Artist appreciation series - Pt. 9: Thomas von Wachenfeldt

For the ninth edition of Nordvis' artist appreciation series, we present Thomas von Wachenfeldt of Bards of Skaði – who released their debut album, “Glysisvallur”, last year.

Photo: Thomas von Wachenfeldt

I grew up in Bergsjö, Hälsingland, in one of Northern Sweden's most archaeologically rich areas, mainly dating from the Migration Period. In our backyard, there was a burial ground from around the 500s, which inspired imaginative play and simultaneously sparked a strong interest in history.

Photo: Mikael Åström

During my teenage years, I found my path into extreme heavy metal through the likes of Metallica and Slayer. Bands such as Bathory, Dissection, and Entombed became significant sources of inspiration for my burgeoning music career. Besides extreme metal, my youth was characterised by outdoor life in the forests of Hälsingland

Photo: Thomas von Wachenfeldt

The folk elements in Scandinavian black metal inspired me to delve into Swedish folk music and, subsequently, classical music. This led me to start playing the violin, which I, along with composition, studied for seven years.

Photo: Thomas von Wachenfeldt

After many years as a violin and music teacher, I earned my PhD in 2015 and have been working in academia as a teacher and researcher in musicology, audiovisual studies, and pedagogy since 2009. However, my base remains in Gränsfors, just outside my childhood village of Bergsjö.

Photo: Thomas von Wachenfeldt

Photo: Thomas von Wachenfeldt

Here, I find my intellectual and spiritual nourishment in what the forest and land offer, as well as through building preservation, crafting, instrument making and tending chickens and bees.

Photo: Emelie Torstensson

And, just as in my youth, the forest remains my primary home.

Thomas von Wachenfeldt artist profile at Nordvis: https://www.nordvis.com/thomasvonwachenfeldt