When asked about his new track Ek Rið Nordic Tribal musician Torulf says “ “Being part of a concept album - and thus part of a larger story - Ek Ríð is a chapter in the album Ristningar i Ginnungagap. It is the second song in the album and the main inspiration for the song is therefore the same as the album which is journeying to the realm of Ginnungagap of ancient Scandinavian lore. Ek Ríð is at the beginning of that journey - riding towards something not yet experienced, in this case Ginnungagap. The excitement, the thrill, and anxiety all gather as the rider is moving towards his goal. With this song, I want to convey themes of courage, adventure, and heading forward in a mission to reach somewhere you haven’t been before.”
From the very first notes of Torulf’s song Ek Ríð from the album Ristningar i Ginnungagap, there is a sense of anticipation, mirroring the excitement and thrill of embarking on a journey into the unknown. The pounding rhythms and primal chants capture the essence of a rider setting forth on a quest, his heart beating with a mix of exhilaration and trepidation. Amidst the pulsating energy of the music there is a subtle undercurrent of anxiety that is just a reminder of the uncertainties that are faced when journeying through unfamiliar terrain towards an unknown place. Balancing beautifully between excitement and apprehension the mesmerizing and enchanting melodies have a primal resonance to anyone that has been allured by distant shores and the call of the wild.
Remembering the exact moment when he was enchanted by and attracted to the genre of Nordic Tribal music, musician Torulf explains “It was in 2014 when I was in University, studying sound and music production. One day, my teacher entered the lecture room with an odd looking instrument.” The instrument was a Hurdy-Gurdy. Torulf describes the sound of the instrument as having a “raw, acoustic, drone-like sound.” Torulf found that the sound of the Hurdy-Gurdy was “filling a void” in his life that he didn’t even realize he was seeking to fill musically. Having previously explored numerous musical genres including Space Ambient, Future Beats and Electronica music sampled with Asian ethnic instruments it was this serendipitous introduction to Nordic Folk with a modern twist that served as the inspiration that Torulf needed to embark on a different musical journey.
Torulf’s University of Sweden lecturer showcased the Hurdy-Gurdy and the fact that he had been playing the instrument in a band called Hedningarna since the 1980s. The band Hedningarna created music that Torulf describes as merging “modern technology and traditional instruments whilst rooted in Nordic folklore”. This introduction to the music of Hedningarna by one of the band members resulted in a shift in Torulf’s musical trajectory and he says put him on “a path that is rooted in my heritage which was evidently needed in my life at the time”.Torulf describes Hedningarna as “the biggest musical influence” and he believes “their idea of weaving traditional Nordic Folk music with looping, pedals and other modern technology is genius to me”. This revelation began Torulf’s extraordinary musical odyssey.
When approaching songwriting Torulf uses storytelling. He explains “First and foremost I am creating concept albums which means that every album is a story, and every song is a chapter in that story.” Incorporating his own experiences through the lense of his Nordic heritage, Torulf ensures that “the setting in which this story takes place may be illusive, metaphysical, and open to interpretation - however each song I write and each album I create has a real-life foundation to them.” Torulf is adamant that “each album - and every song - is intended to bring the listener on a journey that is flowing forward and in coherence to the story/theme I am telling”.
Having always been into musical effects both digital and analog, Torulf experiments with various combinations of effects throughout the songwriting process. Although he has respect for acoustic purists when it comes to his song writing, Torulf is not a purist, but instead blends digital and acoustic instruments. Torulf cleverly finds a balance and uses the tools that he has to create music that expresses his story. He explains “the effects I use are building an atmosphere - a mood and/or a frame - in which the story and leading instruments can take place”. Torulf incorporates many instruments into his music, and he says “as of now my main acoustic instruments to create my sound are Tagelharpa, Bodhran and percussives. My Tagelharpa has a pick-up mic installed so I can directly plug it in to pedals and my DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)”. His use of the Bodhran is utilized by Torulf to bring “an acoustic element and texture to sampled or electronic drums, thus making a mix of digital and recorded drums. This is also true for percussion, where I blend recorded bones, shakers, and more, with sampled and digital percussion”.
Torulf admits to have been inspired by pivotal moments in his life for both his albums Västerled(2018) and Ristningar I Ginnungagap (2024). He has explored such themes as awakening, adventure, struggle and rebirth in his music. He explains “moments and experiences inspire me deeply and I convey them in the theme of Nordic heathen beliefs, heritage, and folklore because these are my beliefs, my heritage, and part of my life.”
Heavily involved in the aesthetic of his music Torulf says “I made them by drawing on paper, taking a photo with my phone, and doing the rest on a free software. Not ideal, but it was fast to learn and easily enough to produce something I was happy with”. The album covers are important to Torulf and he believes that they need to have imagery and symbolism that reflect the story of his music. Visually Torulf is inspired by personal experiences in his life, the Scandinavian bronze age petroglyphs (Swedish: hällristningar), runes, nordic nature, the sea and sea-faring. Recently Torulf’s fiancé created the visual work and design for Ek Ríð and Ristningar i Ginnungagap, both digitally and for the physical CD. Torulf says “she did an absolutely brilliant job at that, Torulf has never looked as visually good as now thanks to her”.
With the foundations of Torulf music being what he describes as “experiences, moments and the ever-growing branches of life.” He doesn’t necessarily see himself as staying creative but more as creativity finding him. Torulf admits “I do not know the source where the creativity comes from - but when it does - I am harnessing as much as I am able. It is within my beliefs, that if creativity strikes me, I am obligated to heed it.”Torulf assimilates growing as an artist for him as growing as a man. He believes he is “harnessing aspects of my life, my experiences, and my beliefs, into my music in a way that hopefully resonates with people in their own journey, adventure, and experiences. When I grow, so does my music”.
When making his album Ristningar i GinnungagapTorulf found himself faced with an obstacle. He had been living in Scotland and in the middle of the production of the album in 2020 he had accidentally left his laptop in Scotland. A few weeks later due to Covid the borders in the United Kingdom closed down meaning that Torulf was unable to work on his music. He explains “I was unable to work on my music for a long time. It wasn’t until six months later in June I could return back to Scotland, and when I did, I immediately moved back to Sweden and more life events occurred after that.” Its wasn’t until 2022 that Torulf could go back to working on his album. This presented its own difficulties and Torulf says “the way I create music is very much in the moment - a flow state - yet this time I had to pick up from where I left off two years ago and had to go back into a mindset that was so far away. I struggled for a long time to get back into the mindset, but finally I rediscovered it. Once that happened, I finished the songwriting in a haze and thereafter could finally start the mixing and mastering process.”
Performing live in various bands since he was a teenager and most recently having been part of the live band Hindarfjäll, Torulf is considering doing a one of a kind musical experience with his music. Although Torulf says that his music is not easily translated to a live stage he hopes in the future to focus on what he describes as “making the live experience unique and memorable”.
Initially Torulf was more active on social media trying to reach out to a large audience. He has now become quite minimalistic on his social media looking for more qualitative interactions. He thought at first this would reduce his audience, but his listener cohort has remained stable for which he is grateful. Preferring for people to interact with his music rather than him Torulf now has what he describes as “a very laid-back engagement with fans compared to others, speaking solely on social media.” He says that in terms of interactions with fans he has had “very touching messages and people reaching out and sharing their experiences which is incredible and humbling to see”.
Following the Torulf saga, Torulf plans to create more concept albums. He says “I have many ideas that are brewing, many dreams and experiences to express musically. I intend to continue this path of bringing electronic and European ethnic instruments together in such a way that builds the sound I am harnessing. With dense and mesmeric atmospheres filled with electronic and folk instruments that bring the listener on a story”.
For new listeners to Torulf’s music he suggests “I suppose I would ask to have an open mind. If you like electronic music then it’ll be a bit different from what you are used to. If you like this new wave of nordic neofolk/dark folk music then it’ll be a bit different from what you are used to as well. Perhaps don’t try at first to put it in a ‘genre box’ until after you’ve had a few listens. What I aim for is weaving together sounds, aesthetics, instruments, in a way that will hopefully entice you and bring you along. One more thing! If you like a song, I invite you to listen to the album from start to finish in one sitting, as the songs are written like chapters in a novel.”
