The Faroe Islands. A land of isolation and tradition – a tiny archipelago far out in the North Atlantic between Scotland and Iceland. If you go there, you can’t fail to be inspired by its beauty, its landscape and its culture – and it has given birth to a unique type of artist. Photographer  Brian Sweeney has created a portrait of  the islands – accompanied by the thoughts of five local musicians and artists.

These artists are members of TUTL, the leading representative and distributor of Faroese music and the number one record label and music hub on the Faroe Islands. Collectively owned by musicians and composers, it is very much about safeguarding the rights and interests of its content creators, i.e. the artists. Founded in 1977 by musician and composer, Kristian Blak, TUTL’s catalogue today comprises more than 500 releases of significant national as well as international acclaim. The TUTL name derives from the same Faroese word, meaning whisper or murmur.

EIVOR Musician:  

Oh there are so many beautiful places that I love going to in The Faroe Islands. Places like Mykines, Mikladalur and many more, but I think my favourite one would be the little village Gøta where I grew up. That place always brings me a peace that I can´t find elsewhere. The nature and landscape of my home is something that resonates very deep within me and I think it naturally becomes part of the music I write. I have always felt inspired by the contrasts of the nature up there - the endless light in the summer and the soft and dreamy landscape, and then the endless darkness and harshness of the stormy winters.

http://www.eivor.com/ 

HEDIN Artist

Faroe Islands are tilting. South East has gentle green slopes that gradually enter the ocean. North West has steep black rock that plunge directly into the ocean. After almost 25 years of music making, I see my music representing how the Faroe’s appear from the ocean from different directions. If I’m looking from the south east I can see/hear some of my softer material and if I look from the north west I can see/hear my harder material. During these 25 years, I have tried to define my musical style whilst being true to my musical urge. Meaning not being tied down by definition. Now I see myself circling the islands, occasionally glancing at them and depending from what direction I see them, a different vision, a different sound appears. 

FRUM Musician

This is where I seek refuge. Here I come for comfort and inspiration. Before any big decision I come here, and I come here to grieve and to celebrate. This place, more than any other place, reminds me how everything is the universe expressing itself.

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCJSvolrr1iQFAJUF5IjEreA 

TRYGVI Hip hop artist 

A short poem/text: Silvurdrongur is the silver kid, a middle-aged soul in a young man’s oddly shaped body. Writer of riddles, spitter of skittles, the loner who whittles and whittles away. He never forgets to remember today.

https://open.spotify.com/album/6QJoBA92JklUEwQElcQpmb?si=OYqUTDzWR3ySfZ-h2bBY6A