The Nordic Sound Channel with Jameson Foster
The Nordic Sound Channel with Jameson Foster
From Longship to Moshpit, the Nordic Sound Channel is a platform for the education and promotion of Nordic music history and culture. Run by ethnomusicologist Jameson Foster (University of Colorado Boulder, Johns Hopkins Peabody Conservatory).
![Bülows Kvartett - "Vad än som i världen händer" [Album Review] [Folk/Jazz]](/img/d.gif)
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Thank you for bringing up my album! 🎉😄
It really is something to be proud of ✌🏻
I think you should do 5 albums from Sweden then Hardanger.
Great video and great recommendations.
Yes! Absolutely continue this series. I vote Hardanger.
Great review! I have easily listened to ENN around 30 times by now, it's on repeat since release 😂. Eivør's singing is just heavenly and her songwriting leaves me breathless. I think by now the title track Enn is my favorite apart from Upp ur øskuni which is such a banger!! Lívsandin is the most melancholic and intimate song, it goes straight to my heart. All in all, ENN takes you to a whole other world with its magical music. 🌌 How does Eivør do this, I have no clue.. 🙂
Link to album on Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/1DJW0GQ2YncNpLlxnkXXiv?si=ULpZUJAcTnCDvd-Q_Q0AQw
The title of this album looks like a pun to me. The formally correct spelling of this word is "modersmål" (with a "d"), a combination of "moder" (with a genetive "s" added) and "mål". The meaning of this compound word in English is "mother tongue", as you correctly point out. But "mål" in Danish can also mean "goal" (i.e. "objective"), giving the alternative meaning "Mother's goal" as the title of this album. (Incidentally, "moder" in modern spelling is just "mor", but historically there was an in-between phase around the turning of the 19th Century where it could be spelled "moer", which intriguingly is Emilie Lorentzen's chosen form of spelling though officially the old spelling and pronunciation of the compound word "Modersmål" has been kept the same as the original to this very day, as an exception to the rule. The Danish pronounciation spelled in English would be something close to "Mo'ther's Mole", adding appropriate amounts of the typical Danish "guttural stop").
Honestly I haven’t been able to listen to the whole new album, but I’m definitely going to put it on the top of my to do list. I like the more free form album review style of this video. Like you said, it feels more like a conversation than a lesson.
I agree 🥰 Very much appreciate that feedback my man!
after signing at seasons of mist i have expected the new album to be more on the heavy side, especially when you look onto her merch. but after she released the first two tracks it was more than obvious that this expectation was wrong. instead we got this cinematic orchestral piece of art and i love every single track of it. it sounds like the essence of all her previous work and still very different. she also did this cinematic story telling on "at the heart of a selkie". i'm very excited to experience the new tracks live on her upcoming tour.
Agree wholeheartedly! I hope she comes back around the states soon so I too can see the new stuff!
@@nordicsoundchannel i'm going to see her three times this year. I have also recorded the show at hellfest 2024 and the wonderful symphonic viking voyage
The Swedish folk tradition is phenomenal. Danish instrumental folk, er ... not so much, unless you like German um-pah.
There are traditional repertoires from the coast and islands of Denmark that are truly beautiful and being brought back piece by piece. But yes, most of mainland Denmark has a lot of German influence for geographical as well as social reasons!
@@nordicsoundchannel I've never come across this repertoire you mention. Can you be more specific? Who might be playing this music today? There used to be Trio Mio, but they had a Swedish member and leaned heavily on Swedish tunes and overall style. There is a beautiful singing tradition in Denmark, but it mainly consists of material written by established composers and poets during the second half of the 1800s and can't really be described as "folk music".
@jimmyolsenschannel6263 it’s in the video we’re talking under - Emilie Lorentzen explores Bornholmian rep in Morsmal and the DSQ uses material from the islands in both Wood Works and Last Leaf :) it’s not nearly as robust as other traditions in Scandinavia, but there are musicians out there keeping it alive. Virelai is another great group though it’s hard for me to parse what’s traditional and what’s neo-traditional - they definitely use some Danish traditionals though that aren’t um-pah 😆 Oh, and shout out to Maja Kjaer’s channel!
@@nordicsoundchannel Thanks! Must admit, I had simply skipped the Danish part of the video expecting nothing from it but disappointment based on experience. I'll get into it now immediately after writing this. Meanwhile, I watched a video with Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen and another with Dreamer's Circus. Must somehow be typically Danish because why would I otherwise immediately start weeping? Incidentally, is it now commonplace and accepted practise to use "Nordic" and "Scandinavian" interchangeably?
@jimmyolsenschannel6263 I am fairly deliberate with how I use it - Scandinavian if referring to specifically Norway, Sweden, or Denmark; Nordic if I’m referring more broadly to Nordic cultural traditions or regional characteristics to include Iceland and Finland (which is why with music I tend to use Nordic). Nordic is also far more flexible of a cultural signifier than Scandinavian which tends to be more geographically bound :)
Going at 56 min and saying YES! There are more than 3 notes ❤ would love to do a collab with Chris 🫶🏻
Great interview ❤
Excellent interview! It was so great to meet and hang out with you and Chris at Midsummer! Sun and Moon Dance has long been a favorite of mine for so many reasons. Many thanks to Chris for his work cleaning up NC as well!
This festival was such an important time for me, and I think I'm only starting to understand the impact its had. Thanks for including me (the Jarnborg viking's skald) in a couple of these clips ;)
You raise some very interesting points! I haven't seen these discussed before. My comments on your points: 1) "Genre names are abstract" That is a valid point and in general, I agree with you. But for this specific topic, it does not convice me. Unlike the other genres you mention, the term "Viking Music" already had an obvious meaning: The music of the Vikings. This is similar to what has happened with the term "mediaval music". Here in Germany and other Central European countries, it has lost its meaning of "Music from the Mediaval Ages". You mention "mediaval markets" yourself in the video. These markets and the connected music scene have very little to do with actual mediaval music or culture. It is Fantasy (before someone comments on this: Yes, I am aware that there are some people that do try to portrait the mediaval times as authentically as possible. But these reenactors are the minority - and this demand for authenticity almost always ends at the music stages). I don't want to say these markets or this music is bad - quite the opposite. I very much like them and listening to this type of music. However, they have become so popular that the average person thinks that this is how the mediaval times were and how mediaval music sounded. Which, I think, is a pity. Because actual historic mediaval music is different. And extremely beautiful. But since the term "mediaval music" was "occupied" by this scene, people don't even realize that what they know is not historical and that there is something else. Most people here actually think all kinds of folk music are mediaval music. Because these markets are the only place were they come in contact with folk music. The same is happening with viking music - although this argument is of course much weaker, because there is so little knowledge about actual viking music compared to mediaval music. But still, I think that is a bummer and a loss. 2) "Musicians usually don't get to define the genre name" True. I also think the threshold has been crossed here long ago. It's in the hands of the listeners now, not of the musicians. But I do think that the musicians in this scene have played a vital role in this happening. Sure, many do say in interviews that their music is not actually historical correct/informed if they are asked for it. But what does saying that even mean if you constantly behave contrary to your statements and "flirt" with the image of being "viking"? For example, by performing with anachronistic instruments, techniques and style at Viking museums? (although the question can also be asked why these museums book these acts - answer is of course obvious: because they draw crowds ;) ) Or agree to be featured in TV shows, videogames etc. that clearly want to give the impression that they are about the vikings? Or by copying the visual language and style of the TV show "Vikings"? Or by outright describing your music as being from the "viking period": "Heilung is sounds from the northern european iron age and viking period" (taken straight from the officialdescription of the album "Ofnir" on their Bandcamp page - similar things can be found in other Heilung presstexts). Seeing all of this, I personally am a bit tired of the argument "the musicians never wanted this term and have not claimed it for themselves". The term "viking music" for this style did not appear out of a vacuum. It arose because of the actions of the bands that formed this style. They - very obviously - do want this term. Now, is this bad? Or does this mean that the musicians are bad people or that the music is bad? No. Absolutely not. Or at least depends on your intentions. Still, it is a bit sad, I think, that the term "viking music" has been overtaken by something else. And to me, that is at least disingenuous. 3) "Finding another name" I personally don't agree that genre names have to be exciting, because most genre names are boring. But as I already said, I do think that it's too late to change the term. From that perspective, it makes sense to just keep using "Viking music". Because people know what you mean. Just like with the term "Mediaval music" here in Germany. To be honest, I'm not sure how negative all of this really is - and discussing the potential effects of this is a whole other topic. But I do think it is a bit sad that it changes the perception of history for the general public. But this has happened before and will happen again and again. It's also happening with the term "Pirate Music". I thought the discussion of Matthias Nordvigs perspective at the end was very interesting. I have not encountered this argument before, but it makes a lot of sense to me. Hope you'll dig deeper into this at some point, I would love to hear more of your thoughts on it!
I'm pinning your comment because not only did you bring a lot of interesting and valuable thoughts to the table, but in doing so you also covered some stuff I wish I had given more time to in this video but didn't to avoid getting too deep into the weeds. Thank you for taking the time to write this all out - it's actually quite the complement to illicit such a response from someone :) I want to respond more directly to your medieval music comment: I also wish more folks would give real medieval music a listen. I have some Ensemble Obsidienne and related groups on replay during the winter months. Medieval music is my favorite era to cover when I teach music appreciation here at CU <3
@@nordicsoundchannel I really liked your video and felt like you're a person that's actually interested in the thoughts of his viewers, so I felt inclined to take the time to write it down. I hope it didn't come over as hostile, because that wasn't my intention. Just wanted to share my thoughts on your points - which honestly were new to me in this topic and are an interesting perspective! I don't know Ensemble Obsidienne, but will give them a listen, thanks!
Didn’t feel an ounce of hostility friend - and you’re hunch was correct, I love having conversation ✌🏻
Hi! I held the closing ritual with help from Headstone Brigade and some dear friends. I'm so glad the ritual moved you like this. I've been attending, performing at, and teaching at this festival for 10 years, and this was my way of saying thank you for what I've received. Thank you for the kind words! Blessed Be Heathens!
Thanks for posting and for sharing the videos. I appreciate the content. Shout out also to these bands: Chrome Ghost, Forn, and Cowardice. Meagan Angus performed the closing ritual.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the talk/workshop! I’d love to chat more with you about folk music and paganism. 🔥
Oink oink
🥰
Very well said, Jameson. A lot of what you said reflects my feelings as well. It was such a great place of healing and music. It didn’t feel real until I left, can’t wait for 2025. I won’t be leaving Sunday for that one. Fauna ripped it up. They gained a new fan that night!
Well done Jameson! I am so proud of you and want to encourage you to keep moving forward. Remember, change comes from within, meaning comes from within. It was great to share time with you this year and look forward to 2025. Cascadian Midsummer has well-earned its place in my heart.
Was definitely a highlight hangin’ with you all 🥰
i am fiddler since before youi tube existed and just got a hardanger fiddler...magicallly instrument
Everyone… I turn 40 this year and I’m making the trip as a gift for myself 😁
Thank you, thats very interesting. And maybe there isn't a specific nordic sound, but a Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, etc.sound. Denmark is small and flat and it is easy to get around, and we were fast to get accustomed to the accordeon and the "major" music. Except for some small comunities (mostly on islands) it was all over. In the country. I think it was more difficult to convince the swedes and norwigians, who were hiding (:-)) in the valleyes - and very proud of their culture. Many of them kept their "minor" music. There is a swedish story about a whole churchassembly singing their own folky choral against the massive organsound. Well I'm not an expert - just have heard some stories.
I very much agree that more remote and isolated regions have a “weirder” music tradition for the reason you gave! Thanks for sharing your perspective :)
Congratulation on the move! And thank you for your channel. I've discovered music through your videos that I was not aware of.
That’s what it’s all about 💙
Loved this interview man! Johnathan was such an enjoyable interview to listen to. Such a relatable person. Whenever I sit down with my guitar, I prefer pickin around on my own stuff too. Not so much learning other musicians stuff all the time.
I really like dark folk. Would be great if you could interview, A Tergo Lupi or Heldom.
Thanks for the request my friend - noted!
One of the best in the “genre”!
Gealdyr the legend!
Or listen on podcast here! nordicsoundchannel.buzzsprout.com/665461/15158201-32-jonathan-barendsma-gealdyr
Is this man the one in the live Krigsgaldr video from the Lifa show? If so, he’s my spirit animal! 🤣 Every time I watch that performance I’m mesmerized by his drums. I groove with him big time! Thanks for the interview! ❤
I want his books but...heck, they're expensive!
It’s a huge problem with academic presses - they way overprice their books because they have a guaranteed consumer base in universities. Silver lining - books like this will go to paperback if enough folks buy them which brings down the price dramatically. BUT in the meantime, if you have a library nearby, they will almost assuredly be able to get a copy :)
Love that banjo intro! Just found your channel, very cool stuff
Thanks friend! Check out @banjodruid for more ;)
New album is beautiful! I actually cried during Sála especially and Sátta is a beautiful final track. Kati is making the world better
This video has 50 views but popped up on my recommended, I've never heard of this music before, and am looking forward to listening!
Good review. 😸 When it came out this record i was expecting something good but definitely was an introsive and great experience from front to back. I was amazed when I watched all the people that collaborate in the record and once i started listening to it I get the variety of sounds and textures in each track they appear. What a fantastic project, i can't imagine all the work and effort they put in it, I'm so glad what all of them made with obvious special mention to Kati.
and hello you guys LOL
I was waiting for you to get there 🥰
Ross mentions Samael- Ceremony of Opposites. One of my all time favorite albums.
He makes some deep cuts with those albums!
Great review. I know Kati from way back. In the early beginnings of the pagan/dark/neo folk in the Netherlands where theatrical pagan folk band Omnia started to lift off during viking/celtic/fantasy events such als Elf Fantasy Fair and Castlefest. And later Faun, Seed, Cesair, Sowulo, Emian, Heilung, etc, etc. It is amazing to see evolution of the music. And also to see Kati evolve as an amazing artist. Love the channel though I found it just recently. Keep on going.
So cool to hear your experience as someone was "in the trenches" so to speak 😆 and thanks for the kind words!
@@nordicsoundchannel Thanks. I have been to those events from the earliest edition of Elf Fantasy Fair (now Elfia) in a very cold and wet historical park called Archeon. And som many great bands have come to Castlefest. Yes, bands have evolved. For instance Omnia. I really like their earlier CD's. But once they got more fundamental in their messages and songs I coulndn't follow. But cannot deny they influenced a lot of other bands. And yes, the music has left the more so called celtic influences and now has moved on in a maybe darker, nordic, slavic sphere. Sorry, could talk hours about this topic.
I remember the gothic show a billion years ago.. how did they sound at red rocks
Unfortunately the sound guy really dropped the ball on the guitar levels and also forgot to turn on the cymbal mic for the first few songs. It's a shame because Cannibal Corpse sounded incredible right before them. Despite sound issues though it was a lot of fun and really cool to see a band like that play at RR!
Very nice interview. Visy has always seemed like a really nice and collected guy.
Thanks, man. You nailed it on the title track and the thoughts behind that song and the album name. - Heri
Thanks for the awesome album man! And glad I could represent the concept somewhat accurately. Hope you're all getting some much needed rest after what seemed to be a killer tour through the states!
Interesting! Thank you!
Glad you liked it!
I’ve never felt anything like what I feel when I listen to this stuff .full vision and trance states tears but I’m not crying strange powerful stuff
same dude. I saw them totally sober and was sat up in the circle. By the end of the performance I felt like I was high...
That interruption in the start was definitely necessary! Finnish folk is like... Uralic Bluegrass :D Great video!
I’m using “Uralic bluegrass” from now on 😆
I always thought of this music as nordic tribal folk music but I guess many musical artists in the genre are not Nordic or playing nordic style so...
There are some notable issues with "tribal folk" because a) there's no tribal social dynamic within or between the groups making this music and b) the contemporary use of "tribal" gets wrapped up in weird colonial and primitivist ideologies that we don't really benefit from bringing into the scene in any way. Then again, you can call it whatever you want depending on your point of view, that's just why I personally think tribal folk would be thorny and clumsy.
Damn missed it they fuking rock. Seen them underground Atlanta Georgia.
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🔥🎻🤘