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Jameson is joined by Maria Franz and Ingrid Aune Falch to talk about Songleikr's history with Midgardsblot and how important storytelling is as a part of Songleikr's music (and folk music in general). After taking us through their history with "medieval music", we get into a rather difficult and provocative discussion about what Nordic folk even is, with Maria and Ingrid both offering extensive commentary on the growing misuse of the term over the years. This particular conversation has been central to the Nordic Sound, and so I anticipate a lot of productive discussion to grow out of what was started here - especially as the vocalist of Heilung, a band so often labeled as Nordic Folk, Maria's perspective is a much needed shake-up to the conversation.

We wrap up the discussion with the question of how Nordic music has exploded over the years and the kind of changes that has brought to the scene, with yet another complex conversation about heritage and roots as they pertain to the reception of Nordic music.

Thank you both for the lively and productive discussion... we've all had quite a bit to think about since recording this!

0:00 Least chaotic nordic sound intro
3:09 Midgardsblot
13:54 Storytelling through music
22:44 Early experiences with "medieval" music
42:30 The Folk Music Question
1:00:07 Heritage and the Nordic music boom
1:14:14 What's next for Songleikr?

The Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons:
George
Bets
Carrie
Gen
Leigh
Mike
Cindy
Clayton
Drake
Eric
Jamie
Julia
Mary
Michael
Sean
Simon

You too can support the project at patreon.com/nordicsound

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In Nordic Sound #40, Jameson is joined by Kjell Braaten to talk about Kjell’s approach to skaldic performance and his recent collaboration on the beautiful Lithuanian sutartines project with Stuba and Skaidra Jančaité as part of an ongoing mission to preserve and revitalize Lithuanian communal singing tradition.

Key topics in this conversation include Kjell telling why skaldic tradition inspires him, how music is a form of active and communal remembering of the past, if viking music can ever be authentic, and a deeper discussion about the value of celebrating the living traditions around us that are at risk of being lost.

Jameson Foster is an ethnomusicologist at the University of Colorado Boulder specializing in Nordic music traditions with a focus on pagan revivalism.

0:00 Introduction
1:20 Skaldic music
12:53 Do limitation help creativity?
23:32 Making mistakes as a solo performer
28:59 Sources for skaldic performance
38:00 Music as memory
49:00 Sutartines and Stuba
58:26 What are Sutartines?
1:06:00 Serendipitous Meeting
1:11:14 Living Lithuanian traditions
1:22:00 Why vikings?

Previous interview with Kjell:
Nordic Sound #8 - https://youtu.be/Ch6-4uCUT00


The Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons:
Alex
George
Bets
Carrie
Gen
Leigh
Mike
Cindy
Clayton
Drake
Eric
Jamie
Julia
Mary
Michael
Sean
Simon
Dan

You too can support the project at patreon.com/nordicsound

Support the show

Send us a text

In this co-sponsored event between ByNorse and the University of Colorado Boulder's Ethnomusicology and Nordic Studies departments, Einar joins Jameson in front of a live audience to talk about the animist cosmology behind Wardruna's music, what animism means to Einar, how Wardruna's music has (or hasn't) changed over time, and an inevitable deep discussion about questions of authenticity and reconstructionism often nagging the reception of Wardruna's music. The interview concludes with a thought-provoking conversation regarding the bear, the namesake of Wardruna's upcoming record "Birna", and how Wardruna's music continues its mission to ask questions and give voice to nature and the ecological problems we face today.

Being live, and with the Nordic Sound being very DIY, there are some inevitable imperfections in the audio quality. Thank you for listening!

0:00 Intro
2:50 Red Rocks
6:18 Being a Cultural Ambassador
10:20 How has Wardruna changed over time?
15:13 Any lasting influence from Einar's heavy metal background?
17:04 The Animism of Wardruna
22:49 Animism in Nordic cultural heritage
25:40 Reconstructionism and Authenticity
38:31 Birna
47:44 Q+A

The Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons:
Alex
George
Bets
Carrie
Gen
Leigh
Mike
Cindy
Clayton
Drake
Eric
Jamie
Julia
Mary
Michael
Sean
Simon
Dan

You too can support the project at patreon.com/nordicsound

Support the show