The Folk Music Podcast

Together with the new folk rock phenomena Gangar, Mattias Thedens has made a ruckus in the Norwegian folk scene recently. The band’s irresistible blend of Norwegian folk tunes, old-school rock, youthful energy and unapologetic stage presence is definitely making people pay attention.

In this conversation with Mattias we speak about the idea behind the band, how folk rock essentially is a bit silly and how to use that to your advantage. Mattias shares some of his experience when it comes to stage presence and showmanship, and how this plays in to getting people dancing and partying.

Please visit the website for more: https://thefolkmusicpodcast.com/episodes/folk-rock-with-mattias-thedens

Anna Ekborg is currently one of the most prominent fiddlers on the Swedish Folk Music scene.

In this conversation we speak about Anna’s musical background and her feelings about releasing an album completely solo. We also touch on a number of different things concerning the musician lifestyle, like how to best organize your life and career, how to deal with stage fright, work/life-balance, relationship with social media and how to develop your own style.

Please see the show website to learn more: https://thefolkmusicpodcast.com/episodes/solo-with-anna-ekborg

Jeffrey Wasserman grew up in the hamlet of East Norwich, New York. As a young man he fell in love with the progressive folk music movement of the 70s and started playing and writing music in a wide variety of genres like bluegrass, old-time, blues and Celtic music. Since 1983 he has been living in Norway enjoying a successful career as a songwriter for big Norwegian artists like Dance with a Stranger, Jonas Fjeld and Silje Nergaard.

In later years though, he has returned to his roots as an artist and songwriter in the world of acoustic folk music, with the albums «Jeffrey & The Free Radicals» (2009) and «The Meeting Of The Waters» (2018)

In this conversation, which was recorded at the Norwegian showcase festival Folkelarm in 2021, we speak about his career as a songwriter for other artists, how streaming has impacted the industry, his return to writing and performing folk tunes and his diverse musical background.

Andy Irvine has been an immensely influential folk singer and songwriter for more than 60 years. Through his work with bands like Sweeneys Men, Planxty, Patrick Street, he has been a central piece of shaping the sound of modern Celtic Music.

We meet Andy Irvine in Oslo just before he is about to play a solo show there. The conversation revolves around his work and inspirations as a songwriter, and the pivotal moments in his career that led him to the place he is today.

For more info please visit: thefolkmusicpodcast.com/episodes/andy-irvine-with-andy-irvine

In a small coastal town almost as far south you can get in Norway, Lars Jakob Rudjord creates instrumental music that takes you to places you’ve never been before. Though often compared to the likes of Nils Frahm, Olafur Arnalds or Joep Beving, Lars Jakob Rudjord has most certainly established his very own sound in the modern classical world. His melodies are just as well inspired by classical music, as by Norwegian folk music and Nordic folklore.

In our conversation we touch on a bunch of different topics like the relationship between different genres like classical, jazz and folk, ways to explore your voice as a composer, the piano as a folk music instrument, the challenges of approaching folk music coming from other genres, small town life as a musician and more!

For links and more info, please visit: https://thefolkmusicpodcast.com/episodes/indiepiano-with-lars-jakob-rudjord

Nell Ní Chróinín is one of the most prominent people in the world of traditional Irish Sean Nós singing. She has won numerous top prizes in traditional Irish music competition like the Fleadh Cheoil and An tOireachtas from the age of 12 and onwards. She was the youngest ever recipient to receive ‘TG4’s Gradam Ceoil Traditional Singer of the Year‘ award in 2012. Today she's both a teacher and a professional performing artist - solo and with the Irish band Danu!

In the episode she talks about her own journey in music, the history and regional styles of Sean nós, and its place in modern traditional Irish music.

For more info, see: https://thefolkmusicpodcast.com/episodes/sean-ns-singing-with-nell-n-chrinn

Mejram is a Swedish folkpop band with an appealing blend of American, Celtic and Nordic flavours. Just like the herb they take their name from, Mejram is Swedish for Marjoram, their music is subtle, sweet and intriguing.

Their second album «From Town» came out earlier this year, and just like their first release «Mejram» (2019) it features captivating lyrics in both English and Swedish.

In this conversation with Gabriella Josefsson and Marcus Fenn from the band we speak about their approach to songwriting, production and recording, and reflections about working together as a band.

Fiddle player Dave Sheridan has been a highly respected musician on the Irish scene for a number of years, well known for his energetic and warm approach to the traditional repertoire. Originally from Tubber in Co. Offaly, he now lives in Carlow where he his a vital part of the local traditional music scene.

He has released two brilliant albums with the band Raw Bar Collective and is currently out with a brand new duo album with whistle player and Piper Brian Hughes.

This conversation is recorded with a live audience at a small folk festival in Norway called «Irskhælj», and the conversation flows through many different topics, like different approaches to producing traditional music recordings, the difference between learning to play music now vs in the pre-internet era, regional styles vs personal style, his various musical projects and more!

Multi-instrumentalist Anna Massie is one of Scotland’s most renowned traditional musicians, known for her work with Blazin Fiddles, RANT and Mairead Green among others. We were able to sit down together for a chat during a busy weekend at the Førde International Folk Music Festival this summer. We talk about her musical background, her guitar style and views on different tunings, her work with Blazin Fiddles, the state of the Scottish trad scene, and decided ones and for all what is and isn’t folk music!

For more info, links and video, check out the show website: https://thefolkmusicpodcast.com/episodes/how-cool-is-traditional-music-with-anna-massie

Danish Accordion player Anders Trabjerg first came to Galway in the 90s because of his deep interest in Irish Traditional music. There he first met Japanese fiddler Mayo Yanachi, who had come there for the same reason, and today they are a married couple with two kids. For many years now, they have been working as professional musicians on the city’s vibrant music scene.

Check out the website for more info: https://thefolkmusicpodcast.com/episodes/the-galway-scene-with-anders-trabjerg-and-mayo-yanachi