The jury's reasoning: Tuva Livsdatter Syvertsen and Erik Sollid (Valkyrien Allstars) have shown with the album "Farewell, Family and Friends" that they are one of the best folk music has to offer. They serve an extremely successful symbiosis of folk music, songs and rock, always with the Hardanger fiddle at the center of the sound. The band maintains a distinctive character while also going […]
/ 18/11/2015 / codexThe jury's reasoning:
Tuva Livsdatter Syvertsen and Erik Sollid (Valkyrien Allstars) have shown with the album "Farewell, Family and Friends" that they are one of the best folk music has to offer. They serve up an extremely successful symbiosis of folk music, songs and rock, always with the Hardanger fiddle central to the soundscape. The band maintains a distinctive character while breaking new ground.
Syversten and Sollid lead the way, and are the bellwethers of folk music. They are a great inspiration to many young people both within and outside the folk music community, and also abroad they promote and arouse interest in Norwegian folk music. The band's mission here in the world seems to be to unite Norwegian traditional music with elements from pop, blues and rock.
The song material on "Farewell, Family and Friends" is to a greater extent than before self-composed. There are still elements of traditional Hardanger fiddle songs and old folk songs, but it is the band's own lyrics and melodies that dominate the release. It is raw and real both lyrically, musically and vocally. The album is solid, exciting and challenging, and wants something far more than just to please. The expression is gloomy, but as always with Valkyrien it has an intense nerve and presence. Deep roots are highlighted. "Farewell, Family and Friends" is modern music in an old spirit. In short, a remarkable release.