Incredible band in Boston tonight!

Subject: Incredible band in Boston tonight!
From: Peg
Date: 18 Jul 00 - 12:35 PM

Tonight at the Middle East (Central Square in Cambridge, on Massachusetts Avenue) Bats in the Belfry presents Garmana From Sweden.

I was honored to attend a promo/press party with the band at Pravda last night--they played three short but amazing sets. (There was also an incredible spread of Scandinavian food, vodka drinks made with lingonberries and elderflower juice poured over a huge block of ice made into a sort of bartenders' luge run...all sponsored by the Scandinavian Channel)

Anyway, the music combines medieval ballads, some in Icelandic or Swedish, set to haunting, circular, trancing melodies with occasional hard rock stylings; the instruments include fiddles, hurdy-gurdy (the one used is a copy of an ancient model found in Scandinavia), acoustic guitar, bass, jaw harp, and drums (heavy on the tom-toms).

Indescribably gorgeous vocals from a beautiful young singer; she is like Bjork without all the trembling earnestness...grounded and calm and able to sing both fiercely and sweetly.

Two other bands open at 9 pm (Desar and Basque); Garmana should go on at about 11 pm...

Peg

Subject: RE: Incredible band in Boston tonight!
From: Ed Pellow
Date: 18 Jul 00 - 01:05 PM

You can find their website here, and whilst the site's a real pain to navigate properly, it does include some good real audio samples.

They sound an interesting band. Thanks for alerting us Peg. Shame the Atlantic's in the way...

Ed

Subject: RE: Incredible band in Boston tonight!
From: Rana who SHOULD be working
Date: 18 Jul 00 - 01:46 PM

Peg,

Heard them first on the Nordic sampler CD (less than $5 - great promotion) and had to get one of their CDs. Really like them and if I was in Boston would go out and see 'em. If others are near Boston they should try and catch them. Another good band from that CD (maybe slightly "heavier" is Hedinarga (spelling?).

Rana

Subject: RE: Incredible band in Boston tonight!
From: Peg
Date: 18 Jul 00 - 03:45 PM

yes, that band Hedningarna (I think that is the spelling?? I got that same compilation CD with many Scandinavian bands--from Northside, who used to be RykoDisc--and they have two tracks on it) is highly recommended by my pals who alerted me to the Garmana gig.

Do go see them, anyone who gets a chance. They are starting to tour more, apparently...

I also got to speak with them a bit and they are very nice and approachable and real...

Subject: RE: Incredible band in Boston tonight!
From: GUEST,Barry Finn
Date: 18 Jul 00 - 10:07 PM

Hi Peg, bring all to the singer's session tomorrow night, it'll be a great excuse to see & hear you again. You'll have to drop by next week for sure though. Barry

Subject: RE: Incredible band in Boston tonight!
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 18 Jul 00 - 10:25 PM

Ah, swell, Garmarna fans? Coooool. One of my favourites. They were just here this spring for the 2000 Nordic Roots Festival, which rocked. I can't wait for their fall tour. Check out NorthSide, who puts their albums out in the US.

Also, if you like Emma Härdelin's voice, you might want to check out Triakel, which is also great (but much different than Garmarna).

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Incredible band in Boston tonight!
From: Peg
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 11:54 AM

THEY ROCKED!!!

Sorry, Barry, (hey, bud, I just may make it there tonight! and certainly next week) I don't think they will be in town after today...shoulda thought to ask, though! (next time I will; they will be here in November--I will remind you all to get your asses there! Maybe they will play a venue like the Somerville Theatre...though I thought they worked well in the Middle East).

I got to do a short interview with Emma; she told me about Triakel, more traditional than Garmarna...wow what a singer..total control but with a slight air of vulnerability...and completely unselfconscious...and beautiful...

peg