Emil Kárlsen – Binnát (By Norse Music, 2024)
Emil Ráste Karlsen, known as Emil Kárlsen, is a young Northern Sami multi-instrumentalist and artist from Omasvuotna/Omasvuonon/Storfjord in Troms, Norway. His work on Binnát spans the spectrum between deeply grounded Nordic tradition and modernity, exploring themes of loss, resilience, and cultural revival. His accessible, engaging and fascinating music bridges coastal and mountainous Sami influences and navigates the borders of three countries.
Central to Kárlsen’s artistry is his aim to build connections between people, cultures, and eras. His indigenous music reflects resilience and restoration, approached with humility. Each luohti (joik) he composes for a family member, friend, or place seeks to reconnect his community with their history. His family, like many in his region, faced efforts by authorities to erase Sami culture, yet they have strived to reclaim their language, joik, traditional crafts, and other traditions.
Kárlsen’s concerts are uniquely dynamic, fueled by audience interaction and characterized by his charisma. He performs in various formats: solo with a looper or guitar, with diverse instruments, with a few musicians, or with a full orchestra. His performances convey not just music, but also thoughts and stories rooted in his Sami heritage. Through his art, Kárlsen expresses gratitude for the survival of his culture and unites with the unyielding spirit of those who refuse to be silenced.
Born in 1997, Kárlsen is an established musician, composer, producer, and actor. He has released two studio albums and won several awards with his former band Resirkulert. His first solo album, Nagirvárrái, features collaborations with notable musicians such as Lávre, Katarina Barruk, Hildá Länsman, and the Arctic Philharmonic. He has also starred in various theatrical productions at the Sami National Theatre, including Bjørnejegeren Ol-Tomså and Jussi in Guovžža vuoššat, the dramatization of Mikael Niemi’s novel “To Cook a Bear.” Kárlsen continues to portray Jussi in Disney’s TV series of the same name, set to premiere soon on Disney+.
Author: JGurski
