New Mountain Music
New Mountain Music is a folk music trio based in Umeå that has been playing together for over 20 years. The trio plays toe-tapping traditional American bluegrass music, as well as old-time and gospel songs in a bluegrass style. Even old hits are sometimes played in a bluegrass style. The trio offers singing with harmony, which is an important part of bluegrass music.
It wouldn't be a bluegrass band without a 5-string banjo and Thord Söderberg can easily be considered one of Sweden's best banjo players! Thord was immediately taken by bluegrass music when he heard Flatt & Scruggs on the radio just over 50 years ago. Since then, the banjo has been his main instrument. Thord also plays mandolin and guitar and has composed many fine tunes and written several songs.
A bluegrass band must also have a good standup bass player, and Helén Norberg gallantly fills that role. Helén also plays guitar, harmonica, violin and accordion and sings second part on most of the songs. Amazingly, she can play harmonica and standup bass at the same time - and it's really something to see and hear! Helén has more than 50 years of experience as a musician and has also composed many tunes.
It takes a skilled guitar player to give bluegrass music its captivating character. It is Peggy Sjöström who fills that function while also singing lead on most of the songs. During the band’s performance, Peggy usually plays at least one tune on her hammered dulcimer – an instrument that is very unusual for Swedes. Peggy has been playing folk music in various forms for over 55 years, of which the last 20 years have also included Swedish folk music in two folk music orchestras.
Thord Söderberg, from Skellefteå, plays banjo, mandolin, and guitar.
Helén Norberg, from Gotland, plays standup bass, violin, harmonica, accordion and sings.
Peggy Sjöström, from Michigan, USA, plays guitar, hammered dulcimer and sings.