Sorten Muld | |
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![]() Sorten Muld in 2022 | |
Background information | |
Origin | Århus, Denmark |
Genres | Folktronica |
Years active | 1995–present |
Labels | Northside Records |
Members |
Sorten Muld (lit. 'Black Soil' or 'Dark Ground') is a Danish folktronica band, formed in 1995. They have won two Danish Grammys for Mark II.
Their music can be characterized by elegantly composed rhythms, floating sound of typical folk-instruments like bagpipes, flutes and violins, in an electronica-composition that supports the dramatic lyrics. Some tracks on Mark II are up-beat with only few lyrics and could also be characterized as dance or techno.[1]
The lyrics are old stories from Danish folk tradition, about jealousy, murder, mythology and creatures. In "Kirstin" from Mark II a father serves his daughter a meal of her boyfriend's heart. In "Ulver" from III a man takes his girlfriend into the forest to kill and bury her. He falls asleep and she cuts him into pieces with his own sword.
Sorten Muld also published a concept album called Jord, Luft, Ild, Vand (Earth, Air, Fire, Water) – a mostly instrumental journey through the classic elements. The album is a reworked recording of music commissioned by Danske Gymnastik- & Idrætsforeninger for a gymnastics show on Bornholm.[2] It was self-published and was only available to buy from their website.
After this album the group disappeared from the public eye, but in April/May 2011 they performed three concerts in Denmark,[3] and again in 2012 at Tønder Festival.[4] and in 2014 and 2019.
Members
[edit]- Ulla Bendixen – vocals
- Martin Ottosen – musician-architect
- Henrik Munch – electronics
(all after this point appear on III only)
- Søren Bendixen – guitar
- Harald Haugaard – viola, violin, hurdy-gurdy
- Johannes Hejl – double bass
- Niels Kilele – percussion
- Tommy Nissen – drums
- Martin Seeberg – bagpipe, flute, Jewish harp
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]- Sorten Muld (1996)
- Mark II (1997)
- III (2000)
- Jord, Luft, Ild, Vand (2002)
- Mark IV - Lånt tid (2021)
Singles
[edit]- "Ravnen" (1997)
- "Ravnen" (1997) (alternative cover/track list)
- "Bonden og Elverpigen" (1997)
- "Som Stjernerne på Himlens blå" (1997)
- "Venelite" (1998)
- "Mylardatter" (1998)
- "Vølven" (2000)
- "Glød/Gylden Glød" (2020) - with AySay
- "Sangen om jorden" (2021)
- "Venelite II" (2021)
- "Under Månens Blanke Tæppe" (2021)
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Rootsworld. "Sorten Muld III / RootsWorld Recording Review". rootsworld.com. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- ^ Jeppesen, Lars Löbner (17 July 2002). "Sorten Muld udgiver soundtrack". Gaffa.dk (in Danish). GAFFA. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
- ^ Børjesen, Jesper Rise (1 April 2011). "Sorten Muld tager på pilot-tour". Gaffa.dk (in Danish). GAFFA. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
- ^ Kloppenborg, Sten (25 August 2012). "Sorten Muld: Tønder Festival 2012, Open Air Scenen". Gaffa.dk (in Danish). GAFFA. Retrieved 29 June 2013.