Norwegian music collective Wardruna, celebrated for their innovative and genre-defining interpretations of Norse traditions, have announced their highly anticipated debut tour of Australia and New Zealand in January 2025. This tour will coincide with the release of their upcoming album, Birna.
Since their inception in 2009, Wardruna has captivated audiences worldwide, transcending genres and cultures with their rich soundscapes rooted in ancient Norse traditions across five stunning albums. Utilising historical Nordic instruments and themes of nature, and mythology, Wardruna’s music evokes primal emotions and deep connections to mother nature and to our ancient past.
With major contributions to TV series Vikings and video game Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Wardruna has garnered a global following. Their sold-out performances at major festivals alongside performing at some of the most iconic venues across the globe including world heritage site Odeon Of Herodes Atticus, Acropolis, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and more.
The Everblack Podcast caught up with Einar Selvik from Wardruna to talk about their upcoming Australian Tour, New Album ‘Birna‘ and how the spiritual significance of bears inspired its concept, his thoughts on traditional music is being embraced by modern society and more.
Watch/listen to the interview here:
Birna – the she-bear in Old Norse – is a work of art dedicated to the warden of the forest, nature’s caretaker, and her battles here on earth. Slowly driven out of her habitat by modern day societies, she has entered a stage of permanent hibernation. As a result, the forest is gradually dying, longing for its pulse and heart – its shepherd. Birna calls for her return.
The bear frequently figures in the oldest myths of mankind in the northern hemisphere, and many indigenous people still regard this animal as a totem, honouring it with rites and songs. It was once our respected guardian, our guide to edible plants and berries, a creature we both feared and admired.
The heartbeat of the dormant bear, around nine beats per minute, can be felt throughout the Birna album. This cyclical process, so embedded both in nature and the worldview of older cultures, drives Einar Selvik’s every creative work. Birna nurtures the insight that has been at the core of Selvik’s philosophy right from the start: sowing new seeds whilst strengthening old roots.
Instruments and wisdom from ancient times, coupled with modern day soundscapes and recorded sounds of nature, provide a rare opportunity to tell us something valuable about ourselves. It works as a reminder that we are part of nature, not above it, and it offers a way of remembering, not for memory’s own sake, but to gain both new and forgotten insights.
Along with the new album comes recorded show of Wardruna’s unique equinox performance at the world heritage site Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Acropolis, Athens.
The concert proved to be the pinnacle of an intense period of worldwide touring, ending the Kvitravn cycle in a remarkable way.
Spanning over two hours, the show featured outstanding live performances of songs from the group’s discography, such as Helvegen, Kvitravn, Heimta Thurs and Lyfjaberg (that will be featured on the new album Birna).
Captured for all eternity by Kolibri Media, Wardruna now presents the DVD and Blu-Ray
‘Live at the Acropolis’, featuring the full show, additional interviews and impressions of the meet and greet at the Underflow Record Store.
Both the new album and the dvd/Blu-ray are available for pre-ordering here.
https://bio.to/Wardruna
Birna was written and recorded between 2021 and 2024.
Music by Einar Selvik and Lindy-Fay Hella.
Lyrics by Einar Selvik.
Birna is performed by Einar Selvik, Lindy-Fay Hella, Eilif Gundersen, HC Dalgaard,
Sondre Veland, John Stenersen, Arne Sandvoll.
TOUR DATES
Thursday, January 23: Melbourne, Palais Theatre, Melbourne
Saturday, January 25: Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Monday, January 27: Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane
Thursday, January 30: Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Auckland NZ
Tickets from
destroyalllines.com
