Welcome to the Fiddler's Nest!
The Fiddler's Nest is not made of twigs and leaves; it's the room where the instrument case is left open, and the fiddle rests in its holder. Rosin is left out and spare strings sit on the desk. Music is strewn about the floor and placed haphazardly in the music stand. A forgotten cup of coffee is perched on the side-table; a remanent of a comfortable morning spent tickling the strings, before time had to restart and the business of everyday life kicked back into gear. The Fiddler's nest is defined by Hygge: contentment and comfort, but is also defined by an air of the things soon to hatch; the music born of the musician; the magic born of the Spellemann.
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About Me & My Mission:
Hello Fiddlers and Friends! I am Svea, a Violinist and Fiddler (Spellemann in Norwegian). I draw, write, play Dungeons & Dragons and I devour Fantasy and Sci-Fi books like nobody's business. I love to look for the magic in life which is why I love being called a Spellemann; it makes me feel like I'm a wizard who casts spells!I spend my time casting these spells on my violin and hardanger fiddle, dabbling in other expensive hobbies I have no business dabbling in, and petting my two cats and dogs. Mixed around in there are also the people who I love dearly, and who I would not have gotten far in life without.It is love for the richness of life, hobbies, and people that is the core to folk music; it's a genre that appreciates these loves with a dual humility and ferocity. Folk is for communities, families, and friends, but it is also political. Music always is.Something I always like to say when it comes to music is that everyone is a musician. Even the act of listening to music is participating in it's creation, so long as it makes an impression! This is something humans have done from the beginning of time.Everyone consumes and/or creates art. It may be through story, physical medium, music, or other forms of art. What's amazing about the Hardanger Fiddle is that it combines those three things into one. A Hardanger Fiddle is- structurally- a work of art by it's traditional pearl in-lay and rosetegning (rose drawing). It also has its notorious, almost haunting, melody; with a rich resonance flowing beneath (courtesy of the sympathetic strings). The traditional songs (originally passed down by ear) often came with a story passed down orally from teacher to student. In those three ways, the Hardanger Fiddle and its music represents the melding of the things that reside in our bones. No machine can take that from us. I support people, their stories, and our expression of them.My Mission is to spread knowledge of this branch of Norwegian heritage (while I continue learning myself), as well as bring a little bit of myself into it as well. I stand for "Fiddlers Against Xenophobia" , people made art, and acting with kindness wherever possible.
Fiddlers Against Xenophobia:
I read about "Fiddlers Against Xenophobia" in this wonderful book of songs, Scandinavian history and folk tradition by Laurie Hart: "Toss a Coin to the Fiddler" (yes this inspired the Heading to my "tip" section).This movement was apart of a project by Folkmusikens in Rattvik and Spelmansstammor in Bingsjo, Boda and Delsbo (affiliated links below)It feels pointless to express in succinct words what Laurie Hart already aptly summarized in her book, and what can be found at the links below, but I can say what finding out about this movement meant to me.When I was young, I was taught that the U.S.A was a melting pot. we read short stories about Ellis Island, about the trials Immigrants went through on their journey from Europe to "The New World" for a better life . I loved reading "The American Girl Doll" books. One of my favorite stories was about Kirsten Larson traveling to America on The Eagle, and I took pride in talking about my great-grandfather, who was a Swedish immigrant.Great-grandfather did not feel so many generations removed from myself. Thinking I was only three generations from someone who had lived in a different country, who'd been exposed to a different culture and learned a new language... to be only three generations from an immigrant felt like knowing a celebrity. I wore that badge with pride.It was disheartening to grow up and learn that some could not grow up with that loud pride. That the word "immigrant" was a whispered term especially for non-european immigrants. To make matters worse, folk and scandinavian imagery was misappropriated for this type of bigotry. Falling in love with my own culture and heritage came with a certain measure of caution because people used my heritage to spread a hateful rhetoric.I feared I was in the minority with my opinion, and so to see that this was a shared frustration- one that warranted a movement in Sweden- It lifted my spirits. Though it is a Swedish movement, I knew that I wanted my music to stand for the same appeal. I am not just someone who is against xenophobia, I am a fiddler who is against xenophobia. The two go hand in hand.Since I am a whole ocean away from the movement's founders, I have chosen to support by including a charity that supports immigrant families in the donation section below. I do not expect people to donate, but if any of what I said inspires you to, then I consider it an honor!Thankyou for joining me at' The Fiddlers' Nest!', now enough rambling... let's get to fiddling!
Listen to My Fiddling!
^Bruermarsj frå Vang in the style of Torleiv Bolstad
^Gangar etter Gamle Hans Fykerud
^Hommage Till en Spielman
^Jonsejenta etter Arne Anderhal
^(Reinlender) Fra Ål Nedtegning av Sven Nyhus etter Lars Gjeldokk, Ål (1908-1978)
^Ringnesen (Reinlendar)
^Adam uti paradis (reinlender) etter Gunnar Austegard
^Låt till far etter Pers Erik Olsson, Rittvik (Sweden)