RATATOSK
The Finnish folk music band Ratatosk was founded in 2013 as a small ensemble, and all of the six
members joined 2014 when they started performing together on a more regular basis. All members
of Ratatosk have different musical backgrounds. Some have classical training, others are jazz
musicians, and others have played in blues, rock or punk bands.

Ratatosk’s genre could be
described as nordic folk music with influences from rock, classical music, medieval music, jazz and
many other styles. We perform old folk melodies and medieval church songs, and our own newly
written material. We perform mostly in Swedish (since the members are from Swedish speaking
areas of Finland), but we also have songs in Finnish and Latin on the repertoire.


The name Ratatosk comes from Nordic mythology. Ratatosk is the name of a squirrel who runs
along the branches of the life tree Yggdrasil. Ratatosk brings messages from the giant Eagle
Hräsvelg, sitting on the highest top of the tree, to the ancient dragon Nidhögg who is chewing on
the deepest root, and to everyone in between. The squirrel thereby has got access to all different
worlds. The band chose to call ourself Ratatosk, since we mix music from different musical worlds.
It is also a statement for a multicultural society.

MEMBERS

Ratatosk consists of:

Frank Berger - vocals, hurdy gurdy, harmonium and jaw harp

Jonathan Fagerström - drums

Jennie Högberg - recorder, crumhorn

Simon Karlsson - guitar, harmonium

Matilda Nordström - bass

Cecilia Åminne - vocals, harmonium and jaw harp
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Buy the latest release here: http://ratatosk.bandcamp.com

Ratatosk is originally a mischievous squirrel from Norse mythology, but in this context is some guy called Rhodri Viney.

He has previously performed and released music under the names Teflon Monkey and Broken Leaf, along with being a major player in bands such as Right Hand Left Hand and Vito. He has also played live and on record with Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci, Sophia, The Secret Show, Brave Captain, Cymbient, Little My and others far too numerous to mention.

The music of Ratatosk can be summed up in two words – miserablism and minimalism. If the initial motif is sufficiently sad and melancholy to bring a tear to the eye, then it’s explored and expanded upon with an almost zen-like repetition, using layered guitars, vocals, keyboards, melodica, musical saw, zither and pedal steel.

Read more: http://www.myspace.com/ratatoskisnow#ixzz0wbFAdune
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