Folk och Rackare
| Company type | Ensemble / Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Founder | Carin Kjellman, Ulf Gruvberg |
| Defunct | 1986 |
| Fate | Disbanded; reunited in 1996, 2017, and 2025 |
| Headquarters | Gothenburg , Sweden |
Area served | Sweden, Norway, Europe |
Key people | Carin Kjellman, Ulf Gruvberg, Jørn Jensen, Trond Villa |
| Products | Folk rock music albums, live performances |
| Website | folkocrackare |
Folk och Rackare is a Swedish-Norwegian folk rock ensemble primarily active between 1972 and 1986, with subsequent reunions occurring in 1996, 2017, and 2025. Linked to the progg movement, they carved out a unique position within a landscape largely dominated by instrumental spelmansmusik by emphasizing vocal traditions, particularly medieval ballads, drawing inspiration from the British folk rock scene. A highlight includes their appearance at Aarhus Alter Fest on September 12, 2025.
History
The band was established in 1972 by Carin Kjellman (born 1950) and Ulf Gruvberg (born 1946) while both were pursuing musicology studies at the University of Gothenburg. Their first joint performance took place at the 1970 Västervik folk festival. Their 1974 release, Med rötter i medeltiden ("With Roots in the Middle Ages"), was issued under their individual names. The self-titled 1976 album Folk och Rackare featured contributions from guest artists Kalle Almlöf, Jonny Soling, and Jørn Jensen. Soon after, Jensen and Trond Villa, members of the Norwegian group Folque, became permanent additions, solidifying the band’s Swedish-Norwegian core—a distinctive formation within the market.
Influenced strongly by British folk rock pioneers such as Fairport Convention and Pentangle, Folk och Rackare pursued comparable traditional repertoire sourced from Swedish archives. Despite initial doubts regarding potential commercialization of folk heritage, their focus remained almost entirely on authentic traditional songs, innovating by merging different sources and composing new melodies. By the late 1970s, their international profile expanded through performances at various European folk festivals.
The 1981 album Stjärnhästen ("The Star Horse") showcased traditional Christmas and Saint Stephen's Day tunes, including Swedish adaptations of "Saint Stephen and Herod." Their final record, Rackbag (1985), introduced new members Affe (Alf) Byberg on drums, Olle Westbergh on keyboards, Micke Jahn on electric guitar, alongside guest artist Richard Thompson. Nonetheless, these lineup changes heightened internal strain and financial burdens, complicating bookings and ultimately leading to the group’s disbandment.
Legacy
Following the band's dissolution, Kjellman released a solo album through Amalthea, shifting her style toward rock influences rather than pure folk. Kjellman, Jensen, and Gruvberg each moved into careers in radio production; notably, Gruvberg produced Hedningarna's acclaimed album Kaksi!.
Folk och Rackare reunited for festival appearances in Denmark and Sweden in 1996 and returned again in 2017 for a performance at Norrbostämman. Although a planned 2020 tour was delayed due to the pandemic, it recommenced in April 2022.
The band has left a lasting mark on modern Swedish folk music, serving as an inspiration for groups like Garmarna, Ranarim, and the folk singer Lena Willemark.
Discography
- Med rötter i medeltiden (1974), credited to Carin Kjellman & Ulf Gruvberg
- Folk och rackare (1976)
- Rackarspel (1978)
- Anno 1979 (1979)
- Stjärnhästen (1981)
- Rackbag (1985)
- 1976–1985 (1996), compilation
References
- Folk och rackare at progg.se (Swedish) (archived 2012 via the Internet Archive)
- Carin Kjellman featured on Sveriges Radio P2 (Swedish)
- Album booklet for 1976–1985
- Folk & Rackare entry in the online edition of Nationalencyklopedin (Swedish)