Lea Kampmann

On Lea Kampmann’s new album Seinferð, she in- vites listeners into a musical space that evokes the sensation of being inside an acoustic guitar. In a har- monious blend of folk and singer/songwriter pop, she conveys the atmospheric mood of the Faroe Is- lands’ stunning nature through the tonal colors of sound. Seinferð, which means "slow motion" in Far- oese, encapsulates an important story about recon- necting with oneself by moving at one’s own pace.

Danish/Faroese singer Lea Kampmann had previ- ously only released music in English. However, when she lost her grandmother, one of the strongest con- nections she had to the Faroe Islands was severed. One way she found her way "home" again was by writing songs in Faroese.

The album's eight tracks were co-written with Faro- ese musician and producer Teitur during a snow- storm in Tórshavn. As the snow whipped against the windows, they found inspiration together for a call to resist the hectic pace, stress, and fast tempo that characterize our society today.

"Seinferð is an inner rebellion against the idea that you have to run as fast as others when it doesn't feel right for you," says the 27-year-old singer.

The album stands as living proof that vulnerability is not a weakness but a strength that allows us to rec- ognize something within ourselves. Through vulner- ability, Lea Kampmann has found authenticity, peace, and naturalness—both in her musical ex- pression and on a personal level.

Activism Around a Life in Slow Motion

"Lea Kampmann is an activist for taking things slowly and being proud of her sensitivity. The music is an ex- halation, and I believe we've created a musical uni- verse that invites the listener into a world of quiet contemplation and emotional immersion. Lea dares to live life at her own pace, and that is admirable," says Teitur.

In addition to co-writing the lyrics, Teitur also per- forms instrumentally and produced the album. The album was mixed by Philip Weinrobe, who has previ- ously worked with artists such as Leonard Cohen, Alanis Morissette, and Adrienne Lenker, the latter of whom is one of Lea Kampmann's greatest inspira- tions. The album's Nordic sound and calm nuances are inspired by older Faroese songwriting tradition

s from artists like Kári P, Hanus G, as well as newer Faroese voices like Guðrið Hansdóttir, Guðrun, and Bartal.

One way Lea reconnected with the Faroe Islands was by delving into Faroese culture, nature, and lan- guage—the language in which she said "I love you" for the first time. Songwriting became a form of spir- itual healing from grief and longing, where music created calm amidst a personal whirlwind of noise, stress, and sorrow.

It was necessary for Lea to allow herself to be vulner- able and to process the loss of a close relationship at her own pace, which she has made a heartfelt mission to convey through her music on this album.

On the album, Lea Kampmann not only turns her gaze towards her own roots but also towards the roots of music. The production consists solely of acoustic instruments, apart from the odd synthe- sizer, which are a conceptual part of her call for slow motion. Instead of relying on technology, machines, screens, and all the quick fixes that the digitalized society o[ers, she chose to have the music reflect the slow, natural, bodily, and human as an essential prerequisite for keeping pace with the body, the earth, and nature.

Thus, it's not just the lyrics that stand in opposition to societal trends of growth, speed, and profit—the musical and production expressions do as well.

Nordic Music Experiment Inspired the Promotion of Faroese Language and Culture

Another inspiration for switching to Faroese lyrics came in 2021 when Lea participated in the TV docu- mentary and Nordic music experiment Arctic As- sembly, which took place in Greenland. The con- cept involved bringing together musicians from all the Nordic countries, each of whom had to write and present music in their native language with the aim of promoting Nordic minority languages through music.

The experience at Arctic Assembly was a spark of courage and desire that, combined with the loss of her grandmother, a battle with stress, and a longing to reconnect with her culture, language, and home, led her to release her first album in her mother tongue.

Lea was born in the Faroe Islands but moved to Co- penhagen when she was five years old, giving her insight into both Danish and Faroese cultures. With Seinferð, Lea Kampmann hopes to spread her knowledge of Faroese culture and, most im- portantly, the Faroese language to Danes.

In the Faroe Islands, children start learning Danish in the third grade. But like in an imbalanced rela- tionship, the Faroese language is not an integrated part of Danish culture. Lea often experiences a kind of alienation in her "second home," where people in Denmark, for example, think she is Dutch when she speaks Faroese.

With Seinferð, Lea Kampmann hopes to spread one of the Nordic minority languages across borders— not with a political speech, but through music and a language that is often overlooked on the Danish music scene, despite the Faroe Islands being part of the Danish realm and thus an integral part of Danish society and culture.

Lea Kampmann debuted in 2017 with the EP Com- mon Blue. She has been nominated for four Faro- ese Music Awards and won the award for "Artist of the Year" in 2018. In 2022, she released the album If I Ever Made You Cry, I'm Sorry, which was awarded four stars by GAFFA. Lea Kampmann has previously opened for acts such as Lucky Lo and Katinka Band, and earlier this year, she performed at SPOT Festival.