News and Updates
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Birna • 20 Sep. 2024
From the deep woods emerges ‘Birna’, our sixth studio album. 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. We are excited to present the song and music video for ‘Himinndotter’ (Sky-daughter) from the new record. The song constitues a search and a calling for our lost sister of the woods.
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. The title of the single plays on the globally common notion of the bears mythical origin as a celestial being. It was once our respected guardian, our guide to edible plants and berries, a creature we both feared and admired.
‘Himinndotter’ features guest appearance of the Norwegian choir Koret Artemis. The video was filmed in Rondane National Park in Norway and directed by longtime collaborator Tuukka Koski, and produced by Breakfast Helsinki and Ragnarok Film.
Birna will be released on January 24, 2025. Along with the album, we are releasing a DVD and Blu-ray ‘Live at the Acropolis’, containing our full equinox performance at the world heritage site Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Acropolis, Athens in September 2023.
Pre-orders are live now:
https://bio.to/Wardruna
EU / World Shop »
United Kingdom Shop »
North American Shop »
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Australian Shop »
Hertan • 5 Apr. 2024
Amidst Wardruna's song-writing hibernation, the group resurface to offer a taste of their next album with the single release and music video for the song Hertan on April 5th!
Einar Selvik comments on the new song: “Hertan is the proto-Scandinavian word for heart and that is exactly what we explore in this in this song and film. The duality of the heart with the rhythm, flow and pulse we can see, hear, and feel in nature and in all forms of life – and the more abstract idea of the heart, The rudder on the ship of emotions, our decisions, and our true desires.”
Once again, Wardruna teamed up with Finnish director and photographer Tuukka Koski for the video production of Hertan. Koski has previously directed Wardruna's videos for Raido, Voluspá, and Grá. This time, the production mainly took place during some freezing nights in northern Finland at the island of Hailouto.
Einar about the video shooting process: “It is always a true pleasure to create art with Tuukka and his colleagues at Breakfast Helsinki! His experience and eye for detail as well as the ability to always conjure up next-level material, is very inspiring to be part of. Three days, three locations, no sleep but a lot of heart. This is how it went down. Hope you will enjoy the result!”
Stream the song here: https://wardruna.lnk.to/hertan
Borgholm • 25 Nov. 2022
We are very exited to announce our next Nordic Night gathering, taking place in the magnificent 13th century castle Borgholm on the coast of Sweden, July 8, 2023. We invite you to a full-day event including concerts, workshops and Wardruna meet & greet. Special guest and our opening act will be Norwegian Sami indigenous singer Mari Boine together with her band. Mari is a world-renowned award-winning musician. A pioneer and a legend in what she does and she has been an inspiration for Wardruna's music throughout the years.
Kvitravn – First Flight of the White Raven • 21 Jan. 2022
We have the immense pleasure to announce the upcoming release on April 22nd, 2022 of "Kvitravn – First Flight of the White Raven", an audio-visual recording that was broadcasted online on March 26th, 2021, being the release show of the «Kvitravn» album. The release will be available in various digital and physical formats.
To give it wings, the live version of "Solringen" is already available in digital formats and on YouTube.
Einar comments:
"This was recorded in a time when it was not allowed to perform in front of an audience, which made it very important for me that the recording itself truly captured the energy of a live performance. What you will hear, is what we performed in that moment in that room. No re-recordings or autotune was done in the afterwork. Just like for a regular concert, the set list was carefully put together with a selection of songs from all our albums, including a handful songs from the new album, which we performed for the very first time. On the day of recording, we all stood together in the same room for the first time in over a year. Everyone came focused and well prepared and the energy felt like no time had passed. I hope you will agree!"
Pre-orders for the new release are available as limited box set, 2CD, 2LP and digital release on wardrunashop.com
Limited edition box set contents.
European Tour Rescheduled, New Dates Added • 28 Oct. 2021
Due to the still uncertain situation with constant changes in regulations and unique travel restrictions from country to country, we have no option but to move our European tour to 2022 and 2023. On a more positive note, we added a few extra concerts to the existing tour dates.
Two of the European Tour dates are now upgraded and part of the Nordic Night Open Air Tour! In Serbia on July 11 we now play the Tasmajdan Stadium. In Bratislava we will play the outstanding venue of Castle Devin on July 13.
Your tickets remain valid for the new dates. If you have any question about your ticket, please contact your ticket office.
On behalf of myself and the whole Wardruna-team, I would like to thank you for your patience, understanding and support throughout this challenging period.
-Einar-
Find tickets in the Tour Dates section.
Andvevarljod Single Out Now! • 23 Dec. 2020
The song is a central piece on the new album "Kvitravn". It explores the Nordic deities of fate; the Norns, the spinning of life threads and the Norse and Sámi common idea that a person’s spirit is connected to wind, both before and after birth. The song features guest appearances by a small group of prominent Norwegian traditional singers, Kirsten Bråten Berg, Sigrid Berg, Unni Løvlid, Ingebjørg Reinholdt alongside our own Lindy-Fay Hella.
Einar Selvik comments:
"On a personal level, Andvevarljod (Song of the Spirit-Weavers) is a song I hold very dear and it was also my starting point on the new album. Musically, it gives voice to very old song traditions and on top of that it is voiced by some of the most central reasons why these traditions are being kept alive for us and the generations to come. So, special thanks go out to our guest singers for lending us their talents and for the invaluable work they do for keeping our traditions alive!"
Stream the song here: https://orcd.co/andvevarljod
Also, to mark the winter solstice Einar performed a skaldic version of Andvevarljod. The video is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/99N6XWUeKdg
Kvitravn Music Video and Single Out Now! • 16 Oct. 2020
Kvitravn (White Raven) is the title track from our upcoming album. It’s a song that explores traditions of animal-guides and the symbolism and legends of sacred white animals found in Nordic- and other cultures all over the world. These highly regarded ghostly creatures, whether a raven, snake, bear, moose, reindeer, elephant or lion – are in animist traditions seen as prophetic, divine messengers, and guardians representing renewal, purity and a bridge between worlds.
The lyrics and English translations are found in the description below the video. The song is also available on all major digital music platforms.
The video was shot in various locations in Norway and Russia and was produced by Ragnarok Film – the same team responsible for our previous video for the song “Lyfjaberg”. Being fully aware of how rare it is to come across white ravens, we knew from the start that this would be an ambitious and challenging task to pull off. However, fate seemed to be on our side in this and the “impossible” piece of the puzzle fell into place as if gifted from the divine. We hope you will enjoy and give it wings!
The full album is set for worldwide release on January 22, 2021 and can be pre-ordered in various formats and bundles from the following stores:
World: https://wardruna.lnk.to/Kvitravn_Album
Germany: https://wardruna.merchcowboy.com/all
USA: https://orcd.co/kvitravn_album
Australia: https://www.nervegas.com.au/kvitravn
Further new items: https://wardrunashop.com
North American Tour Moved To 2021 • 5 Aug. 2020
Due to the current COVID-19 situation we will not be able to go through with the upcoming North American tour as planned in 2020. It is very unfortunate but totally out of our hands. Nevertheless, we have worked very hard for a solution and we are excited to present you our North American Tour 2021 as displayed on the poster! Please note that the venues have changed in Vancouver and Calgary and that we have added a concert in Denver to the tour!
Already bought tickets remain valid for all the new dates/venues. For further information please contact the respective local promoters. Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you in 2021!
2021 US and Canada Tour Dates:
23 Sep - Charlotte, NC - Ovens Auditorium - Tickets
24 Sep - Washington, DC - Warner Theatre - Tickets
25 Sep - Brooklyn, NY - Kings Theatre - Tickets
27 Sep - Boston, MA - The Orpheum Theater - Tickets
28 Sep - Montreal, QC - M Telus - Tickets
29 Sep - Toronto, ON - Meridian Hall - Tickets
01 Oct - Chicago, IL - Auditorium Theatre - Tickets
02 Oct - Minneapolis, MN - The State Theatre - Tickets
05 Oct - Calgary, AB - Southern Alberta Jubilee - Tickets
07 Oct - Salem, OR - Elsinore Theatre- Tickets
08 Oct - Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre - Tickets
09 Oct - Vancouver, BC - The Chan Centre - Tickets
11 Oct - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex - Tickets
13 Oct - Oakland, CA - Paramount Theatre - Tickets
15 Oct - El Cajon, CA - Magnolia - Tickets
16 Oct - Los Angeles, CA - Orpheum Theatre - Tickets
17 Oct - Mesa, AZ - Ikeda Theatre - Tickets
19 Oct - Dallas, TX - The Majestic Theatre - Tickets
21 Oct - Denver, CO - The Paramount Theatre - Tickets
Lyfjaberg Video and 12" Vinyl Single • 5 Jun. 2020
To climb the Healing-mountain is a journey for the mind and spirit as much as the feet and body. Anything of true value, comes at a true cost.
Lyfjaberg was mainly filmed in the mountains at Tustna in Norway. We shot the video in early May, when all of a sudden winter decided to return with full strength and we ended up wading in half a meter snow for three days and nights. On many levels, the process of making of this video reflected the meaning of the song itself. We all had to climb a few of our inner mountains to get it done. Huge thanks to Ragnarok Film and everyone involved for jumping into this project with full force from day one. We hope you will endure the walk and enjoy the song!
The lyrics and English translations are found in the description below the video. The song is also available on all digital platforms and you can even order a special limited 12” vinyl here:
EU/rest of the world: wardruna.aisamerch.de
North America: wardruna.aisamerch.com
Lyfjaberg • 26 May 2020
When circumstances forced us to postpone the release of our upcoming album “Kvitravn”, it was clear to us that we still wanted to release new music. Music and art can potentially carry great meaning in times of uncertainty. We decided that now was not the time to stay silent and headed straight back into creative mode and the studio to write and record the song "Lyfjaberg".
The Old Norse word Lyfjaberg means Healing-hill or Healing-mountain and is known from Norse mythology and the Eddic poem Fjölsvinnsmál as a place of comfort and cure for the "sick and sore" who manage to climb the mountain and bear offerings at the shrines there – a gift demands a gift in return.
Einar Selvik comments:
"The song expresses that climbing a tough mountain, both in reality and metaphorically, is a mental as well as a physical effort. I have tried to write this journey up the mountain as one for the mind and spirit as much as the feet and body. Anything of true value, comes at a true cost."
Lyfjaberg will be available on all digital platforms on June 5th.
Cover photo by Ane Os
Grá Music Video Out Now • 21 Feb. 2020
Grá (Grey) is our song to the wolf. It speaks about the ancient bond and relationship between man and wolf. It seeks to address and acknowledge the cost and responsibility of being part of, and not above nature. Once again, we were given the opportunity go to Finland and work with a beautiful and brave rescued wolf called Tihu and her caretakers. The video was directed by our friend Tuukka Koski and his team at Koski Syväri.
Einar Selvik
Grá is also released as a single on all major digital music platforms today!
North American Tour • 11 Feb. 2020
Following the announcement of our new album ‘Kvitravn’, we are very happy to announce that we are returning to the US and Canada for a tour this fall. Tickets will be on sale Friday, February 14, 10:00 AM Local Time.
2020 US and Canada Tour Dates:
24 Sep - Charlotte, NC - Ovens Auditorium - Tickets
25 Sep - Washington, DC - Warner Theatre - Tickets
26 Sep - Brooklyn, NY - Kings Theatre - Tickets
28 Sep - Boston, MA - The Orpheum Theater - Tickets
29 Sep - Montreal, QC - M Telus - Tickets
30 Sep - Toronto, ON - Meridian Hall - Tickets
02 Oct - Chicago, IL - Auditorium Theatre - Tickets
03 Oct - Minneapolis, MN - The State Theatre - Tickets
06 Oct - Calgary, AB - Jack Singer Concert Hall - Tickets
08 Oct - Vancouver, BC - Queen Elizabeth Theatre - Tickets
09 Oct - Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre - Tickets
10 Oct - Salem, OR - Elsinore Theatre- Tickets
12 Oct - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex - Tickets
14 Oct - Oakland, CA - Paramount Theatre - Tickets
16 Oct - El Cajon, CA - Magnolia - Tickets
17 Oct - Los Angeles, CA - Orpheum Theatre - Tickets
18 Oct - Mesa, AZ - Ikeda Theatre - Tickets
20 Oct - Dallas, TX - The Majestic Theatre - Tickets
Photo by Arne Beck
Kvitravn • 7 Feb. 2020
It is with great pleasure we announce that our new album "Kvitravn" (White Raven) is set for worldwide release on June 5th, 2020 (Postponed to January 22nd, 2021). The first song will be released February 21st.
You can now pre-order the album in various formats and bundles at www.wardruna.com
We would also like to announce that our only mainland European show during the week of release is taking place on 11th of June at the Gelsenkirchen Amphitheater. You can now purchase a limited ticket/album bundle including signed tickets by Einar Selvik ahead of the regular tickets that are being released on Monday. Order here: wardruna.merchcowboy.com
US-based store, please visit: wardruna.aisamerch.com
About the album:
Following an intensive period in the studio, "Kvitravn" musically continues where the Runaljod trilogy left off, yet it marks a distinct evolution in our sound. The album features a broad selection of both traditional and historical instruments such as Kravik-lyre, Trossingen-lyre, Taglharpa, Sotharpa, Langeleik, Crwth, Goat-horn, Lur, Bronze-lur, flute, Moraharpa and the record also features guest appearances by a small group of prominent traditional singers, spearheaded by Kirsten Bråten Berg, one of the most important custodians of Norwegian traditional song. Throughout eleven songs, "Kvitravn" discusses Northern sorcery, spirit-animals, shadows, nature and animism, the wisdom and meanings of certain myths, various Norse spiritual concepts, and the relation between sage and songs.
Einar Selvik comments the album:
"To recite and copy the past is not very difficult, but to understand and integrate ancient thoughts, tools and methods with real purpose into a creation that is relevant to the modern era is truly challenging and remains our prime goal in our work. Although the album carries a variant of my own totemic artist name, it has, in this context, little to do with me but rather refers to the symbolism and legends of sacred white animals found in Nordic and other cultures all over the world. These highly regarded ghostly creatures, whether a raven, snake, bear, moose, reindeer, elephant or lion - are in animist traditions seen as prophetic, divine messengers, and guardians representing renewal, purity and a bridge between worlds."