#39 - Einar Selvik of Wardruna (Live at CU Boulder)

In this co-sponsored event between ByNorse and the University of Colorado Boulder's Ethnomusicology and Nordic Studies departments, Einar joins Jameson in front of a live audience to talk about the animist cosmology behind Wardruna's music, what animism means to Einar, how Wardruna's music has (or hasn't) changed over time, and an inevitable deep discussion about questions of authenticity and reconstructionism often nagging the reception of Wardruna's music. The interview concludes with a thought-provoking conversation regarding the bear, the namesake of Wardruna's upcoming record "Birna", and how Wardruna's music continues its mission to ask questions and give voice to nature and the ecological problems we face today.

Being live, and with the Nordic Sound being very DIY, there are some inevitable imperfections in the audio quality. Thank you for listening!

0:00 Intro
2:50 Red Rocks
6:18 Being a Cultural Ambassador
10:20 How has Wardruna changed over time?
15:13 Any lasting influence from Einar's heavy metal background?
17:04 The Animism of Wardruna
22:49 Animism in Nordic cultural heritage
25:40 Reconstructionism and Authenticity
38:31 Birna
47:44 Q+A

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