Nordic drone music

The bagpipe is perhaps not overly associated with Sweden, but the "säckpipa" has been played there for a very long time indeed and has experienced a popular revival over the last few decades, not the least thanks to the work of groups such as "Dråm". "Dråm" means simply "drone" in a Swedish dialect, an apt name for this talented duo with its fresh and unique take on Nordic music. The musicians, Erik Ask-Upmark and Anna Rynefors, have both received the prestigious Zorn award and the title of "Riksspelman" ("Official master musician") for their playing and exposure of the Swedish bagpipes.

Joining the duo for the Festival is acclaimed bouzouki player Bert Deivert, one of the first musicians in Sweden to adopt Irish bouzouki playing to Swedish folk music back in the 70s, when he moved to Sweden from the United States.

Apart from the Swedish pipes, Dråm's other instruments include different Swedish folk whistles and the rather unusual Nyckelharpa, a unique Swedish keyed fiddle that never fails to fascinate! Performances with Dråm have so far taken them all over Europe and they regularly tour the United States as well.

The quietness of Sweden's wide open spaces shows through in Dråm's wonderful flow of ear-caressing musical sounds, where the mellowness of the Swedish pipes blends perfectly with the sonorous qualities of the harp and Nyckelharpa. The music itself is an exciting and ever-changing mix of slow airs, beautiful songs and energetic dance tunes.