Vajas in the Press

WNYC 16th  of February 2007
Vajas was in the "New Sounds" Radioshow aired from New York City, hosted by John Schaefer. "Pubcrow" from the "Sacred Stone" album got to fly over NYC. As did the "Stargirl" get to shine. [Read More]

WNYC 13th  of December 2006
Vajas was in the "New Sounds" Radioshow aired from New York City, hosted by John Schaefer. "Pubcrow" from the "Sacred Stone" album got to fly over NYC. [Read More]

WNYC 30th  of December 2005
Vajas was featured as one of the best live performances from Soundcheck's studio in 2005 [Read More]

WNYC 28th  of October 2005
Vajas was featured the "New Sounds" Radioshow aired from New York City, hosted by John Schaefer. "Pubcrow" from the "Sacred Stone EP" got the chance to fly over NYC. [Read More]

WNYC 25th  of October 2005 0240 pm
Vajas took part in the "Soundcheck" Radioshow aired from New York City, hosted by John Schaefer. It was a 20 minutes contribution with an interview. Vajas also did a couple of live appearances, and tracks from the "Sacred Stone EP" were also flying through the air. [Read More]

MiC 18th  of October 2005
Unique Tromsø-based electronica/joik trio Vajas tour the US in October. Read more on this vibrant new Sámi act that is set to make an impact on the global world music scene. [Read More]

Travelexploraions.com 2nd  of Desember 2004
In the romantic capital Prague (Praha) in Czech Republic, there was not much that reminded us of the tundra in northern Norway, but Vajas wonderful music seduced us and took us far away from the pulsating city life this weekend and into another world another time. [Read More]

Taipei Times 22nd  of October 2004
Sami vocalist Ande Somby will be heard with the accompaniment of fellow musicians who make up Vajas. Combing classical violin, melodic vocals and synthesized effects, Vajas is equipped to take listeners on a new age Arctic journey. [Read More]

Dag og Tid 12th  of June 2004
However. I have been so fortunate that I have met and got to know an elf. His name is Nils Johansen. He lives in a cellar filled by instruments, buttons to adjust sounds, loudspeakers and tones.

Riddu Riđđus Festival-Paper 15th  of May 2004
Vajas is an exciting and poetical meeting of the cold arctic breeze and the warm arctic people. The group has created a musical expression that is whole. It is warm and full of energy.

Nordlys 17th  of April 2004
Vajas is a band based in Tromsø. The members are Nils Johansen (Bel Canto), Ánde Somby and Kristin Mellem.

Nordlys 16th  of February 2004
Vajas was also very good, Mayor Herman Kristoffersen of Tromsø compliments. He has been on an official mission to Bergen during the by:Larm festival.

Áššu 13th  of February 2004:
It becomes so diverse. Almost extremes of different things. One has to search a bit in order to spot something to compare us with. We have sensitive and lyrical tracks as well as pretty raw rock-yoiking. Actually it isn't possible to give any extracting description, Nils Johansen explains.

Dagbladet 13th  of February 2004:
He had to dig deep in the program, and pick up Saami Vajas and the Danish group "Under Byen" in order to find additional examples of bands who play in their mother tongue at the by:Larm festival.

Dagbladet 12th  of February 2004:
While Anneli Drecker is busy being a referee at the Idol show, her old Bel Canto collague Nils Johansen is entering the track together with Ánde Somby and Kristin Mellem with a project that crosses electronica and yoik.

Bergens Tidende 12th  of February 2004:
You ought to know that it seldom becomes more special than Vajas Saami-Laibach, tougher than Silence The Foe , skewer than Professor Pez , more lyrical than Hanne Hukkelberg more faithful to the tradition than the Blues chock Kid Andersen

NRK 9 th  of February 2004:
Among the new talented artist to perform are Gisli, Hanne Hukkelberg, Datarock, Vajas, Lukestar and many others.

NRK 6 th  of February 2004:
6th of February is the Saami national day. The highlight in Tromsø is a concert by Vajas. New newly started group with Ánde Somby, Kristin Mellem and Bel Cantos Nils Johansen has already started to create waves.

Nordlys 3rd  of Desember 2003:
With rocked up yoik sensitive electronica and seducing fiddling Vajas is going to Bergen to attend the by:Larm festival. [Read More]

Tromsø 3rd  of Desember 2003:
Vajas is invited by:Larm that is going to take place next year in Bergen from 12 th to 15th of February.

Tromsøby 2nd   of Desember 2003
Vajas is invited to attend next years by:Larm. The festival takes place in Bergen from 12 th to 15th  of February. The other half of Bel Canto is in the group.

Utropia 24th  of October 2003:
The melody that made the biggest impression on this correspondent is on their website. Guovžha (Bear Tracks) where Kristin Mellems violin is so wonderful that it sends small waves of freezing down through my spinals. Kombined with Sombys calm vocals and the rythm effects from Johansens it becomes magical.

Nordlys 11th  of October 2003:
Tracks that are performed with much presence and sensitivity by the three musicians on the stage. On Johansens sober carpet of electronica, but still playful. [Read More]

Ságat 7th of October 2003:
Kristin Mellem, Ánde Somby og Nils Johansen in the group Vajas contribute with what they call spheric techno-yoik-experiences rythmical suggerating violintunes and humoristic yoik-portraits wrapped in synthsounds and improvisations.

Bladet Tromsø 7th of October 2003:
A North-Norwegian A-team. In particular I look forward to Vajas. They really have style, Olsen says.

Nordlys 7th of October 2003:
The elements of the music we play are familiar. The yoik is based on the traditional yoik, but Ánde goes futher both in developing the lyrics and the melodies. The soundlandscape is based on synths, a bit meditative some parts have more drive, but it is when the three meet that new energy appears.

Nordlys 6th of October 2003:
Ánde Somby, Nils Johansen (Bel Canto) and Kristin Mellem perform together as Vajas (Tromsø) � an exciting meeting between yoik and electronica.

Bladet Tromsø 7th of October 2003:
Among the musical contributions there are several new constallations to notify. Kristin Mellem fiddler and classical violinist performs together with the yoiker joikeren Ánde Somby og Bel Cantos Nils Johansen in the trio Vajas.