Swedish trio VIDAR is releasing the previously unheard “Freja” on 10 November, ahead of its self-titled album’s 10th Anniversary Edition on 27 November. The song is the first single from the expanded release and comes from the recording sessions that produced the group’s debut. Originally set aside for a planned second album, it now reaches listeners through a different route: that follow-up was never made.
The group began when its three members were young teenagers in the forests of Värmland. Maija Hardorp sings and plays guitar; Tuva Hardorp contributes vocals, bass and accordion; Emmy Deivert sings and plays drums and percussion, with piano also listed among her album credits. All three share the songwriting credits, and BMG Chrysalis Scandinavia is credited as publisher.
Their music draws on folk within an indie-pop framework, with vocal harmonies and an instrumental combination that gives accordion and percussion prominent roles alongside acoustic guitar. British outlet Toomanyblogs located the group’s affinity with traditional American folk in its warm arrangements and layered singing, describing those features as central to its sound.
A significant early appearance came in 2012, when Paul Simon was in Stockholm to receive the Polar Music Prize and heard the musicians at the ceremony’s private VIP party. His response was emphatic: “You are GREAT!” Other listeners included Max Martin, First Aid Kit and Yo-Yo Ma, who also offered an endorsement: “Talk about great performers!”
The performance was followed by a debut recording at Dreamland Recording Studios in Woodstock, New York, with Anna Ternheim producing and Adam Armstrong recording. Ternheim described the act as “three girls singing like angels”. Claes Olson served as executive producer. The track comes from these sessions.
Visitors to the studio included John Sebastian of the Lovin’ Spoonful, drummer Jerry Marotta and the Band’s Garth Hudson. Hudson told the group: “We need your music... Nobody else is doing what you are doing!”
Andreas Dahlbäck handled additional recording at Durango Recording and mixed the material. Magnus Lindberg mastered it.
In its assessment published on 27 april 2016, Dagens Nyheter considered comparisons with the other Swedish harmony-led act mentioned above inevitable, but judged this trio’s vocal part-writing even more refined.
Journalist Jan Gradvall recalled witnessing a powerful performance of “Kathy’s Song” directly in front of its writer. Elsewhere, Freak Magnet praised the atmospheric harmonies and acoustic guitars, while Kultursidan.nu singled out an uncanny quality in the music and voices.
Emmylou Harris asked: “Do you have a tape or something? I want to sign you to my record label!” Tomas Ledin also publicly praised the group.
