Luođik

 
 

Guorga

 
 
 

  • Jalvvi Niillas Holmberg - Producing, yoik, edit, layout

    Pekka Aikio - Techinical producing, recording, edit, mix

    Lada Suomenrinne - Photography

  • Luođik is a yoik-soundscape album recorded on a Deatnu river boat. Jalvvi Niillas Holmberg rows the boat while reminiscing his ancestors and their relatives through luohti - yoik.

  • Listen on streaming services.

  • Published in 2024 by DAT.

 
 
 

  • Niillas Holmberg - vocals and poetry

    Jakop Janssønn - drums, percussions, synth, bass

    Kristian Olstad - guitar and electronics

    Herborg Rundberg - piano

    Eirik Fjelde - piano and rhodes

    Jo Fougner Skaansar - bass

    Svein Schultz - bass

    Marja Mortensson - vocals

    Marius Neset - saxophone

    Daniel Herskedal - tuba and basstrumpet

    Eirik Johannesen - trombone

    Magnus Wiik - mandoline

    Oddrun Lilja Jonsdottir - guitar

    Roger Ludvigsen - guitar

    Eira Sjaalstad Huse, Kajsa Balto, Eline Åsbakk, Jakop Janssønn and Jo Fougner Skaansar - choir

  • Yoik poetry is here. Guorga comprises Niillas Holmberg and Jakop Janssønn, in search of the lyrics and curves of a forgotten yoik. They are joined by some of the best musicians in Sápmi and Norway. Guorga plays cross-genre music forging a unique picture through song and poetry.

  • Listen on spotify

    Watch the music video Duoddara modjegobit

  • Published in 2021 by record lable DAT

 
 
 

Ylva

 
 
 

  • Niillas Holmberg - vocals and poetry

    Antero Priha - trumpet

    Asko Keränen - iPhone and stuff

    Stefan Kvarnström - synthesizer and percussions

  • YLVA is four musicians from three nations with musical backgrounds completely different from each other: With Sámi yoik and jazz trumpet combined with various dancy atmospheres, Ylva brought something completely new and unique to the fields of electronic and indigenous music.

  • Listen on Spotify

  • Ylva was published in May 2016 by Bone Voyage Recordings.

 
 
 

Live at Riddu Riđđu

 
 
 

  • Namgar Lhasaranova - vocals

    Niillas Holmberg - vocals

    Ole Jørn Myklebust - trumpet, xaphoon, vocals

    Fredrik Ellingsen - guitar, electronics

    Kjetil Dalland - bass

    Jakop Janssønn - drums, percussions

    Evgeny Zolotarev - chanza

  • Nordic Namgar is fronted by the vocalists Namgar Lhasaranova from Buryatia, Russia (north of Mongolia) and Niillas Holmberg from Sápmi. Nordic Namgar started in 2013 as the Riddu Riđđu festival commisioned a piece by Ole Jørn Myklebust, an accomplished jazz and world musician.

  • Listen on Spotify

  • Live in Riddu Riđđu was released in 2014 by Finito Bacalao.

 
 
 
 

Assimilašuvdna blues

 
 
 
 

  • Niillas Holmberg - Vocals, guitar

    Roope Mäenpää - Cello, piano

    Jussi Isokoski - Drums

    Linda Fredriksson - Soprano saxophone

    Teho Majamäki - Percussions

  • Niillas Holmberg & Roope Mäenpää duo was active during 2007-2019. The combination of Niillas’ singer & songwriter style and Roope’s classical background was known for touching melodies, poetic North Sámi lyrics and unique live experiences.

  • Listen on Spotify

  • The duo's second album Assimilašuvdna blues was published in 2014 by Tuupa Records. Debut album Manin guottán girjji fárus was published in 2011, sold-out and unavailable online.

 
 
 

Other projects

 

Juovssaheaddji - Tilbakeføreren - The Rematriator

 
 

Juovssaheaddji, a multi-diciplinary performance, explores the deep connection between spirituality and land rights. The performance delves into the inseparable link between Sámi spirituality and the connection to the land. Here, historical references are connected with modern land rights issues, and the story is told through complex artistic expressions – with music, dance, joik and poetry. The performance takes place on different levels in reality and time. With inspiration from actual historical events, the performance draws lines that show that a 350-year-old trial is also relevant today. The play deals with the trial of Juovssaheaddji, who is accused of trying to retrieve stolen property using the drum. As the narrative unfolds through time and space, it becomes clear that what has been stolen is the land itself.

Music by Jakop Janssønn, text and yoik by Niillas Holmberg, choreography and dance by Biret Haarla Pieski and Gáddjá Haarla Pieski, scenography by Outi Pieski.

Watch the premiere in Bodø on NRK.

 
 

Luovus - Symphony for Yoik and Chamber Orchestra

Photo by Curtis Perry

 
 

Roope Mäenpää’s first symphony Luovus is a highpoint of the collaboration between him and Niillas Holmberg. The symphony includes Niillas’ poem “Luovus”. The symphony was commissioned by the Lapland Chamber Orchestra and premiered in 2022 as John Storgårds as the conductor. International debut took place in Ottawa in 2023 when Storgårds conducted Niillas and the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

Watch the premiere in Rovaniemi.