"Alltid du forstår meg / Jeg er lei du er der / Tung og trist du holder med, du er en del av meg / Jeg elsker deg..."
The grand rustic heaviness of "Elsker" by Gabbarein, the Nordic ethereal folk duo of Norwegian vocalist & sound healer Cecilie Hafstad and American composer & producer Christopher Bono (Ghost Against Ghost, Nous Alpha, NOUS), feels magical and ornate like a burnished forged ceremonial and deadly sword wielded by a berserker from medieval Norse folklore, at least to me. Now I don't, as you might have guessed, understand the Norsk language so all my perceptions, sonic or otherwise, is likely based on what cinematic visions I cast in my own mind colored unfortunately by my ignorance of Norwegian history and folklore and the likely bastardization of such history by Western movies (eeesh).
The sound that Gabbarein conjure up despite my ignorance is incredibly evocative nonetheless and maybe those images (left to their own devises) might be, unbeknownst to me, seeping deep into my psyche.
"Elsker" released with an accompanying Official Music Video and is from the band's self titled "Gabbarein" album.
Gabbarein singer Cecilie Hafstad shares:
“When Elsker came to me (during the recording sessions), it was later in the afternoon, Christoper was experimenting with some more pop sounding chords and I just went back to when me and my daughter used to listen to chart pop in the car on our way to school… and it morphed into me singing about her. My wonderful daughter, Isabel. I have been a single mother since Isabel was three. She and I have been on this amazing journey together, just the two of us for 17 years now. ‘Jeg elsker deg’ means ‘I love you’ in Norwegian, so this track is about my deep love for her and how incredibly supportive and wonderful she has been throughout her life. Even though it is the parent that is supposed to care for, hold and support their children, it does go both ways and our children become our teachers, healers and ‘partners in crime’. No one knows you like your child does, you grow together. I know it's a cliche but there is no love greater and my beautiful Isabel is my absolute everything, the love of my life!”
https://www.instagram.com/gabbarein
https://www.oursilentcanvas.org/
Gabbarein is the Nordic ethereal folk duo of Norwegian vocalist & sound healer Cecilie Hafstad and American composer & producer Christopher Bono (Ghost Against Ghost, Nous Alpha, NOUS). The project was born from the love and admiration Christopher had developed for Cecilie’s voice, after recording her improvisations for Ghost Against Ghost’s album, still love. Recorded on a fjord’s edge in Lyngen, Norway, no pre-written material was brought to the sessions. Christopher has a history of performing and producing improvisational music, so he was able to trust in the moment unfolding during the recording process. During the sessions, Cecilie encountered an injured White Reindeer, which remained near them the full week. She felt a special connection with the animal, certain that its presence was energizing her creativity. A local Sámi Shaman mentioned the spiritual significance of seeing a White Reindeer. They decided to name the project Gabbarein (‘white reindeer’ in Sami). 14 tracks were completed from this fertile setting. The album is built on emotive vocals framed by sensitive, sparse textures and arrangements with a variety of instrumentation including synths, mandolin, kalimba, guitars, flute, violin, percussion, and nature samples. Most of the tracks have a calming and transcendent aura, while some channel an ancient Scandinavian intensity through pounding rhythms and indigenous melodies. As a whole, Gabbarein is a moving and powerful listening experience.
From LINER NOTES:
“Elsker” evokes a peak transcendent moment on the album, written from the heart of a mother connecting to her love for her child. The uplifting, joyous tone of the track is undeniable. The video was directed by Oslo Assembly’s Lars Tovik, and is the second video from Gabbarein to feature masks from Norway’s Damselfrau, amongst performances from Cecilie and Christopher playing violin, electronics and drum.
Gabbarein singer Cecilie Hafstad shares:
“When Elsker came to me (during the recording sessions), it was later in the afternoon, Christoper was experimenting with some more pop sounding chords and I just went back to when me and my daughter used to listen to chart pop in the car on our way to school… and it morphed into me singing about her. My wonderful daughter, Isabel. I have been a single mother since Isabel was three. She and I have been on this amazing journey together, just the two of us for 17 years now. ‘Jeg elsker deg’ means ‘I love you’ in Norwegian, so this track is about my deep love for her and how incredibly supportive and wonderful she has been throughout her life. Even though it is the parent that is supposed to care for, hold and support their children, it does go both ways and our children become our teachers, healers and ‘partners in crime’. No one knows you like your child does, you grow together. I know it's a cliche but there is no love greater and my beautiful Isabel is my absolute everything, the love of my life!”
-Robb Donker Curtius
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://www.instagram.com/gabbarein
https://www.oursilentcanvas.org/
Gabbarein is the Nordic ethereal folk duo of Norwegian vocalist & sound healer Cecilie Hafstad and American composer & producer Christopher Bono (Ghost Against Ghost, Nous Alpha, NOUS). The project was born from the love and admiration Christopher had developed for Cecilie’s voice, after recording her improvisations for Ghost Against Ghost’s album, still love. Recorded on a fjord’s edge in Lyngen, Norway, no pre-written material was brought to the sessions. Christopher has a history of performing and producing improvisational music, so he was able to trust in the moment unfolding during the recording process. During the sessions, Cecilie encountered an injured White Reindeer, which remained near them the full week. She felt a special connection with the animal, certain that its presence was energizing her creativity. A local Sámi Shaman mentioned the spiritual significance of seeing a White Reindeer. They decided to name the project Gabbarein (‘white reindeer’ in Sami). 14 tracks were completed from this fertile setting. The album is built on emotive vocals framed by sensitive, sparse textures and arrangements with a variety of instrumentation including synths, mandolin, kalimba, guitars, flute, violin, percussion, and nature samples. Most of the tracks have a calming and transcendent aura, while some channel an ancient Scandinavian intensity through pounding rhythms and indigenous melodies. As a whole, Gabbarein is a moving and powerful listening experience.
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