Six Bones

Chronicles of a Wandering Music Fan

Tutl Records, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands

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To be entirely honest, the size and quality of the music scene in the Faroe Islands totally took me by surprise. At just under 20,000 people, Tórshavn is the world’s smallest capital.  Despite the small population, there are dozens of bands and musical projects active in the Faroes, and at the center of it all is the prolific Tutl Records.

Tutl (Faroese for “whisper”) was founded by a Danish Jazz composer named Kristian Blak, and in the last 35+ years has put out hundreds of releases for 100 or so artists. The roster is mostly comprised of Faroese bands, but Tutl has released albums for bands from outside the Faroes as well: from Italy, Iceland, and Estonia, to name just a few. Their releases cover an impressive range of genres, from traditional Faroese ethnic music, to folk, metal, jazz, reggae, and many more. [Read more…]

Visiting a Legendary Ruin: Nólsoy, Faroe Islands

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On my recent visit to Nólsoy, Faroe Islands, my favorite part of the day trip was the Prinsessutoftir, or “The Princess’s Ruin.” Just a 10-minute walk south of the village, the road runs right through these ruins, and they can be quite easy to miss if you’re not paying attention, but they are a must-see for any visitor to Nólsoy. [Read more…]

Day Trip: Nólsoy, Faroe Islands

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On my recent trip to the Faroe Islands, I spent a foggy Saturday afternoon wandering the beautiful island of Nólsoy. One of the easiest day trips from Tórshavn, Nólsoy is the closest neighboring island to the capital city. The ferry ride is only 30 minutes or so, and affords spectacular views of the capital and surrounding areas from the small boat. At only DKK 20 (about US $4) each way, it’s a great way to get out of the city and explore one of the Faroe Islands’ most picturesque villages. You can catch the ferry at the terminal in the harbor, and clear signage will point you to the right place. The schedule is available here. [Read more…]

Helpful Faroese Phrases for Forgetful Backpackers

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So you’re planning your trip to the Faroe Islands, eagerly anticipating the spectacular, dramatic scenery and beautiful hikes through the hills. In this sparsely populated country of 50,000 or so people, it’s easy to get lost in all of your epic plans for exploring, forgetting to take time to consider your interactions with the lovely people living in the Faroes. If you’re a bit of a space case like me, you may have forgotten to learn some key Faroese phrases for your trip (oops!). [Read more…]

I’m Katy, a Seattleite quitting my normal life to pursue my two greatest passions: travel and music. I’m documenting my general travel adventures, as well as great record stores, labels, festivals, and music I find around the world.