I Belong in The Woods and Have Always
Done So (2023-2025):
“Parasitic growth.
Infestation of the soil.
Contamination of the native strands.
Wounded, haunted by history.
A landscape with almost human qualities.
The seed embodying potential.
Finding nourishment even in death and decay.
A revitalization of ancient wisdoms.
The land and its people becoming one.
A timeless reality.
Entanglement and fixation.
Sacrifice and suffering.
Fertile ground for secondary successions.
I Belong In The Woods and Have Always Done So”
A Black Metal Opera exploring historical and contemporary ideas about nature, ecology, myth, political radicalization and the relationship between art and propaganda.
Credits:
Concept, composition, research, libretto, screaming, video, foley, production, appropriation, theft, etc. by.:
Jacob Ridderberg
Performers / musicians:
K!ART
https://klart.net/
Mikkel Schou - guitars
Joss Smith - clarinets
https://www.joss-smith.co.uk/works
Rob Durnin - piano
https://www.robdurnin.com/
Tanel Eiko Novikov - percussion
https://tanelnovikov.com/
Anna Sakham Jalving - violin
https://www.annajalving.com/about
Kirsten Wilbrandt Kjær - viola
https://www.akelaquartet.com/
Kirstine Elise Pedersen - cello
https://www.kirstineelise.com/about
Thora Kidon Jaeger - double bass (studio recording)
https://www.instagram.com/thorakidonjaeger/
Brice Soniano - double bass (live performances at MINU festival & Teater Refleksion in 2024).
https://astropi.com/brice-soniano/
Live sound, studio recording and mixing:
Kristian Alexander Pedersen
Production platform, festivals & labels:
https://autdk.com/
https://minufestival.com/
https://badp.bandcamp.com/
Planning, logistics, booking, transport and way more:
Mikkel Schou
Funding:
Jacob Ridderberg, AUT, Matt Grouse & Mikkel Schou.
Festival work (MINU_FESTIVAL_FOR_EXPANDED_MUSIC_2024):
Dylan Richards & Mikkel Schou
Borrowing instruments:
Bass Clarinet Bb - Mathilde Schelin
https://www.instagram.com/mathildeschelin/
Makeup, practical help and good vibes:
Signe Heinfelt
https://www.signeheinfelt.com/
Venues & Locations:
Teater Refleksion
https://refleksion.dk/
Ku.Be
https://kube.frederiksberg.dk/
Idea development:
The environment, students and teachers surrounding my time at Det Jyske Musikkonservatorium has been a huge influence on the development of the idea. A special thanks to Matt, Dylan, Niklas, Joss, and Niels.
Photos from live performance:
Tobias Nicolai
https://www.instagram.com/tobiasnicolai/
Live video documentation by:
Spektrals.dk // Niklas Ottander
Release & promotion:
https://badp.bandcamp.com/
MINU_Festival_For_Expanded_Music
Dansk Komponistforening
Snyk
Financial support from:
Statens Kunstfond, Dansk Komponist Forening, Augustinus Fonden, Wiliam Demant Fonden, Aage og Johanne Louis-Hansens Fond, Koda Kultur, Aarhus Unge Tonekunstnere, K!ART & MINU_Festival_For_Expanded_Music.