Album Notes

It has been said that Nordic music is the new Celtic music and a prime example of this is the young, exciting roots music duo known as "Dram". Since the beginning, Dram has gained international reputation as guardians and renewers of the rich treasure trove of Swedish traditional music. The musicians Erik Ask-Upmark and Anna Rynefors are both "riksspelman" ("Official Master Musicians of the Realm", the finest honor bestowed upon a performer of traditional music in Sweden). Dram conjures forth sounds drawing upon both medieval and contemporary roots, aiming to innovate as well as pass along an ancient tradition.

Dram's choice of instruments also underlines the Celtic similarities: Some are well-known like the harp and the bagpipe, while others - the keyed fiddle, "Nyckelharpa" - are exclusively Nordic. The bagpipe is a traditional Swedish version with a haunting tone, quite different from its more famous Scottish namesake. Dram takes its name from a Swedish dialect word for "drone", a typical feature of all bagpipes.

All these instruments and more are featured on this critically acclaimed CD, a few reviews of which follow here:

"Dram has re-awakened ancient drone music with bagpipes and harp, to a very exciting result. A symbiosis of all that was and is which I can't help but simply love!" - Groove.se

"It is with joy that I hear the clarity with which the two musicians takes on the task to display the full width of the bagpipe and the harp in a folk music perspective. They are doing something very important for Nordic folk music. They show a forgotten tradition and let it once more play a creative part in traditional music." - Dagensskiva.com

"A record with unbelievably dense atmosphere, created with so few instruments. Highly recommended!" - Der Hörspiegel

"Finally - a Swedish folk music CD with great traditional worth, yet very contemporary and most enthralling to the listener. It is obvious from their energetic and emotional performance that Erik Ask-Upmark and Anna Rynefors are thoroughbred musicians, in complete control of their instruments." - Online Music Magazine

Erik Ask-Upmark and Anna Rynefors both studied music in Gothenburg before embarking on professional careers as musicians. Some of their other projects include the folk quartet "Svanevit" with the CD "Gryning", medieval ensemble "Falsobordone" with the CD "Figs, fiddles and fine play: a musical taste of the 14th century" and guest appearances with the international minstrel's group Wolgemut (latest CD: "Memento"). All of these CD's are available at CDBaby.com!

Dram tours extensively both in Sweden and abroad. Their next major tour takes place on the US West Coast in November/December and some of the cities they will perform in are San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Jose, Eugene, Portland and Seattle. For a complete and updated tour schedule please visit "www.draam.com"!