Last week saw the release of Ferd, the new album from Norwegian musician and composer Kjell Braaten, drawing from a wide range of worldwide influences and sounds, especially from North Africa, America and the East. Following the lead single ‘Østavind’, Braaten shared the opening track, ‘Kyst’, which means “coast” and aims to honour travellers, those who set about on adventure and those who never returned. Braaten comments:

“The Norwegian coastline is enormously long and used to be the most essential way to travel and shipping goods. It was incredibly important to the people living here. Many travelled far to explore, conquer, most for trade. Some came back with triumph, some with defeat. Some never returned. Here, you can hear the excitement of those getting ready for adventure. You can hear the longing of those left behind, and the music in the halls of those longing. You can listen to the lurs calling the returning ships, and the cries to honour those that did not return. Also, you can hear some sounds brought back from far, far away.”

Braaten has offered a marvellous accompanying video for ‘Kyst’, where he is joined by Agðir on guest vocals and tagelharpa. Watch it below.

Ferd is out now through By Norse Music,

Photo: Kees Stravers

There’s a new album on the way from Norwegian musician and composer Kjell Braaten, who is also known as a member of Wardruna. Entitled Ferd, which means “journey” and “explore”, the album draws from a wide range of worldwide influences and sounds, especially from North Africa, America and the East and aims to honour the people who have traveled the world, promoting cultural exchange. “This aspect is highlighted through working with music in a historical sense,” explains the press release, “as most of the travelers’ instruments were brought back from far away cultures – bringing with them musical inspiration as well.” Braaten sought inspiration in Scandinavian nature and ancient sites where he spent a long time.

Ferd arrives on November 13th through By Norse Music, and ahead of it Braaten has shared the lead single ‘Østavind’, which is an old Norwegian term for the wind that blows from east. He commented on it:

“I use the word in the expanded sense, pointing at the fact that much of our culture (as many musical instruments) was brought back from the far east. It is a hymn to those who travelled there, but also to those who came here. There is endless evidence of how vital part this trade has played in Scandinavia’s cultural development. To underline the cultural exchange, I have used only instruments based on accepted finds from around Scandinavia, some with its origin in the middle east. The rhythms and scales used in this composition are from both cultures.”

‘Østavind’ comes with a video accompaniment produced by Ruben Gentékos and Tyra Rachel Torp-Bangsrud. Here it is.