Vajas

Vajas functions as a modern ensemble devoted to the ancestral sounds of the Sami, northern Europe's native inhabitants often identified as Laplanders, Reindeer People, or Shamans. The lineup consists of vocalist Ánde Somboy, violinist and singer Kristin Mellem, and synthesizer player Nils Johansen, all based in the Arctic Norwegian city of Tromsø. Their music fuses Somboy's yoiking—a centuries-old Sami singing method—with the resonant, atmospheric textures supplied by Mellem and Johansen. Champions of Nordic folk traditions, the three musicians separately pursue work in folk scholarship, performance, and indigenous legal advocacy. Established in 2003, the group began appearing locally around Tromsø and soon recorded a demo that attracted support for a full-length debut album. While preparing that project, Vajas (Echos) gained recognition within Sami communities through appearances at regional cultural events. In subsequent years the trio ventured well beyond their snowy northern home to present concerts at international folk gatherings and academic venues in Taiwan, Morocco, the United States, and additional locations. The album Sacred Stone appeared in Norway during October 2006. By January 2007 it had entered global music rankings, reaching the fourth position on World Music Charts Europe and remaining there for three months. Throughout the summer and autumn of 2007 the musicians sustained an active schedule of performances at Nordic and Scandinavian cultural festivals across multiple continents.