The Nordic Experimental Folk Experience

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My fellow Nucleo Synthentic Children (aka clumps of stardust)! It’s so lovely you are here. We at Rock Oracle are so grateful for you! Stacy – your ever-curious Gemini is here to share a little anecdote about a genre that’s really been “doing it” for me lately – Nordic Experimental Folk. 

Full transparency, I’m not sure that’s even the official genre “title”, but it’s Nordic – it’s experimental (for me, at least) – and it’s deeply rooted ancestrally, sooo … Nordic Experimental Folk, it is LOL **Also, if you search that title in Spotify, all the bands I’ve been listening to lately pop up!

Never in my life (before this past year) would I have thought my self-discovery journey would lead me to music like this. Not that my taste in music has ever really been “vanilla”, but over the last few years, there’s definitely been a shift in the kind of music I seek out. 

*Quick Disclaimer: The dashes you will experience in my writing are a personal preference. They feel like poetic pauses to me; I love them. I know today’s AI tools love to use them, as well … rest assured, however, AI was not used to write this article LOL Thank you!*

I was born in the 90s, so the first “prominent” era of music for me was the early 2000s – a time when (in my obviously biased opinion) some of the best and worst music was created LOL As us millennials know, it was a simpler time back then, and, for me, music was just music. I didn’t put much thought into it. I’d learn the lyrics, watch the music videos, sing, dance, “rock out”, etc., but it was something I just considered fun. 

My parents introduced me to Rock, Motown, The Oldies, Classic Country (the really good stuff), and later I branched out on my own, discovering Pop and Indie, then finding myself lost in the art of Alt, Punk, and Emo. I eventually landed in the wild and wonderful world of Metal where, once I hit my teens, I started paying more attention to lyrics and music videos (shout out to the OG MTV – RIP). The emotional power that Metal made me feel was something I’d never experienced before, and I was instantly hooked! (Big love to System of a Down and As I Lay Dying – the first bands to induct me into the Metal genre).

Like all kids (especially millennials), I underwent my angsty, “label” phases – where one year I would only listen to Pop music and shop at Aeropostale and Abercrombie – the next I was anti-Pop and strictly listening to Emo; it’s not a phase – it’s a lifestyle! LOL (To be fair, the Emo phase lasted the longest for me. I actually like to say a core part of me is Emo … and I ain’t got no shame about it!)

Bottom line: Music has always played an important role in my life, and my love for it has grown so much over the years – that love blossoming into something more meaningful as I got older – and especially after my first time taking mushroom medicine! (Spoiler alert, I’ve only eaten them twice, and the first time was the only one I enjoyed LOL). 

It was in that first experience I truly heard music for the first time. This is not me encouraging anyone to take hallucinogenics, by the way. That’s 100% a personal choice and one I would never push anyone to make! To anyone who hasn’t had a mushroom journey, though, I’m sure it could sound silly or outlandish to hear someone say, “I never truly heard music until I ate mushrooms”, but that was absolutely my experience – and one I’ll never regret.

When preparing for “blast off”, as my husband like to call it – my husband who loooooves mushrooms, by the way LOL – I was instructed to make a playlist with him and add all my most favorite songs – the ones I felt had been game changers for me up to that point in life. I found myself running back to a lot of songs from my fav Emo bands: Death Cab for Cutie, Eisely, Straylight Run – to name a few. Of course, some Metal bands were sprinkled in there, too, but the Emo bands had the biggest effect.

I can’t recall what song played first – or which I truly heard first –  but I do remember when Straylight Run’s song, Existentialism on Prom Night, started … Man … this immense (intense) feeling of understanding and presence washed over me. Every single note, every vibration streaming through the air … it was as if I could feel the molecules shifting around me – the air changing as each note rang out from the speakers. I’d even go so far to say I envisioned the music in my mind’s eye, each note producing a different color, image, shape, etc. Again, only sharing my own experience here and would never aim to talk someone into doing it, but I will say: the experience was magical. In the end, I felt opened up to music even more than before – more than I thought would be possible, really. My psyche changed for the better that day.

After then, I began listening to music differently – I started paying close(r) attention. Rather than just “hearing” the music, I was listening to how it was composed – how the lyrics and melodies were crafted, how they blended – how each instrument/musician contributed to the whole, but also how they showed up individually … My mushroom “awakening” brought me one of the gifts we can experience in life: the reminder of presence. Intentional presence! 

“Okay … I’ve gotten this far, and she hasn’t mentioned this ‘Nordic Experimental Folk’ genre again …?” I know! I’m getting there – I promise!

My mushroom pilgrimage was several years ago, and I’m not as intensely present with music today as I was for the several months that followed that experience (although, come to think of it, maybe I should get back that??), but my journey with music hasn’t stopped, and it’s been one hell of a wild ride! 

My catalog has grown immensely! I dip in and out of so many genres … my Spotify algorithm is utterly confused most days LOL But, the genre I keep coming back to and that’s been sparking something powerful inside is – you guessed it! – Nordic Experimental Folk.

I never imagined I’d fall so hard into this style of music, but that’s exactly what I’ve done – fallen so hard! It ignites something in me that I don’t really understand, but I also don’t really care to understand it LOL Some bands to mention: Heilung, Wardruna, Eivør, SKÁLD, Kalandra … their music takes me on a journey – much like the mushrooms that first time! 

When I’m listening, something deep down feels like it’s being shaken awake – a deeply ancestral, tribal essence (that we all share to some extent). The music is ethereal, otherworldly – the tones and vocals profound and archaic at the same time – runic – giving off this energy of a deep reminiscence to an old way of living. You can tell by watching live performances (or just music videos from the above-mentioned bands), as well, that Nature is an integral part of the inspiration. That and, of course, deep ancestral and cultural roots. 

It’s a funny thing: I’m pretty sure I have zero Nordic/Viking ancestry in my bloodline, but there’s still that “thing” with this genre that pulls me in and makes me feel more closely connected to my own ancestors. I often end up thinking of the family members who came so long before me; the ones who, unknowingly, paved the way for me to be sitting here now, typing my little heart away (whilst slamming mini M&Ms LOL). 

I know I’ve said it before, but – damn! – Music is so powerful! (And, don’t judge, okay? M&Ms are effing delicious hah)

Another funny thing: my husband and a few of our closest friends tried to introduce me to this genre of music a few years back (specifically the band Kalandra), and, for whatever reason, I wasn’t into it at the time. It didn’t hit me like it does now. Maybe I just wasn’t open enough at the time, or I wasn’t ready for the activation this music path was going to bring me … but, when you’re meant to experience something or something that’s going to have significant impact is meant to find you, it’ll keep coming around somehow until we finally grab hold. Oh how grateful I am that this music came back around to me!

For me, Nordic Experimental Folk music is (or can be), at its core, a profound reminder of our roots – where we come from – and how important it is to hold that close – to never forget. It also makes me ponder about the sacredness of life – our Souls … how they connect to one another and every other living thing around us. In this modern, tech-driven world, these aspects of life can be so easily forgotten. Thanks to these incredible, Nordic bands, though, we are given the gift of remembering – along with the chance to really feel into it.

Nordic Experimental Folk has it all, people: symphonic, ethereal sounds, vocals (and throatsinging) that echo ancient days – sometimes soft, sometimes archaic and haunting (but, like, in a good way, haha) – and an unmatched depth that beckons us to a time in life that’s neither here nor there but is somehow a time our Souls remember – always.

Music has always connected us. It’s helped us tell our stories – for literal centuries! – And these (absolutely fantastic) Nordic bands are continuing the tradition. They are doing real magic, and how lucky are we to be alive in a time where we can tune in.

Bands like Heilung have been showing me a way back to a more rooted, intentional existence. It’s been so healing and enlightening. I highly recommend giving them a listen if you haven’t already. (And if you have, and it didn’t quite “hit” the first time, maybe this is your sign to give it another try *wink*) 

If you’re new to the idea of this type of genre, you can ease into it with this Playlist on Spotify – Northern Spirits. It’s a good mix of bands that fall into this genre – all with that magnetic pull. (To note: I think Aurora is also a great artist to start with; I’m convinced she’s a Nordic Pop Princess with vocals that could heal the world!) 

Truth be told, I’ve connected deeply with tribal-forward music – “World Music” – from a young age. I’ve felt deeply connected to Nature and my ancestors from a young age, as well. I’ve experienced the pull to something greater than just what I can see in front of me for a long, long time … So, really, it’s not at all surprising why I love this Nordic music genre so much … I just denied myself permission (for most of my life) to explore that pull and deep connection – out of fear of being judged. 

Well, you know what I say? Fear not the judgment of others! Others are not responsible for you living authentically and becoming who you want to be. So, go forth – prosper – be yourself – live authentically and unapologetically – enjoy your life – and check out some Nordic Experimental Folk music while you’re at it!

Oh! And be on the lookout for more from me about the bands that grace this genre. I will have more to say and share – don’t you worry!

Catch you next time, Children of the Stars ~