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Frigg

Venue: The Atkinson
Town: Southport
Date: 21/11/14
Website: http://frigg.fi/

Frigg In Fantastic Finnish Fiddle Fest !

I couldn't resist writing that headline after attending a wonderful show by seven piece Finnish "Nordgrass" band Frigg at The Atkinson.

Frigg [the name of the Norse goddess of love and fertility] were making a return visit to Southport after a triumphant show last year but this time the size of the audience had tripled, mainly as the result of word-of-mouth reports from those who attended the first time.

What, you may ask, is "Nordgrass"? Well, it is a concept unique to Frigg, which combines Nordic Folk [from Finland, Norway and Sweden]with American Bluegrass. Imagine, if you will, the Appalachians being relocated in Western Finland.

Not having seen Frigg before, I was hugely impressed by the power of the music. Their front line consists of four virtuoso violin players [Esko Jarvela, Alina Jarvela, Tero Hyvaluoma and Tommi Asplund], whilst the powerhouse rhythm section comprises Tuomas Logren [guitar], Petri Prauda [mandolin and cittern] and Antti Jarvela [double bass]. Together they make a wonderful noise, switching between high-energy, full force fiddle attack to pastoral chamber-folk, usually within the space of one set of tunes.

You will have noticed that three of the band [Esko, Alina and Antti ] share the same surname. This because they all come from the famous Jarvela family of Kaustinen in Ostrobothnia. They are, in fact, the fourth generation of fiddle players in their family.

Frigg recently released a retrospective compliation CD of tracks from their five studio albums plus some new tracks. It was from this album [ "Timeline"] that the bulk of tonight's setlist was taken, beginning with Antti's energetic "Jokijenkka" [or "Riverdance"] which showcased the band's stunning four-fiddle wall of sound. Equally lively was "Cross-Country" by Esko and Gjermund Larsen [who formerly played violin with the band ]. This bluegrass/polka hoedown came complete with whoops and hollers and got the audience clapping along to the infectious rhythm.

By way of contrast, this toe-tapper was followed by the beautiful "Keidas - Oasis"by Petri Prauda. This gorgeous piece stared out as a piece of homework for Petri when studying at the Sibelius Academy and developed from an academic exercise [harmonic progression] into a stunning piece of chamber-folk, complete with choral section, which the band recreated on stage. This was a stunning performance by a group of supremely talented musicians.

Also from "Timeline" was Antti's humorous "Economy Class" which he wrote, you've guessed it, on a plane. This tune twists and turns like an eel and features some bewildering changes of time signature, which made it almost impossible to clap along to. The humour was reinforced by the band's comedy rock star poses.

For quirky tune-titles it would be difficult to beat "Potatisvals/Takomistanssi/Hesuksen Viiksivalssi" which [I think] translates as "Potato Waltz/ Blacksmith's Dance/ Hesuk's Moustache". The first section is an intensely rhythmic piece which was written by Swedish bouzouki player Ale Moller which leads into a sweetly melodic waltz by Pasi Porvari before ending with Antti's faster tune, which had the band swaying in unison , like a crazy Nordic version of The Shadows.

"Norsken" [Norwegian person] by Swedish Professor Sven Ahlback was given the full Frigg treatment - driving rhythms with the four violinists soaring [sawing ?] over the top. Great stuff!

The final tune of the set was a sprightly jig called "Fjig" [a combination of Frigg and jig ] paired with "Bussen" [Bus] which built up to a mighty finale, which had the audience baying for more.

Of course, they got more, with the Cajun-flavoured "Polka International de Louisiana" which ended a fabulous show.

This was a thrilling performance from start to Finnish and the audience Lapped it up!

Peter Cowley

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