CALLE JULARBO AND THE GAMMELDANS: MUSIC, NETWORKS, MEDIATISATION

The purpose of this project is to expand on the knowledge about how 20th century Swedish popular music was developed and shaped, by focusing on the music, media production, and networks of the accordionist and composer Calle Jularbo (1893–1966) and the Gammeldans musical genre.The theoretical basis includes a wide spectrum of media theory, specifically theories on mediation and remediation, mediatisation of music, and musicalisation.

Informed by actor-network theory we view Jularbo as an actor entangled in webs of relations, with a focus on processes of change and “translation”.

To gather material, we use a combination of qualitative research methods combined with experimental, artist-led musicology.In three sub-projects, we map out specific aspects of the networks of Jularbo and Gammeldans.

We will study how Jularbo’s music was remediated throughout his career, how his instrumental and compositional styles were received within the Gammeldans community during a period of increasing copyright awareness, as well as focus on the Swedish accordions technological development and cultural connotations as an integral part of Jularbo’s special sound.

The project connects to and expand on current music- and media research, and add a new perspective: understanding greater changes in music through the “keyhole” of a legendary musician and its networks.

The project will have great significance in terms of knowledge about and understanding of Sweden’s 20th century musical society.