The guitarist Mattias Pérez has worked as a musician with Swedish folk music as a base for 20 years. In that genre, his guitar playing has been partly shaped by the “translation” from violin to guitar, where every drill and string pattern has had to find its place, but he also brings with him expressions from South American music after his father, guitarist and political refugee from Chile in in the seventies.
Guitar records have been made before, but none like this.
Translating fiddle tunes to guitar or other stringed instruments is quite common in the US in Bluegrass and Old Time. This is also a relatively common phenomenon in Celtic music.
Within Sweden and the Nordic countries, however, there are only a few albums with this theme. What Mattias does is that he weaves Nordic and South American tradition into new compositions, arrangements and new soundscapes, which is different from previous records made in this genre.
“Dear listeners,
Sometimes words are not enough. They can feel too small, too flat and too inadequate to describe a situation, a feeling or a life event. In these situations, music can fill an important place. It can describe the indescribable, give meaning to the meaningless and it can help us get through difficult moments in life. It was at such a moment that the song “Till en ängel” came about.
In addition to that song and a couple of others of my own compositions, this album mostly contains some of my favorite songs from the Nordic music treasure. Traditional violin songs translated and interpreted on my various guitars.
The love for Nordic folk music has always been deep for me. Just as deep and great is my desire and curiosity to vary, improvise and experiment beyond the fixed frameworks and traditions. And give melodies new color and form.
In my choices of instruments and playing techniques, I also let my Chilean roots take a certain place in the music.
as you probably note, It’s a lovely mess, just like life itself.
Happy listening!”
/Mattias Pérez
Recording and mixing: Mattias Pérez
Mastering: Claes Persson, CRP Recordings
Cover artwork: Rolando Pérez
Photo: Mia Marine
Layout: Jonas Brandin
Release: June 10th 2023
This album is released with support from the Swedish Arts Council.