Norwegian band Gabba, led by Joik master John André Eira, is a talented band that specializes in Sami tundra blues. The group aims to introduce the world to the traditional music of Northern European indigenous people. With the guidance of John André Eira, Gabba incorporates elements of Americana, desert blues, folk music, and jazz into his performances, combining traditional joiks with self-composed pieces. The result is an innovative and captivating musical experience that showcases the best of world music and modern forms, imbued with youthful energy.
John André Eira, hailing from Maze, is a gifted joiker who has mastered the traditional Sami style to the fullest extent. His pure a cappella joiking CD is a testament to his exceptional talent. His family, who have kept the tradition of joiking alive, have influenced and inspired him to learn and practice this art form. At a young age, John André was considered one of the foremost talents and practitioners of traditional Sami music in the Northern Sami style.
John André’s fervor and enthusiasm for joiking are formidable, having started at the age of two and learning through practice. He is multitalented, with a secondary school music major in drums and two years of studies in sound engineering at a Folk High School in Haparanda. His enhanced ear due to blindness reinforces his musicianship, and he takes the initiative and works hard. His performance is a delight for the ear, sensitively conveying different person characters, and clearly distinguishing between male and female, young and old. The Sami people need more young people like John André to preserve such a unique tradition and inspire and motivate the younger generation in Sami music.
Gabba released their debut album in 2022, which was highly acclaimed for its freshness. Gabba describes its music as the shaman’s antidote for anyone who has lost touch with their roots.
In addition to his solo work and collaboration with Gabba, John André has won the Sami Grand Prix in the joik section in 2017 and remained productive throughout the pandemic years, composing and licensing music for the media. Notably, his collaboration on the HBO series Utmark led to the single ‘Horágallis,’ and his band participated in the Canadian-Norwegian project Nordic Bridges.
Gabba in 2022 included John André Eira on joik; Marius Trøan Hansen on drums; Espen Bakke on bass; and Christoffer Mietle Furuheim on guitar.
Notably, in 2023, Gabba won the prestigious Spellemann Prizen (equivalent to a Grammy) award for the debut album Gabba, in the category of “traditional music,” strengthening their status as one of the leading Sámi bands in the country.
Author: Claudia Taylor
