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

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.

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

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.

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

Bouzouki player Eoin Ó Neill has been a vital part of the Clare music scene, in Western Ireland, for more than 40 years. Through the years he has played and recorded with players like Mary Custy, Sharon Shannon, Kevin Griffin and Miko Russell, as well as tons of local talent both young and old. In 2015 he was given the MÓRglór award for outstanding contribution to traditional music in County Clare. We meet up in Ennis during the Fleadh Nua festival. Since the town is very busy, we record the podcast in Eoin’s car just outside town. Eoin is a passionate and spontaneous person, and our conversation bounces around between different topics, including the story of how he discovered his love for the music of Clare, his playing style, his new album “In Session 2”, his passion for discovering and encouraging new talent, how music allows for important ways for people to connect with each other, and many other things! Learn more at: https://thefolkmusicpodcast.com

Americian fiddler Liz Knowles has been a prominent member of the Irish music scene worldwide for several decades. She’s been working with Cherish the Ladies, String Sisters and Martin Hayes Quartet, just to mention a few.In addition to being a performer she is also a sought-after teacher, and it's her thoughts about practicing music that is the theme of this episode’s conversation.Topics we touch on are, the concept og «single foucus», scheduling practice sessions, setting goals for your practice, the importance of giving your brain a break, how everyone’s goals are different, what goes in to having a «convincing sound», how to practice for speed, and more!

Hans Martin Austestad is a Norwegian singer, songwriter and producer. In addition to all of that, he is also one of the most innovative and knowledgeable banjo players on the Norwegian folk scene. In this episode I have a conversation with him about how the banjo has shaped his musical career, and how it has led him down some very interesting and unexpected paths!For videos, links and more info, please visit: https://thefolkmusicpodcast.com/episodes/the-banjo-episode-with-hans-martin-austestad

In this episode I’m speaking with English piano accordion player Karen Tweed. Karen is known for her smooth, playful style on the accordion and is regarded as one of the finest performers of Irish Music on the instrument. In this conversation we talk surprisingly little about the accordion, as we end up visiting a lot of different topics as diverse as creativity, art, role models, musical colors and cartoons(!) For show notes, videos and bonus material, please visit: https://thefolkmusicpodcast.com/episodes/accordion-art-and-jellyfish-with-karen-tweed

We're kicking of the second season of the show with legendary Swedish folk- and world musician Ale Möller. In this conversation we're focusing on Ale's approach to folk music and how he's able to maintain his own unique voice across all his various projects.

In episode 14 I’m speaking with Scottish fiddler Lauren MacColl about her latest album, her creative process and the art of approaching old traditional material, whether it being in written or recorded form. For links, video and additional resources, visit the show website: https://thefolkmusicpodcast.com/episodes/landskein-with-lauren-maccoll

In this episode I’m speaking with Folk singer and guitarist Matthew Byrne from Newfoundland about storytelling, tradition, creativity and guitar picks!For video, links and other resources, please visit the show website: https://www.thefolkmusicpodcast.com/episodes/the-art-of-storytelling-with-matthew-byrne

In this episode of the show I’m speaking with Ragnar Finsson and Oscar Beerten from the Faroese-Belgian duo Raske Drenge. Topics covered include their new album, the history of the Faroe Islands, the art of being in a successful band together and how push the boundaries of the folk music genre.For links, resources and videos, please visit the show website: https://bit.ly/2PjMyac