I use this as a reminder that my production has gotten infinitely better (I made this at age 16 when I was starting out)

Something

High (demo)

Latex (ft. Julia Fox)

This track concerns the medieval Swedish transhumance (farming) culture and the patriarchal remodelling of the dairy industry which subsequently made matriarchal summer farms obsolete, as well as the traditions belonging to them. Primarily this included Kulning, which was a practice used by women to communicate over vast distances, and similarly to herd their livestock, and bravely ward off predators. I wrote this track to honour these women, as the notion of these summer farms (Fäbodar) represents female liberation in a time where it was virtually unheard of. 

Matriarchal subculture pockets within an overwhelmingly patriarchal medieval society perhaps seem as though they’d be rare, especially alongside phenomena of the time such as conduct books (sexist written works detailing how women should behave, look, abstain from masculine activities, etc). Considering this, and the fact that women were not permitted true autonomy and authority in mainstream western culture, dairy work in medieval Scandinavia was in fact seen as respected, laborious women’s work and men were not permitted to do it. This meant that summer farms were entirely comprised of women and a served as a unique respite from patriarchal society. 

There is little discussion about why there are so few Kulning practitioners today. Those practitioners who do remain, generally sing kula songs passed down generationally or those they have constructed independently. The nature of Kulning, comparatively to mainstream choral singing of the time, scientifically has been demonstrated as a more liberated and powerful style of singing physically; likely attributed to the freedom from watchful eyes they experienced when away on the Fäbod.

No Womans Land

I wrote this track wanting to convey utmost sincerity,  taking inspiration from the loss of Julia Fox’s greatest friend, Gianna Valdes. In her autobiography ‘Down The Drain’, Julia describes the impact Gianna had, and very much still has on her life. For an assessed piece of work I wrote this and my other track titled ‘Latex’, utilising experimental songwriting techniques, as I wanted to demonstrate my understanding of the multidimensionality of Julia Fox. My intention primarily  with writing these songs was to honour the vulnerability of her writing, and simultaneously her truly iconic candid, and unapologetically funny nature. I feel a personal connection to the way Julia recounts her experience of female friendship and was compelled to interpret her words as best as I could. I hope you enjoy this track, and that maybe Julia hears it one day. 

Rest in peace, Gianna Valdes.

IMMY BLOMST

Popular tracks