Gákti by VASSVIK

"The core of the Sámi culture is the animism: everything is connected, everything is alive. Gákti is the often colourful outfit, which we Sámi people are so lucky to have. It has a wider meaning than wearing clothes. It draws a lot of attention to our culture and keeps our identity alive. It protects us, just as the ice shall cover important parts of the earth. My personal Gákti is the music that is deeply rooted in the traditional Joik and the Sámi culture. At the same time I love to create new patterns and designs by undertaking sound experiments and updating the animistic tradition."
- Torgeir Vassvik

The story of VASSVIK
VASSVIK is the band of deep-voiced experimentalist Torgeir Vassvik. The Sámi artist develops new visions of the animistic Joik. Joik is the vocal art of the Sámi indigenous people of Northern Europe. Since his first album release «Sáivu» in 2006, Torgeir Vassvik has developed a distinct artistic expression, strengthened through his second release «Sápmi» in 2009. At this point, the Sámi vocalist, guitarist, frame drum player and composer had already included strings in the line-up. In 2016, Torgeir Vassvik met the young brothers Rasmus and Hans P. Kjorstad. The Kjorstad brothers, who's background is in traditional folk music and improvised music, joined VASSVIK and added their unique talents and violin playing style to the band. Soon, Torgeir Vassvik finished several new compositions, ten of them were arranged within the band and then recorded in 2018 by Audun Strype in Oslo. Strype had joined VASSVIK in 2010, and has been an important partner since. “Gákti” also includes six solo pieces, which Torgeir Vassvik recorded and mixed himself. These interludes add even more colours to Gákti and sew it together to an album of international value.

Innovative, experimental expression of ancient tradition
The pieces on “Gákti” include personal Joiks (a Joik dedicated to someone), tributes to nature, friendship, love and feminine power, songs on climate change, songs for those who are gone, but still live, and Joiks of the world view of indigenous people. The music develops a seamless relationship between Joik, improvised instrumental music, electronics, guitar- and fiddle riffs. It has rhythmic pull, is open and multifaceted. By combining a convincing foundation in old traditional music, with willingness, eagerness and ability to experiment within that frame, VASSVIK succeeds at creating a meditative, sensual and powerful musical expression.

"Torgeir Vassvik's latest album Gákti is a compelling soundworld that blurs the line between music and nature itself. By fusing together Sami vocal art, electronic and avant folk textures and what can only be called - a deep shamanic blues – VASSVIK has created something enlightening and transformative. It is a 21st century soul music, that mines the past while it searches for the future."

- Chris Eckman, Glitterbeat

Torgeir Vassvik is an arctic sound magician, who goes beyond everything our ears have ever come across.