Niillas Holmberg & Pauli Lyytinen Naarattu laulu

In the collaboration of Sámi musician-poet Niillas Holmberg and saxophonist-composer Pauli Lyytinen, listeners are told about landscapes where the water line of the shores rises and falls.

Where are we when the poet-yoik singer and saxophonist pull a mythical song on dry land, by what water? The world that Niillas Holmberg and Pauli Lyytinen raise with the help of poetry, yoik, saxophone, percussion and electro-electronics is built on the simultaneous presence of centuries, sleep and wakefulness.

The duo's musical world is based on channeling, improvisation and intense listening to each other. Their art is not a product called Naarattu laulu (unofficial translation Pulled Song); it is a verb. Art is not a catch, but an act, when something ancient emerges from the misty water with a collaboratively woven net.

Niillas Holmberg, speech, yoik
Pauli Lyytinen, saxophone, electro-electronics

Holmberg and Lyytinen's collaboration began in 2021 and the duo has since performed at numerous art, literature and music events in Finland, Germany, Italy and Norway. The collaboration has been able to mature and develop through live performances.

The duo's first album, Naarattu laulu, will be released on the autumn tour. Holmberg's poetry has been one of the basic elements of the project from the beginning. Poetry collection Naarattu will be published on October 4th by Gummerus.

"The men are an amazing couple, listening to each other so well. The dialogues are successful and tune in to listen to the words or the yoik or the music in turn."
- Sari Jaatinen, Raahen Seutu 7/2023

The concert is produced by the Global Music Centre and Vapaat äänet