Stifinner – Tone Hulbækmo

Tone Hulbækmo: ‘Pathfinder’

The latest solo album by Tone Hulbækmo, «Stifinner», presents a personal musical world which is both modern and timeless at the same time. With elements of different folk musical traditions, music from the middle ages and blues, Hulbækmo has managed to create an album bypassing every genre convention and incorporate inspiration from several of her collaborative projects from all over the world – with significant help from several highly skilled musicians with their own personal musical expression.

The main musical instrument on the album is the Norwegian harp. The Norwegian harp tradition was a near extinct musical tradition, and Hulbækmo was herself the first to pick up and continue this rich tradition already on her debut album «Kåmmo no» from 1993 – an album she received the first of several Norwegian Grammys. On «Stifinner» the harp is used as a modern instrument within different genres, as a solo instrument, as accompaniment and as an ensemble instrument. Furthermore, Hulbækmo has also chosen to pursue new and original ways with her own voice, in an exploration of new vocal expressions, including rap, spoken word, declamation – in addition to traditional song. A rare and successful fusion of inspirations and musical expressions.