Show #51: The Heathens

This week we're heading across The Pond and up nort, der hey.



Meaning "the heathens", Hedningarna were formed in Sweden back in 1987 and released their first album two years later. They play a heady mix of Swedish folk and rock with the latest sampling & programming thrown in as well. Swedish folk music doesn't tend to be all bright and cheery so I thought this show would be a good match for the gloomy, overcast weather we've been having a lot here lately.

The performance here was recorded at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago as part of the World Music Festival on 24 September 2000. The group's line-up has changed over the years but here it is at the time of recording as best as I can piece together:

Hållbus Totte Mattsson - ute, hurdy-gurdy, mandora, mora-oud, etc.

Anders Norrudde - violin, hardingfela, moraharp, basmoraharp, stringed harp, swedish bagpipe, willowflute, cow- and goathorn, just about anything

Magnus Stinnerbom - viola, hurdy-gurdy etc.

Liisa Matveinen - vocals

Christian Svensson - percussion and sampler

Unfortunately, the notes I received with the recording did not have a setlist. But don't let that stop you from enjoying the drony Swedish goodness within!

Download show

Hedningarna