ska eg ha meg ei farsa. Besta du kan få med boksa på”, became an overnight sensation after appearing in an NRK Norge Rundt segment on Jæren’s traditional meat dish, farse. The video has amassed over 65,000 streams on Spotify, with clips circulating widely on TikTok.

Skjæveland and Kvindesland, longtime colleagues from NRK Rogaland, collaborated with local vocalist Hilde Selvikvåg on the song. They note the track’s unexpected reach, with strangers now quoting its lyrics in public. Skjæveland received a custom sushi board for his birthday, engraved with “mågamad” on the reverse.

The duo attribute farse’s regional popularity to a “farse triangle” between Bryne, Nærbø, and Varhaug, where the dish is a staple. Skjæveland describes his usual order as a double farse in bread—so large it requires taking half home.

Despite their success, they rule out a sequel. “AI killed the farse song,” Skjæveland said. The pair also joked about their working relationship, with Kvindesland remarking, “I know him as well as my own wife.”