Swedish folk rock pioneers GARMARNA have been nominated for a Swedish Grammy Award – the Grammis. The band’s latest record ‘Förbundet’ was selected in the category folk album of the year. The winner will be announced on June 3rd. More information on the Grammis and the full list of nominees can be found here.
GARMARNA have also been selected as a Session II finalist in the John Lennon songwriting contest 2020 and have also been chosen as a semi-finalist in the international songwriting competition! The folk rockers were recognized for the song ‘Dagen Flyr’ in the world music category for each respective contest.
‘Förbundet’ was released on November 6, 2020 via Season of Mist. The album is available in various formats in the Season of Mist shop HERE. Stream the album HERE.
Video credits:
Artwork by Axel Torvenius
Film / Photography by Severus Tenenbaum
The cover artwork of ‘Förbundet’ was created by Axel Torvenius and can be viewed below, together with the tracklist.
Tracklist:
1. Ramunder (04:58)
2. Två Systrar (05:53)
3. Dagen Flyr (03:51)
4. Sven i Rosengård (05:24)
5. Ur världen att gå (04:52)
6. Vägskäl (04:56)
7. Lussi Lilla (04:35)
8. Avskedet (05:27)
9. Din Grav (01:56)
Total: 0:41:52
More than 25 years in the making, Swedish folk rock pioneers GARMARNA continue to invent what music rooted in the Scandinavian tradition is about. The new album ‘Förbundet’, also the band’s debut to the new label Season of Mist, is a hard-hitting record that pushes the boundaries of traditional folk and defines the soul of GARMARNA.
The folk act started in 1990, formed by Stefan Brisland-Ferner, Gotte Ringqvist and Rickard Westman. Later in 1992, Jens Höglin joined and vocalist Emma Härdelin in 1993. Having toured extensively in Europe and the United States, GARMARNA celebrated international success with their mix of Swedish traditional folk music, electronica, and rock. The band was nominated for a Swedish Grammy three times and won the title ‘folk album of the year’ for the album ‘Guds Spelemän’ (1996).
After releasing the trip hop and rock influenced ‘Vedergällningen’, GARMARNA took a long hiatus – lasting almost 15 years – aside from a few small live appearances. Early 2016, the experimental folk rockers returned with their sixth full-length, aptly titled ‘6’. While focusing on their own abilities, the band also charted previously unexplored territories and cooperated with major Swedish artists such as Maxida Märak, Thåström, Annika Norlin.
In 2018, the five-piece began a Kickstarter campaign to fund their new record. The recording was completed a year later. The new full-length ‘Förbundet’ was produced by GARMARNA’s own Stefan Brisland-Ferner and Christopher Juul (HEILUNG, VALRAVN, EUZEN) and features guest appearances of Maria Franz (vocals on ”Två Systrar”), Anders Norudde (moraharpa on ”Ramunder”) and Ulf Gruvberg (vocals on ”Lussi Lilla”). ‘Förbundet’ will see the light of day on November 6, 2020.
One of the underlying themes of the record is facing the beauty of living and the beauty in saying goodbye. Some of the core songs on the record, consisting of ”Dagen Flyr”, ”Ur Världen Att Gå” and ”Avskedet”, spread their message of sorrow and letting go across all of the other songs.
Having always pushed to reinvent themselves with every record, GARMARNA does not shy away from modern, electronic influences on ‘Förbundet’. Simultaneously, the musicians also took a closer look at what they believe is the core of their music, calling it the most satisfying albums they have made so far. ‘Förbundet’is all about that soul, from start to finish.
Line-up:
Emma Härdelin: Vocals, violin
Stefan Brisland-Ferner: Violin, viola, hurdy gurdy, tagelharpa, electronics, backing vocals
Jens Höglin: Drums, electronics
Rickard Westman: Guitar, bass
Gotte Ringqvist: Guitar, violin, tagelharpa, backing vocals
Recording studio: DNA Studios Stockholm, Studio NEVO Sundsvall, Studio Cobra, Stockholm
Producer: Stefan Brisland-Ferner
Executive producer: Christopher Juul
Engineer: Stefan Brisland-Ferner (DNA Studios), Henrik Heinrich (Studio NEVO), Christian Gabel (Studio Cobra)
Mixing and mastering: Christopher Juul, Lava Studios
Recording line-up:
Emma Härdelin: Vocals, violin
Stefan Brisland-Ferner: Violin, Viola, Hurdy gurdy, Keyboards, Nordic bowed lyre, Kantele, Moraharpa, Mouth harp, Electronics, Electric guitar, Mandolin, Backing vocals
Gotte Ringqvist: Acoustic guitar, Hardanger fiddle, backing vocals
Rickard Westman: Electric guitar, Electric bass
Jens Höglin: Drums, Percussion, Electronics
Guest musicians:
Maria Franz (HEILUNG): Vocals on “Två Systrar
Anders Norudde: Moraharpa on “Ramunder”
Ulf Gruvberg: Vocals on “Lussi Lilla”