Sorten Muld

Sorten Muld
Origin	Århus, Denmark
Genres	Folktronica
Years active	1995–present
Labels	Northside Records
Members	Ulla Bendixen Martin Ottesen Henrik Munch

Sorten Muld is a Danish folktronica band, formed in 1995. They have won two Danish Grammys for Mark II. The English translation of Sorten Muld is Black Soil (or Dark Ground).

Their music can be characterized by elegantly composed rhythms, floating sound of typical folk-instruments like bagpipes, flutes and violins, in an electronica-composition that supports the dramatic lyrics. Some tracks on Mark II are up-beat with only few lyrics and could also be characterized as dance or techno. A music critic on the US National Public Radio network described Ulla Bendixen's voice as "...a sensuous whisper cajoling you to listen, even if you don't understand Danish."

The lyrics are old stories from Danish folk tradition, about jealousy, murder, mythology and creatures. In Kirstin from Mark II a father serves his daughter a meal of her boyfriend's heart. In Ulver from III a man takes his girlfriend into the forest to kill and bury her. He falls asleep and she cuts him into pieces with his own sword.

Sorten Muld has also published a concept album called Jord, Luft, Ild, Vand (Earth, Air, Fire, Water) – a mostly instrumental journey through the classic elements. The album is a reworked recording of music commissioned by da:DGI for a gymnastics show on Bornholm.^[1] It was self-published and was only available to buy from their website.

After this album the group disappeared from the public eye, but in April/May 2011 they performed 3 concerts in Denmark,^[2] and again in 2012 at Tønder Festival.^[3] and in 2014

Members

• Ulla Bendixen – vocals
• Martin Ottosen – musician-architect
• Henrik Munch – electronics

(all after this point appear on III only)

• Søren Bendixen – guitar
• Harald Haugaard – viola, violin, hurdy-gurdy
• Johannes Hejl – double bass
• Niels Kilele – percussion
• Tommy Nissen – drums
• Martin Seeberg – bagpipe, flute, Jewish harp

Discography

Albums

• Sorten Muld (1996)
• Mark II (1997)
• III (2000)
• Jord, Luft, Ild, Vand (2002)

Singles

• "Ravnen" (1997)
• "Ravnen" (1997) (alternative cover/track list)
• "Bonden og Elverpigen" (1997)
• "Som Stjernerne på Himlens blå" (1997)
• "Venelite" (1998)
• "Mylardatter" (1998)
• "Vølven" (2000)

External links

• Official Site
• Information from Northside
• Vilden Ø – Unofficial Site (Danish)

References

1. Jeppesen, Lars Löbner (17 July 2002). "Sorten Muld udgiver soundtrack". Gaffa.dk (in Danish). GAFFA. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
2. Børjesen, Jesper Rise (1 April 2011). "Sorten Muld tager på pilot-tour". Gaffa.dk (in Danish). GAFFA. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
3. Kloppenborg, Sten (25 August 2012). "Sorten Muld - Tønder Festival 2012, Open Air Scenen, fredag d. 24. august 2012 http://www.sortenmuld.dk/". Gaffa.dk (in Danish). GAFFA. Retrieved 29 June 2013. External link in |title= (help)