Sorten Muld

Sorten Muld
Sorten Muld in 2022
Sorten Muld in 2022
Background information
OriginÅrhus, Denmark
GenresFolktronica
Years active1995–present
LabelsNorthside Records
Members
  • Ulla Bendixen
  • Martin Ottesen
  • Henrik Munch
  • Sorten Muld (lit.'Black Soil' or 'Dark Ground') is a Danish folktronica band, formed in 1995. They have won two Danish Grammys for Mark II.

    Their music can be characterized by elegantly composed rhythms, floating sound of typical folk-instruments like bagpipes, flutes and violins, in an electronica-composition that supports the dramatic lyrics. Some tracks on Mark II are up-beat with only few lyrics and could also be characterized as dance or techno.[1]

    The lyrics are old stories from Danish folk tradition, about jealousy, murder, mythology and creatures. In "Kirstin" from Mark II a father serves his daughter a meal of her boyfriend's heart. In "Ulver" from III a man takes his girlfriend into the forest to kill and bury her. He falls asleep and she cuts him into pieces with his own sword.

    Sorten Muld also published a concept album called Jord, Luft, Ild, Vand (Earth, Air, Fire, Water) – a mostly instrumental journey through the classic elements. The album is a reworked recording of music commissioned by Danske Gymnastik- & Idrætsforeninger for a gymnastics show on Bornholm.[2] It was self-published and was only available to buy from their website.

    After this album the group disappeared from the public eye, but in April/May 2011 they performed three concerts in Denmark,[3] and again in 2012 at Tønder Festival.[4] and in 2014 and 2019.

    Members

    • Ulla Bendixen – vocals
    • Martin Ottosen – musician-architect
    • Henrik Munch – electronics

    (all after this point appear on III only)

    • Søren Bendixen – guitar
    • Harald Haugaard – viola, violin, hurdy-gurdy
    • Johannes Hejl – double bass
    • Niels Kilele – percussion
    • Tommy Nissen – drums
    • Martin Seeberg – bagpipe, flute, Jewish harp

    Discography

    Albums

    • Sorten Muld (1996)
    • Mark II (1997)
    • III (2000)
    • Jord, Luft, Ild, Vand (2002)
    • Mark IV - Lånt tid (2021)

    Singles

    • "Ravnen" (1997)
    • "Ravnen" (1997) (alternative cover/track list)
    • "Bonden og Elverpigen" (1997)
    • "Som Stjernerne på Himlens blå" (1997)
    • "Venelite" (1998)
    • "Mylardatter" (1998)
    • "Vølven" (2000)
    • "Glød/Gylden Glød" (2020) - with AySay
    • "Sangen om jorden" (2021)
    • "Venelite II" (2021)
    • "Under Månens Blanke Tæppe" (2021)

    References

    1. ^ Rootsworld. "Sorten Muld III / RootsWorld Recording Review". rootsworld.com. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
    2. ^ Jeppesen, Lars Löbner (17 July 2002). "Sorten Muld udgiver soundtrack". Gaffa.dk (in Danish). GAFFA. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
    3. ^ Børjesen, Jesper Rise (1 April 2011). "Sorten Muld tager på pilot-tour". Gaffa.dk (in Danish). GAFFA. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
    4. ^ Kloppenborg, Sten (25 August 2012). "Sorten Muld: Tønder Festival 2012, Open Air Scenen". Gaffa.dk (in Danish). GAFFA. Retrieved 29 June 2013.