Nordman

Nordman
Nordman on stage
Background information
Origin	Sweden
Genres	etnorock, folk rock
Years active	1994 (1994)–1998 2004–present
Website	www.nordman.nu
Members	Håkan Hemlin Mats Wester

Nordman is a Swedish duo founded in 1993, that mixes folk music with rock and pop. This genre is called etnorock or folk rock in Swedish. The group consists of Håkan Hemlin, as singer and frontman and Mats Wester, who plays the nyckelharpa as well as serving as the main songwriter..

The group's biggest hits were "Förlist" (Shipwrecked) and "Vandraren" (The Wanderer). The group split up in 1998 because of the lead singer's drug problem, but reunited in 2004. They made a comeback in the Swedish Melodifestivalen with the song "Ödet var min väg" (The fate was my way) and released a comeback album called Anno 2005 in 2005.

In 2008, they competed once again in Melodifestivalen with the song I lågornas sken and finished in sixth place behind winner Charlotte Perrelli.

His song "Vandraren" was covered by Blackmore's Night on their 2010 album Autumn Sky and by Ensiferum on their 2009 album From Afar.

Håkan Hemlin at Stockholm Pride 2015

History

1991–1993

Håkan Hemlin and Mats Wester met in a studio in Deer Park in 1991. Håkan was there with his rock band Bye Bye to record a demo to a promo-CD. Mats had for some years been experimenting with blending folk and pop and searched for a vocalist to the project. He asked Håkan if he was interested to try some, it was him. Experiments began after a few hits came the embryo of what would become the song "Förlist" (wrecked). Gradually added another demos and autumn of 1993 it was time to check if any record company wanted to do an album with the new, completely unknown group Nordman.

1994

Sonet Records showed interest and signed Nordman. Then work began on the first album. In February 1994, released first single "Förlist" (wrecked). The album was released in late April of that year. Already after four weeks, the album was recorded for gold record (at that time was 50 000 copies). The second single "The Wanderer" went straight to Sommartoppen first place, and remained there all summer. During the summer, the album also crossed the border for platinum (100 000 copies). Before the year was over they had passed the 3 x platinum. Nordman toured in Sweden, more or less nonstop for a year. Two singles were released from the album, "Laglöst land" (Lawless Land) and "Ännu glöder solen" (The sun still glows) The latter came first in the Swedish charts in early 1995.

1995–1996

Just one year after their debut album is played the second disc set. 22 November 1995 released the album "Ingenmansland" (No Man's Land). The pre-ordered in over 100 000 copies. which meant the platinum before the album was even released. The song "Be Mig" (Ask Me) became a hit on the radio. In the spring of 1996 went on a Nordman-sized ice rink-tour finale at Cirkus in Stockholm. The concert at Circus was filmed and broadcast by TV4, but were also given out in stores. The summer tour consisted of festival appearances around the country.

1997

In spring and summer of 1997 was spent writing new material for another album. Autumn 1997 was the album "Här och Nu" (Here and Now) set. It became clear later in the fall and was released in November of that year. Although this album was pre-ordered in over 100 000 copies. Thus, although the platinum. Promotional work was done during November–December. In January 1998, the Nordman takes a break.

2004–2005

It would take seven years before Håkan and Mats meet again. Their friendship was built up and eventually led to a restart of songwriting and studio work. After the summer of 2004 Håkan and Mats seriously started picking up the work of Nordman again. Bonnier Amigo became the new record company contracted group. The first official appearance was in Melodifestivalen 2005 with the song "Ödet var min väg." (Fate was my path) New album was recorded between January and April 2005. The album was released on April 27. During the summer of 2005, Nordman toured again in Sweden.

2006–2007

Nordman has gone back into the studio to write new songs for another album. During November–December 2006, Nordman toured with Julgalan Norrland. A highly acclaimed performance, in which Håkan Hemlin among other things gave us an unexpected Motown-medley with Brolle Jr., Roger Pontare and Chris Lind wearing white jackets! In the autumn of 2007 Nordman toured in clubs around Sweden. On 24 October 2007 Nordman released a new single "Du Behöver" (You Need).

2008

In early January, Nordman released the radio single "Längtan" (Longing), a duet with Jessica Anderson from the upcoming album "Djävul eller gud." (Devil or God) Nordman participated in Melodifestivalen with the song "I lågornas sken" (In light of the flames) Written by Lina Eriksson and Mårten Eriksson. In race number four in Karlskrona, March 1, Nordman became eligible to the second chance in Kiruna, which was held the following week. After an exciting game exclusion with Andreas and Carola and then Suzzie Tapper Nordman goes on to the final in Globen. In the finale, Nordman was placed creditable 6th.

2013

During a recording session at Mats home, Nordman recorded their first song to be released in English, 'Dance to the loop'. The song was first set to never be released but as they find it funny, they created a promotions video in a couple of hours and released it as a download on iTunes and stream on Spotify. A lot of fans didn't appreciate the "new" Nordman while others found it funny and new thinking.

2014

February saw the light of a new album, Patina. The album consisted of acoustic versions of some of there most famous songs, a couple old favorites and some new compositions. The line-up was Håkan Hemlin, Mats Wester, Claudia Müller (flutist) and Dani Strömbeck (pianist). During February, the quintet made a tour in Sweden from north to south, mostly playing in churches and small concert-halls.

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Singles

Featured in

References

External links

Media related to Nordman at Wikimedia Commons

• Official Website in Swedish