#66 - John Stenersen live from Midgardsblot talks solo Nyckelharpa project

Send us Fan MailWelcome back to the Nordic Sound. This is the first of a few live interviews done across both Midgardsblot and Fire in the Mountains, so there is a video component for those listening on podcast if you’d like to watch the scenic places where these chats take place as a nice changeup from zoom. This first of the festival interview series is with mr. John Stenersen of Wardruna who is currently ramping up to release his first solo album on ByNorse, featuring traditional tunes played on Nyckelharpa with tastefully dark and brooding accompaniment on droning instruments and percussion. In this upcoming conversation, John and I talk about a wide range of things including the inspiration for the solo album itself and his diy introduction to the Nordic folk tradition, and we learn some about his first musical experiences as a kid too which was pretty fun. One caveat I always like to preface these live interviews with is because they are live at festivals, there will of course be more ambient noise than the typical Nordic Sound episode: people chatting in the distance, sound checks, seagulls, planes overhead… the works. Luckily there was nothing intrusive, but  I just wanted to mention it for posterity. It’s all part of the charm of festival interviews - it really sets the sceneSupport the showThe Nordic Sound is supported by its patrons over on Patreon.com/jamesonfosterBarMonicaEmberGeorgeBetsCarrieGenLeighMikeCindyClaytonDrakeEricJamieJuliaMaryMichaelMichaelSeanSimonTonyYou too can support the project at patreon.com/nordicsound