AN INTERVIEW WITH ODE
ODE is a Swedish folk band. Their name is taken from the first letter of each member’s first name: Olle Linder (percussion, guitar, vocals), Dan Svensson (percussion, vocals, guitar), and Emilia Amper (nyckelharpa and vocals). Their sound draws not only upon traditional Swedish folk idioms, but modern ones as well. Think something like, say, the early Pentangle. Currently touring the United States, one of their stops is Binghamton’s Cyber Cafe West.
I spoke recently, via e-mail, with Olle Linder and Emilia Amper:
Doctor B: Your repertoire is made up of all-original material, no covers. That’s impressive, and the opposite of what many bands do. What made you and your band decide to take that route?
Olle Linder: The usual thing for bands that play traditional music is to play old tunes, and maybe in more modern arrangements, and that is something I really like. In a way, that felt already done, so the interesting thing for us was to see what comes out if we make our own traditional music. It wouldn’t turn out traditional, because we as persons are already so inspired by so much different music. Still, the songs will be referred to polska, schottis, or vals, typical styles within the Nordic traditions. Another thing, is that we wanted to write lyrics about ourselves and the world today, and it feels more genuine through our own material.
DB: You’ve made several trips to South America to study Latin grooves. How did you get interested in Latin rhythms? How do they fit into ODE’s sound?
OL: It struck me in my early twenties that I loved listening to Brazilian music. When something gets me going, I have to discover the secrets and learn how it works. I have realized that what usually is referred to as “Latin music,” is a universe of styles and origins, fusions of many traditions. In ODE, I just let it influence the “folk music” we do. For example, I’m very inspired by the 7-string guitar playing in samba music, and I play our polskas on a Brazilian 8-string guitar like a samba.
DB: The nyckelharpa is a traditional Swedish bowed instrument that’s a crucial part of ODE’s sound. Would you briefly describe it for our readers?
Emilia Amper: The nyckelharpa is a traditional Swedish instrument with roots from the medieval ages. It’s played with a bow, like a violin, but it’s a little bit bigger and held in front of you like a guitar. Instead of putting the fingers on the strings to shorten it and make the different notes, there are rows of keys (nyckel) that you push with the left hand fingers, that go in and shorten the string. It has four strings that you play on, and also twelve sympathetic strings that function like a built-in reverb. It has a really special sound, both deeper than a violin and, at the same time, with a silvery treble to it with these softly ringing sympathetic strings. From being a local traditional instrument for some centuries, and even facing extinction at some points, the nyckelharpa is now going strong and growing in numbers and becoming popular all over the world. New models are being made, and new genres like baroque, other traditional music, rock, and so on, are being played on it. And there are a number of nyckelharpa players in the U.S. as well- check out the American Nyckelharpa Association!
DB: Emilia, has played all over the world. She once performed with, and had a piece (“The Telemann Experiment”) written for her by Deep Purple’s Jon Lord. How did she join ODE?
OL: Well, Emilia and I met when she was attending a concert I was performing in. She had just come back from a world tour and went to hear this traditional Swedish Christmas program that I was part of. Apparently, she knew all the band except me, and when we got introduced to each other I immediately thought that she might be the perfect nyckelharpa player for the trio I had in mind. I had carried the idea of a trio with nyckelharpa for a while. DB: Your percussionist and guitarist, Dan Svensson, has said that,”…when in need, anything can be an instrument.” What’s the most unusual thing you’ve seen him make music with? How did he join ODE?
OL: A few years ago he made a concert with old agricultural implements. For example, he was drumming on a combine and made the most beautiful sounds! As mentioned, I had had the idea of forming a trio, and a few years earlier than I met Emilia, Dan contacted me on MySpace with a friend request. When I heard him singing and playing his own stuff, I knew I wanted to play with him! But it was when I first met Emilia that I realized that here are the makings of a trio, and it depends on me to make it happen!
DB: We’re glad that you chose The Cyber Cafe in Binghamton as a stop on your U.S. tour. What appealed to you most about it?
OL: Yes, we are so much looking forward to coming and playing at this place, I have heard so many good things about it! I guess it is the good-vibe atmosphere and nice people which has influenced our choice!
ODE plays Cyber Cafe West (176 Main St, Binghamton) on Friday, February 12th, with special guests Milkweed, at 8pm. You can find out more about them by going to: odemuzik.com or cybercafewest.com.
