Joachim Luohti (Joachims joik) - MIIA

Joachim Luohti (Joachims joik) - MIIA

So this is going to be a long post, but I hope you will read it, cause it’s something I really want to share with you.

Today is the Sámi National Day and for those of you who don’t know this, the Sámi people are the indigenous people of my home country Norway, and also Sweden, Finland, and Russia. I have a profound respect for the Sami people and their history, and please, if you haven't read anything about the Sami people, I really recommend you do so. My interest in and admiration for Sami culture only increased the more knowledge I gained about it. And then, a couple of years back, I was so lucky to be asked to be part of a program on Norwegian national television, where I was going to learn how to "joik". Joik is traditional Sami folk music, usually performed as a dedication to an animal, a person, or a place.

In the program I participated in, «Muitte Mu» (Remember me), I was going to make my own joik for someone who meant a great deal in my life. So I choose my uncle, who has also always been one of my best friends and my producer ever since I started making music. It was he who gave me the opportunity to work with music in the first place, and I am so grateful to him. But as relationships go we too have had our ups and downs. So with this joik I wanted to show him that no matter the difficulties, both related to music and to our relationship, I wanted him to know how much I love him, and what we have together as family, friends and colleges.

Perhaps some of you are wondering why I haven’t released the joik - or more music in general - until now. And it is scary to be honest about this. For different reasons, I have had very little confidence and belief in myself for a while. Although I truly love my music, that I have released so far, there have just been too many painful feelings on both a personal level and as an artist. To be brutally honest I at some point even thought about quitting music. But guess what, things get better! Although I still have worries and insecurities, I am starting to regain my «strength» and I’m making music again. This time for MYSELF, for my uncle, and of course, for you guys. All you beautiful people sending me messages everyday. I love talking to you and hearing your stories. Thank you for being so patient and kind.

Lihkku beivviin to all my Sami friends!