Hedningarna

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Hedningarna

Tracks

  1. Hedningarna (3.24)

Released at August 18th, 2023.

First release as Mudbard

Hedningarna is the first single I released. It is what got me back into making music after a long time without touching any instrument at all.
The song came from a dream I had, and l just had to move it from the imaginary to the real world. It took me quite some time and learning, but eventually I managed to get the sound and vibe of the song really close to the dream itself!

The dream

The next moment I’m back again in the room above the cafe. I’m not sure what to think about the other people here. Do I like them, or do I dislike them? I really can’t tell. They are all members of the same band and have painted white stripes with chalk all over their faces and bodies. It feels like something ancient. Pure and real.

As soon as I want to leave the room, they start making music. I decide to stay a little longer and listen to their song. They dance around in a circle while beating on wooden drums with drum heads made from animal hides on top. I love the rhythm. It keeps repeating and is mesmerizing. Hypnotic almost. With the dark sounds of throat singing they chant the word ‘Hedningarna’ to the rhythm.
I want to go and get my daughter. She really should hear this! But if I leave to get her, I’ll miss this experience.
My god, this is so beautiful! Transcendent en intense. I’m totally overwhelmed and have no other choice than to join the ritual.

Lyrics

Hedningarna hedningarna
Hedningarna hedningarna
Hedningarna hedningarna
Hedningarna hedningarna
Hedningarna hedningarna
Hedningarna hedningarna

Random facts

A couple of weeks after I dreamed the dream, I found out that the word “hedningarna” is an actual word in Swedish that roughly translates to “the pagans”.

Credits

  • Jan Szegda – vocals
  • Luuk Davidsz – guitar
  • Liza Slagt – backing vocals
  • Hangsvart – backing vocals
  • Esther Rozenboom – backing vocals
  • Akshat – bansuri
  • Arjan Brentjes – mastering engineer
  • Mudbard – music, lyrics, background vocals, drum programming, synthesizer, recording engineer, mixing engineer, producer