Photo by Johan Mathis Gaup

The later years – I would say the last 6-7 years there have popped up tons of Sami music artists. When I started recording music in Sami language, around 2004, there where not many bands or artists for me to look up to and get inspiration from. Very few. One of the reasons I decided to become a sami artist was because I was a bit tired of waiting for the Sami music I wanted to listen to. When I was a teenager and wanted to listen to rock, pop and grunge music, and I wished there was more Sami music like that. But now there are many!

When I started recording music I was 24 years old, and still there where not many new Sami bands or artists. I was kind of thinking: “I guess I have to make that kind of Sami music myself, since no-one else is doing it!” So my first EP “Lahka” was a bit rock influenced, because that was the music I listened to as a teenager. After a few years playing rock I realized a rock-stage was not the right stage for me to be on, and I started making world/folk/pop music instead.

Sami music is not a genre of music (anymore). If Sami music would be a genre then it would be acapella joiking. But today we have Samis doing all kinds of genres. So when we talk about “Sami music” it is not a music genre, it just states where it is made. Just like Norwegian music or “Made in China”. That is why I have tried to catalogue the artists into different genres, which also is not really easy, as it is usually a mix of many genres… but I tried anyway.

But here is the list I have of some Sami bands and performers. Not all are on this list, so please feel free to use the comments section below if you think of a name that is missing! My goal is to get every band/artist in Sápmi on this list. If you are looking for joik, look in the traditional music section. (There are many joikers I have not added yet).

Pop

Akkil

Agnethe Johnsen

Ágy

Ann-Mari Andersen

Ánnámáret Ensemble

Berit Margrethe Oskal

Isák

Biru Baby

Keiino

Emma Ellianne
Elle Marja Eira

Jon Henrik Fjallgren

Marja Mortensson

Johan Kitti

Elin Kåven

Elin & The Woods

Katarina Barruk

Máret

Sara Ajnnak
Sofia Jannok

Mäxida Märak

Max Mackhé

Transjoik

Wenche Marie Hætta

Eva Jeanette Iversen

Sáve

Rolffa

Felgen orkester

Inger Gaup

Jiella

Tundra Electro

Sunna Máret Utsi

Máret Hildur Stueng

Aili

Máret (Marit Hætta Øverli)

Piera Jovnna Somby

Máddji

Traditional / World

Berit Alette Mienna
Biret Ristin Sara

Bong´Antte

Thomas Marainen

Karen Anne Buljo

Berit Margrethe Oskal

Ingor Ánte Áilo Gaup
Inga Márja Sarre

Johan Anders Bær

Nils Aslak Valkeapää

Arvvas

Mari Boine

Marja Mortensson

Frode Fjellheim

Elin Kåven

Jienat

Magnus Vuolab

Solju

Vassvik

Per Tor Turi

Inga Juuso / Bárut

Niillas Holmberg

Tundra Electro

Jiella

Áiligasnieiddat

Lars Ánte Kuhmunen

Johan Sara jr

Johan Anders Bær

Wimme Saari

Ulla Pirttijarvi

Assu

Deatnogátte nuorat / Tanabreddens ungdom

Angelit

Niillas Holmberg

Vildá

Sančuari

Ànde Somby

Vájas

Blues/jazz/experimental

Árvvas

Ánnasuolo

Ára

Johan Sara jr

Leagus

Vassvik

Vájas

Wimme Saari

Ulla Pirttijarvi

Deatnogátte nuorat / Tanabreddens ungdom

Angelit

Solju

Vildá

Niko Valkeapää

Niillas Holmberg

Transjoik

Àja

Akkil

Rap

Amoc

Duolva Duottar

Slincraze

Ailo Valle

Rock

Intrigue

Sančuari

Biru Baby

Ivvár

Áigi

Mollet

And while we are at it, here are some Sami labels:

Audioland
Barth Records
DAT
Duppidit
Guldal rec
Idut
Nordic Notes, DE
Rieban
Skadja
Stierdna
Tuupa records
Vuelie

Please feel free to comment if there are some sami band, performers and artist I have forgotten! Thank you!

The post LIST OF SAMI BANDS AND MUSIC ARTISTS appeared first on Beneath Northern Lights.