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Nordman | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Sweden |
| Genres | neo folk rock |
| Years active | 1994 (1994)–1998 2004–present |
| Members | Håkan Hemlin Mats Wester |
| Website | www |
Nordman is aSwedish duo founded in 1993, that mixes folk music with rock and pop. This genre is calledetnorock orfolk rock in Swedish. The group consists of Håkan Hemlin, as singer and frontman, and Mats Wester, who plays thenyckelharpa, 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 SwedishMelodifestivalen with the song "Ödet var min väg" (Fate was my way) and released a comeback album calledAnno 2005 in 2005. In 2008, they competed once again inMelodifestivalen with the song "I lågornas sken" and finished in sixth place behind winnerCharlotte Perrelli. Nordman's song "Vandraren" was covered byBlackmore's Night on their 2010 albumAutumn Sky and byEnsiferum on their 2009 albumFrom Afar.
Hemlin andWester met in a studio in Hjorthagen in 1991. Hemlin was there with his rock bandBye Bye to record a demo to a promo-CD. Wester had for some years been experimenting with blending folk and pop and searched for a vocalist to the project. He asked Hemlin if he was interested to try some, and he was. Experiments began after a few hits came theembryo 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.[1]
Sonet Records showed interest and signed Nordman.[1] 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 toSommartoppen's first place, and remained there all summer. During the summer, the album also crossed the border for platinum (100 000 copies).[2] Nordman toured inSweden, 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 peaked at number one on the Swedish Singles Chart in 1995.
Just one year after their debut album, on 22 November 1995, the band released their second album,Ingenmansland (No Man's Land). The album was pre-ordered in over 100 000 copies, meaning it was certified platinum before it was even released. The song "Be Mig" (Ask Me) became a hit on the radio. In the spring of 1996, Nordman performed atCirkus arena in Stockholm. The concert was filmed and broadcast byTV4 and was subsequently released in stores as aVHS. The summer tour consisted of festival appearances around the country.[1][3]
Spring and summer of 1997 were spent writing material for another album. Autumn 1997 was the albumHär och nu (Here and Now) set.[clarification needed] It was finished later in the fall and was released in November of that year. LikeIngenmansland, the album was pre-ordered in over 100 000 copies, and thus certified platinum. Promotional work was done during November–December. In January 1998, Nordman took a break.
It would be seven years before Hemlin and Wester met again. Their friendship was built up and eventually led to a restart of songwriting and studio work. After the summer of 2004 Hemlin and Wester seriously started picking up the work of Nordman again.Bonnier Amigo became the new record company to contract the group. The first official appearance was inMelodifestivalen 2005 with the song "Ödet var min väg" (Fate was my path).[4] A new album was recorded between January and April 2005. The album was released on 27 April 2005. During the summer of 2005, Nordman toured again in Sweden.[1]
Nordman went 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 performed an unexpectedMotown-medley withBrolle Jr.,Roger Pontare andChris 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).
In early January, Nordman released the radio single "Längtan" (Longing), a duet withJessica Anderson from the upcoming albumDjävul eller gud (Devil or God). Nordman participated in Melodifestivalen with the song "I lågornas sken" (In light of the flames), written byLina Eriksson andMårten Eriksson.[5][6] In race number four inKarlskrona, March 1, Nordman became eligible to thesecond chance round inKiruna, which was held the following week. After a game exclusion with Andreas andCarola and then Suzzie Tapper, Nordman went on to the finale inGloben. In the finale, Nordman finished in sixth place.[7]
During a recording session at Wester's 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 the duo found it funny, they created a promotional video in a couple of hours and released it as a download on iTunes and for streaming on Spotify.[8][1][9][10]
February saw the light of a new album,Patina. The album consisted of acoustic versions of some of the band's most famous songs, a couple old favorites and some new compositions. The line-up was Håkan Hemlin, Mats Wester, Claudia Müller (flutist) andDani Strömbeck (pianist). During February, The line-up subsequently made a tour in Sweden from north to south, mostly playing in churches and small concert-halls.
Nordman is on hiatus while they both have their own projects. Mats conducts a world tour withJoe Bonamassa as part of the band.
The new single "Glöm det som var" is released and is followed up with an album, "Tänk om". The band also celebrates 25 years and gives two anniversary concerts in December.
Nordman is once again on hiatus due to the pandemic.
Nordman takes part of the Swedish realityshowSå mycket bättre and release new singles. New tour is set in spring 2023 and also their third participation inMelodifestivalen 2023 in february 2023
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Translation of title | Peak positions | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWE [11] | ||||
| 1994 | Nordman | 1 | ||
| 1995 | Ingenmansland | No Man's Land | 1 | |
| 1997 | Här och nu | Here and Now | 5 | |
| 2005 | Anno 2005 | Year 2005 | 8 | |
| 2008 | Djävul eller Gud | Devil or God | 3 | |
| 2010 | Korsväg | Crossroad | 8 | |
| 2014 | Patina | Patina | 34 | |
| 2019 | Tänk om | What If | 8 [13] |
Compilation albums
| Year | Album | Translation of title | Peak positions | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWE [11] | ||||
| 2001 | Nordmans bästa – I vandrarens spår | Best of Nordman – In the Wanderer's Footprints | 36 | |
| 2004 | Bästa | Best of | – | |
| 2004 | Pärlor(collection) | Pearls | – |
Singles are adapted fromSpotify.[14]
| Year | Single | Peak positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWE [11] | |||
| 1994 | "Förlist" | 5 | Nordman |
| "Vandraren" | 7 | ||
| "Laglöst land" | 40 | ||
| 1995 | "Ännu glöder solen" | – | Ingenmansland |
| "Be mig" | 12 | ||
| 1996 | "På mossen" | – | |
| "Det sista du ser" | – | ||
| "Live-singel" | – | ||
| 1997 | "Se dig själv" | – | Här och nu |
| 1998 | "Hjälp mig att leva" | 26 | |
| 2005 | "Ödet var min väg" | 10 | Anno 2005 |
| "Allt eller ingenting" | – | ||
| 2007 | "Du behöver" | 6 | Djävul eller Gud |
| "I lågornas sken" | 6 | ||
| 2008 | "Hon är redan här" | – | |
| 2008 | "Om Gud var jag" | 6 | Korsväg |
| 2013 | "Dance to the loop" | – | Non-album singles |
| 2016 | "Vår igen" | – | |
| "Tagga ner" | – | ||
| "Tiden har talat" | – | ||
| "Hallelujah" | – | ||
| 2017 | "Dag och natt" | – | |
| 2019 | "Glöm Det som Var" | – | Tänk om |
| "Trasiga själar (Radio Edit)" | – | Non-album singles | |
| 2022 | "Vi kan vinna" | –[A] | |
| 2023 | "Släpp alla sorger" | 7 [16] |
Featured in
| Year | Single | Peak positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWE [11] | |||
| 2007 | "Livet som en värsting" (Rastegar feat. Nordman) | 6 |
Media related toNordman at Wikimedia Commons
| International | |
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| Artists | |
