Expecto Patronum- Introducing Wintergatan
Well, Wintergatan released their debut track, Sommarfågel, in 2013, but I just discovered them last night. So this is an introduction for you, if you are late to this Swedish gem as well. Spearheaded by engineer/inventor Marin Molin, they captured my attention for the unconventional and interesting instruments/inventions they use. From using a typewriter to a giant marble-dropping machine, they have created some unique and alluring sounds.
I haven’t been touched this deeply in years. I had never heard of Wintergatan before stumbling upon them recently, and it made me shed tears hearing how beautiful their music was. And seeing all the work behind it. Everything Martin and his band has created has been really intentional, beautiful, ingenious, and thoughtful. I am going to share some of my perspective to you in hopes that you understand the beauty that I see.
For those who have known me for a long time, they know that the mental health motifs and themes represented in Harry Potter by the dementors along with the fictional protective spell “Expecto Patronum” have a great deal of meaning to me. Interpreting monsters such as depression and anxiety with Dementors and Boggarts has helped me greatly in coping with both my entire life.
“expecto patronum” – the conjuring spell for a Patronus
“Dementors are among the foulest creatures that walk this earth. They infest the darkest, filthiest places, they glory in decay and despair, they drain peace, hope, and happiness out of the air around them… Get too near a Dementor and every good feeling, every happy memory will be sucked out of you. If it can, the Dementor will feed on you long enough to reduce you to something like itself… soulless and evil. You will be left with nothing but the worst experiences of your life.”
Remus Lupin, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”
“The Patronus is a kind of positive force, a projection of the very things that the Dementor feeds upon – hope, happiness, the desire to survive – but it cannot feel despair, as real humans can, so the Dementors can’t hurt it. But I must warn you, Harry, that the Charm might be too advanced for you. Many qualified wizards have difficulty with it.”
“Depression is the most unpleasant thing I have ever experienced. . . . It is that absence of being able to envisage that you will ever be cheerful again. The absence of hope. That very deadened feeling, which is so very different from feeling sad. Sad hurts but it’s a healthy feeling. It is a necessary thing to feel. Depression is very different. ”
J.K. Rowling
But onto Wintergatan. Prefaced now with this perspective and understanding, you may understand why I was so deeply struck by this music video. Music has been one of the greatest healing tools for me, and clearly for Martin. The attention and care, the obvious manifestation of dreams brought forth from childhood. It’s beautiful. It’s nostalgic. I’m inspired. From his hand built musical box-like creations to open sharing of his creative process, Martin is the kind of creative I’m glad is in this world.
This is Sommarfågel, or Swedish for “Summer Bird”. Fly High, and don’t let the Dementors get you down. 🙂