Songs
Breathe
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- country:Sweden
- region:Sápmi
- style(s):Folk, World Pop
- label:Bjärka
- type:Band
- gender:female
- instrumentation:vocal, electronic, percussion, string
- artist contact:Mirjan Ääni
Line up
- Gustav Afsahi (Synths, Guitar, Computer)
- Jonas Sjöblom (Drums, Percussion, Flutes)
- Mirja Palo (Vocals, Kantele)
Links
Mirja Palo is a prominent singer and musician with Finnish and Tornedalian roots, born in Umeå in 1985 and raised in Árviesjávrrie, Sápmi. Despite not having a Sámi background many of her songs are performed in Northern Sámi, a language she learned as adult. She is known for combining the Finnish folk instrument Kantele with her unique vocal expression (classical and folk) inspired from the soul of Norrbotten. Through her debut album "Riegádahttin" (Birth) she celebrates the mystery of birth and female strength.
With the celebrated debut ’Riegádahttin’ she sheds light on the relationship between the vulnerability of the pregnant body and the immense power of the womb, while at the same time highlighting childbirth through the ages. The album also explores the fear and worry of becoming a parent, gratitude towards life, and the body’s ability to bear, birth, and heal. It is an artistically profound journey where the listener through nine tracks experiences how women’s birthing experiences take place in the universe of art. The Finnish string instrument Kantele together with the voice are the central elements of the music, which in different ways highlights the epic narratives. Together with Mirja and percussionist Jonas Sjöblom, producer Gustav Afsahi has created a spectacular soundscape with multiple layers for the listener to delve into.
REWIEVS
"The album Riegádahttin is an exploratory, updated folk music wrapped in a modern soundscape, where ballads, pop, art music, and atmospheric soundscapes come together."
(Timo Kangas, Lira)
" "Life is here, can you feel it?" Mirja Palo´s lyrics don´t shy away from the pain of labour and childbirth and the inpending closeness of a new life. In this album, she says, "I wanted to use my own and others´experiences to musically portray the pregnant state in all its vulnerability, fragility and at the same time, the immense force that is released while giving birth" Feeling which are both universal and, here, deeply personal. Palo expresses these feelings - from pain and mystery, to female strength immersed in her own heritage from the north of Sweden and in the Sámi language, using the traditional kantele (Finnish Lyre). Her voice is warm and powerful and the tracks in which she includes traditional jojk singing are compelling. ('Beaivelotti soajit'). Percussion from Jonas Sjöblom adds interesting textures ('Tule Luoja'), too. Riegádahttin is a thoughtful and thought-provoking album, which sees Mirja Palo articulating her poetry so clearly that it´s easy to get caught up in its purring rhytms, with no need for translations. It is also beautifully produced. "
(Fiona Talkington, Songlines)
"The result is highly arranged, relaxing and poetic set of evocative music with a unique effervescence that shines with joy. Despite it being from one of the coldest municipal seats in Sweden Lapland in terms of winter temperatures, this album’s music has a very heartwarming and welcoming quality."
(Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)
Mirja’s own words about the album:
“I wanted to use my own and others’ experiences to musically portray the pregnant state in all of its vulnerability, fragility, and at the same time the immense force that is released while giving birth.
Stories about childbirth are so central in our lives, yet they get so little attention in art.
With this album I wanted to contribute to touching the most existential that exists within a human being, thus forcing us to reflect on ourselves and who we are.”