Ánde Somby

Yoiker, musician and author Ánde Somby yoiks salmon, grouse, bear, crow and mosquitoe, but his signature yoik is the wolf yoik. The wolf yoik is a traditional yoik that Somby has developed with dramatic elements in an expressive performance. Somby's yoiks are deeply rooted in the joik tradition of mountain Sami from Øst-Finnmark and the Sami from Tanadalen. His many animal yoiks are inspired by the idea of transformation in the pre-Christian Sami religion - how a person could transform into an animal and back into a human.

Somby has been an active yoiker since 1976 and has performed for royalty, heads of state and even at the funeral of Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren. His many animal yoiks are inspired by the idea of transformation in the pre-Christian Sami religion - how a person could transform into an animal and back into a human.

Ánde Somby became familiar with the multi-artist Nils-Aslak Valkeapää in 1977 and the two toured and performed together a number of times. From 2003 - 2007 he was a singer and composer in the group Vajas. Somby has produced four yoik records: Somby & Somby - Ean Máššan (1985), Inga Juuso - Ravddas Ravdii (1991), Ivvár Niillas - Deh (2001) and Deh2 (2003).

Somby is Associate Professor of Law at the University of Tromsø and has been engaged in Sami social issues. In January Somby released the album Yoiking With The Winged Ones on Ash International.

Ánde Somby's website