Album Review: Maija Kauhanen and Johannes Geworkian Hellman, "Migrating"

Send us a textPlease join me in welcoming the inimitable Mia Guldhammer to Nordic Sound #54. Performing with acts such as Virelai, Mallebrok, and now Guldganger, Mia has long made a name for herself as a passionate keeper and performer of the Scandinavian ballad tradition at Medieval markets and reenactments, as well as a celebrated vocalist in the Danish folk music scene. Mia takes us through her experience in both, diving deep into the enchanting world of medieval balladry, how we keep them alive (and meaningful) today, and how we can bridge the worlds of traditional folk music and medieval reenactment. Mia, thank you so much for joining the Nordic Sound, it was an absolute pleasure to nerd out with someone as passionate and knowledgeable as yourself.0:00 Overture1:46 Introduction4:06 Mia’s Musical Upbringing12:29 Medieval Ballads25:24 Danish Folk Music51:40 Medieval Markets and ReenactmentsSupport the showThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons over on Patreon.com/nordicsoundThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons:GeorgeBetsCarrieGenLeighMikeCindyClaytonDrakeEricJamieJuliaMaryMichaelMichaelSeanSimonTony

Send us a textMost known through her bands Diket and Ævestaden, Levina Storåkern joins Nordic Sound #53 to talk about her recently released solo endeavor “Månadsvill”. Captivated on the first listen, Jameson sits down with this rising star to talk about her songwriting process and the inspirations that went into the record, as well as learning more about her journey as a folk musician. Along the way, we also get into a pretty interesting discussion about how we understand others through their music, and the importance of understanding what kind of musician you are so you can thrive. You can’t teach a butterfly to bark, after all.Come join us in Nordic Sound 53 to hear more!Album link: https://levinastorakern.bandcamp.com/album/m-nadsvill0:00 Overture1:25 Introduction9:00 Levina’s story21:03 Is folk music cool again?35:39 Understanding others through their music42:05 The Kantele50:42 Musicians, artists, and virtuosos1:00:14 MånadsvillSupport the showThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons over on Patreon.com/nordicsoundThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons:GeorgeBetsCarrieGenLeighMikeCindyClaytonDrakeEricJamieJuliaMaryMichaelMichaelSeanSimonTony

Send us a textPainting vivid impressionistic landscapes through their ancient instruments, Nordic folk titans Maija Kauhanen and Johannes Geworkian Hellman join forces on their debut album Migrating. Each of these musicians are heavy hitters, or even icons, if I could be so bold  on their respective instruments, Maija on kantele and Johannes on hurdy-gurdy, so I have been fairly curious in the lead up to this record to see how these musicians were going to pull off blending these instruments which, despite being rather ancient, have seldom been put together, and certainly not at this caliber.Support the showThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons over on Patreon.com/nordicsoundThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons:GeorgeBetsCarrieGenLeighMikeCindyClaytonDrakeEricJamieJuliaMaryMichaelMichaelSeanSimonTony

Send us a textFaber Horbach of Sowulo joins the Nordic Sound for episode 52 to talk about Sowulo’s origins, the recent tour, and walk us through the band’s development from Alvenrad to Wurdiz. We also get into a pretty good discussion about artistic integrity when bridging music, mythology, and history. Thanks for hanging out, Faber!0:00 Intro1:08 Europoean Tour, Echoes and Mervailles, Opening for Heilung12:52 Early Sowulo26:30 Alvenrad29:34 Sol35:08 Artistic Integrity47:39 Mann55:56 Grima1:03:20 Wurdiz1:14:16 What’s Next?Support the showThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons over on Patreon.com/nordicsoundThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons:GeorgeBetsCarrieGenLeighMikeCindyClaytonDrakeEricJamieJuliaMaryMichaelMichaelSeanSimonTony

Send us a textRooted in ancient Finnish lore, Noiduin emerges with their first full-length album Lovi, an homage to an otherworldly state or space, a rift between worlds, and a place of crossing where the veil between the living and the dead thins. With a sound palette dominated by tagelharpa, percussion, kantele, and raw ethereal voices, Lovi brings songs both new and revisited to their already impressive repertoire.Support the showThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons over on Patreon.com/nordicsoundThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons:GeorgeBetsCarrieGenLeighMikeCindyClaytonDrakeEricJamieJuliaMaryMichaelMichaelSeanSimonTony

Send us a textAnders Norudde is one of the minds behind the legendary Hedningarna - a band whose influence is still felt throughout the world of Nordic folk music today. With their reputation for bringing a more raw, primal, and percussive energy to traditional folk music, Hedningarna was one of a handful of bands out of Sweden in the 90s who pushed the boundaries of what folk music can be.With Hedningarna's lasting influence on Nordic music today, cited as influences on the likes of Einar Selvik, Maria Franz, and others, we are truly grateful that Anders agreed to come onto the podcast to talk about the band's history, as well as showing us his own menagerie of instruments as a luthier. There's no overstating how much of a milestone this is for the podcast, as no story of the Nordic Sound would be complete without Hedningarna. 0:00 Intro5:06 Anders’ Early Music12:58 The Story of Hedningarna38:12 Hedningarna’s Influence51:55 Instrument MakingSupport the showThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons over on Patreon.com/nordicsoundThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons:GeorgeBetsCarrieGenLeighMikeCindyClaytonDrakeEricJamieJuliaMaryMichaelMichaelSeanSimonTony

Send us a textAs you all know, MÍO's debut record Ingen Tid å Miste earned the top spot on my 2023 Nordic Sound Top 10 list. All these years later, I still stand by what I’ve said before: not only does MÍO weave a musical experience like no other, but their electrifying live performances put them in a league of their own. But Ingen Tid å Miste had the benefit of being without precedent. The sophomore album, on the other hand, is the arena in which a band like MÍO needs to buckle in and put in the work needed to follow through under the weight of a whole new set of expectations.So, with Hva Nå, will MÍO conjure up a second record that stands on its own legs, or would they always be striving for, and not quite reaching, the heights of their inaugural album? Let's talk about it.Support the showThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons over on Patreon.com/nordicsoundThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons:GeorgeBetsCarrieGenLeighMikeCindyClaytonDrakeEricJamieJuliaMaryMichaelMichaelSeanSimonTony

Send us a textIngrid returns to the Nordic Sound for the 50th episode to talk about her recent performance project "Echoes" with Maria Franz and her solo project "Piina" - a multi-movement work seeking to explore the theme of pain through music. With no responsible adult in the room to keep us on track, we meander quite a bit through conversations about the effects of social media on live performance, the way pain is (or isn't) processed in our daily lives, and the importance of recycling. The interview concludes with Ingrid teasing upcoming new music from Songleikr for a much anticipated follow up to their first album Godtfolk. So stick around to the end ;)Support the showThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons over on Patreon.com/nordicsoundThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons:GeorgeBetsCarrieGenLeighMikeCindyClaytonDrakeEricJamieJuliaMaryMichaelMichaelSeanSimonTony

Send us a textThe Black Metal perspective makes a long overdue debut to the Nordic Sound in episode 49 with the inimitable Thomas Eriksen (Mork, Udåd). Not only has Thomas made quite the name for himself as the mind behind Mork, but kept himself and others entertained during COVID running his own Black Metal podcast, the "Thomas Eriksen Podcast" which featured some in depth conversations with big names in Norwegian Black Metal. Join us as Thomas takes us through what the style means to him, his recent work on Mork's seventh album "Syv", and my favorite, his haunting experimental project Udåd.Thomas's work has captivated me over the last few years as I've explored his impressive discography defined by "urkraft", and a warm, organic approach to black metal inspired by rock production styles from the 60s and 70s. "Udåd" sealed the deal for me with its bleak and skeletal approach to a primitive black metal sound, reminding one of the atmosphere of films like the Blair Witch Project. If you haven't yet, I do sincerely hope you check out Thomas's music.Patreon.com/nordicsound0:00 Intro1:47 Why Black Metal?19:09 The Thomas Eriksen Podcast32:57 Mork56:16 Udåd1:21:19 Midgardsblot1:25:18 Black Metal Today1:32:43 Closing ThoughtsSupport the showThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons over on Patreon.com/nordicsoundThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons:GeorgeBetsCarrieGenLeighMikeCindyClaytonDrakeEricJamieJuliaMaryMichaelMichaelSeanSimonTony

Send us a textOver the course of his career, Olav Mjelva has become something of a face of the Hardanger Fiddle, with his fiddle being heard in settings such as Rings of Power, God of War: Ragnarök, and Marvel’s Loki. As well as being featured in over 60 studio projects, he is also well known in the Scandifolk scene for his work with Sver, the Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, Rydvall/Mjelva, and the Lodestar Trio. After collaborating with Einar Selvik and Ivar Bjornson for Skuggsjá, Olav has returned to sign with ByNorse for his project Afargang, whose debut album “Andvake” is looking to reimagine what Folk Metal can be. I hope you enjoy this milestone episode of the Nordic Sound, in which Olav and I discuss his upbringing as a fiddler from Røros, his love of black metal, and how his upcoming album Andvake blends these two worlds, and as always, taking little detours along the way.Timestamps:0:00 Intro1:12 Sver in the States4:38 Origin Stories10:11 Learning the Hardanger Fiddle13:00 Becoming a Studio Musician18:04 Skuggsjá23:02 Afargang37:25 Black Metal as a Folk Musician45:11 The Nordic Sound48:29 Waiting for Andvake52:22 ByNorse56:24 Norway’s Folk Music boomSupport the showThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons over on Patreon.com/nordicsoundThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons:GeorgeBetsCarrieGenLeighMikeCindyClaytonDrakeEricJamieJuliaMaryMichaelMichaelSeanSimonTony