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).
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!
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.
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.
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 :)
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.
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! ❤
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 :)
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.
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.
@@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.
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!
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!
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.
Very interesting video! Mathias makes some fair points when it comes to what we call "The Viking Age", and that it is more than just the pirates and warriors. However I do think that in the 21st century pop culture the term "viking" kind of... stopped referring to the actual raiders from the Viking Age, but the whole romanticized view of them? Definitely agree when it comes to using "viking music" as a more abstract term rather than something directly referring to "historically accurate" music. But it's always interesting to see which vague ass new terms Spotify Wrapped comes up with to describe this whole genre 😂
Interesting! We struggle with this with some of our releases. We grudgingly use some of the terminology but whenever we discuss our music on social media we try to make the point that we're not historical re-enactors, we make modern music that has some medieval and pre-medieval influences and roots. Which is, indeed, what Einar Selvik and others say too. It's pretty much what Farya Faraji says too. He says he loves the music but his issue is with a section of the fans (rather than musicians) who think they're seeing history. Your take on the use of Viking Music as a genre name is interesting. We will think upon it!
To me the real issue is the fact that the vast majority of people living during the "Viking Age" weren't vikings... they were farmers, fishermen, traders, craftsmen, merchants, etc., and I suspect the musicians of that time mostly came from those members of the society. Necessarily equating using the runes, chanting the Voluspa, practicing Norse shamanism, or creating music inspired by ancient Nordic cultures with the vikings per se seems odd.
@@nordicsoundchannel I left my comment just prior to the 17:30 mark, where you address my point exactly. Oops! Should have watched to the end before commenting! Thank you for addressing that point.
The term “Viking music” has made me cringe from the start. Honestly though, you make some solid points here. You’ve changed my mind about the genre name. Like you said, I think the way the Viking age has been framed has a lot to do with how we feel about the term “Viking music”. So ultimately, is it the name of the genre that we cringe at or is it how the Viking age has been perceived in modern culture?
Thank you for watching - don't forget to click the *like* button if you want to help the channel grow and reach more people. With that business out of the way... I would love to hear what from this video resonated with you and what you'd like to talk more about. I was only able to scratch the surface on some beefy topics introduced here.
Wonderful album taking the listener on an incredible journey. I thought the use of space was really interesting - adding depth and a contemplative ambiance. The album artwork is superb too.
