Astrid Swan

Can music engender sorrow or comfort? Is there (a) space for grief? Emmi Kuittinen, who delves into the world of traditional laments and folk poetry for inspiration, and musician/scholar Astrid Swan, who studies grief as a personal and a transgenerational phenomenon, make music out of grief that is not as sad as one might expect.

"With bands like Nightwish, Children of Bodom and HIM out there, it’s no surprise the image of Finland as a metal country persists. There are many other areas where this demographically tiny country of five million and change punches above its weight, but one of the most interesting genres right now is indie rock."