In 2020 there was a new genre born, especially on YouTube, called “Bardcore”. Some people would call it medieval inspired music, or folklore music.
The main aspect is the focus on traditional acoustic instruments from all over the world. This kind of music seem to truly speak to our deeper emotions, straight into our very soul. Perhaps because it is so “raw” and honest, compared to modern music productions.
One of my favorite albums in this genre was made by Devel Sullivan and Jirka Hájek in 2020, called “Tales of Old – Two Worlds”. Now in 2022 the sequel to this album is coming as a solo album by Devel Sullivan. It is called “Tales of Old – Over The Battlefield”.
In this article I have had the pleasure of interviewing Devel, and get him to share some behind the scenes insights on the creation and vision of this album.
1. Hello Devel, what inspired you to start making music in this style?
Hi! Well, I am pretty sure that it all began with the soundtrack from Witcher 3. I remember instantly falling in love with the combination of intense cinematic/game soundtrack music and folk music → traditional instruments. But I’ve never thought about doing that myself. One day I found out that my friend Jirka Hájek is collecting traditional folk instruments and he is writing short tracks with them. And I liked the music he made with it.
One day, I asked him if he could send me a single track of one of his songs so I could “remix” it in the cinematic style. (The track is called Baeltaine and it’s still on YouTube and on my first album “The Beginnings'”). Then I asked for another because I loved working on Baeltaine. (That one was “lmatar”)
By the time I was remaking the third one, I already had the idea of doing an album with Jirka with original songs that we would write together. And that’s where my passion for this style began. I remember that about a year later, someone referred to me as that Viking composer (even though the style is not exactly Viking) and I realized that I would like to embrace it.
2. Can you list all real instruments you have used in this album, and why you have chosen each one?
Tagelharpa, Bass Tagelharpa, Longneck Saz (Baglama), Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar, Soprano recorder, Tenor recorder, Irish whistle, Irish low whistle, kalimba, shaman drum, shakers and my voice. And why? Because those are all the instruments that I currently have. The more instruments I have, the more I will use, because I really enjoy the diversity and all the different kinds of original sounds and characteristics that each instrument has.
3. How do you make your music, what is your creative workflow?
I like to think about it as about a journey. With each song, I feel like I am at the start of a trip and I have no idea where it leads me. I don’t really think about it. I just go forward and I am always excited to find out where it’ll lead me. I do not follow certain rules or paths. I don’t think about: “Should I do this instead of this?” I experiment and learn with every song.
Recently, I got a comment on a certain song that I should have done something differently in that song. (No need to be specific) And maybe they were right, but it’s where the path took me. With custom music it’s different because I need to follow the directions from directors or clients, but with my tracks I enjoy the mystery of not knowing what I will do next.
4. Do you have any tips for composers who want to start making this type of music?
Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try different things. Play the instruments and listen to what they tell you. Also, if you have more instruments at your disposal, try to write just with those instruments before you move to the orchestra and other virtual instruments. It’s good practice to have a full working song and then ramade it with all the other layers you can add in your DAW. Once you get a feel for it you will be able to think about both at the same time.
5. Which have been the most difficult parts of making this album?
As I previously mentioned, I was working on a first album with Jirka Hájek, who is an amazing folk multi-instrumentalist. The most difficult part was to overcome the feeling that I couldn’t do it alone or that I wouldn’t be able to write good tracks and I would disappoint the fans of the previous album and Jirka.
Of course, the feeling is still there, but I am more confident now that I have heard the whole album. I’ve put everything that I had into it. Every experience that I’ve gained over the years of making music. So what really matters to me now is knowing that I did my best to make it a good album.
6. What are your future plans and dreams as a musician and artist?
No plans or dreams. I just wish to write more music. Because I love it. So the only thing I wish for is to be able to write more and more in the future. And, of course, with more instruments that I would like to get. 😛
7. Finally, where can people follow you online, and find your music? (links)
All my officially released music is on every digital store.
Whoever would like to support me I have a bandcamp page and If you would like to follow me and my social interactions just type in “Devel Sullivan” to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.