Following Wardruna’s performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, CO in October this year, the Norwegian collective is donating $1 per sold ticket of the performance to The Firekeeper Alliance. This is an indigenous cause recently instated in the Blackfeet Reservation, Browning, Montana. Wardruna will also perform on the tribal lands of the Blackfeet Nation, in July 2025, headlining Fire In The Mountains.
With the donation, the Norwegian group puts word to action, further establishing a previously announced partnership between the Blackfeet Nation and Fire In The Mountains. By cooperating with this non-profit the donation will be used for a cause directly supporting the local community where the festival is held.
The funds are invested in facilitating a Heavy Music Symposium class being offered at the Buffalo Hide Academy and Browning High school in spring 2025. The purpose of the class is to illustrate the coping potential and interconnectedness that the expressive arts provide.
Main composer Einar Selvik states on behalf of Wardruna: “We are grateful for the chance to constructively stand with indigenous needs and to work with people who genuinely seek to create positive changes and opportunities for the Blackfeet Nations tribal lands and its people. Sustainability, by way of creating a multitude of synergies is the way forward and we are honored to take part.”
Charlie Speicher, Executive Director of The Firekeeper Alliance comments: “It is incredibly humbling to receive support like this from Wardruna, By Norse and AISAmusic helping us create more safety and protective factors in the Blackfeet Nation. Words do not express what this donation means to not only us at FITM and Firekeeper Alliance, but especially to the communities who live within the Blackfeet Reservation.”
The Firekeeper Alliance is committed to reducing suicide rates among the Blackfeet Nation and other Indigenous communities in Montana through culturally inclusive mental health support, education, advocacy, and community-wide postvention initiatives. The organization aims to indigenize and destigmatize current constructs and clinical interventions regarding suicidal behavior in Indian Country, to keep the sacred fires of life burning in Tribal communities.
Wardruna is set to headline Fire In The Mountains 2025, July 25-27. By Norse Music, the label founded by Wardruna composer Einar Selvik (Wardruna, Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik), Ivar Bjørnson (Enslaved, BardSpec, Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik) and Simon Füllemann (AISAmusic), will curate a musical experience at the festival.
Pictured above, ffrom left to right: Charlie Speicher - The Firekeeper Alliance, Einar Selvik - Wardruna, Robert Hall - Blackfeet Nation, Eilif Gundersen - Wardruna, Nick Rink - Blackfeet Nation
Wardruna recently released a live video for “Lyfjaberg" (Live At The Acropolis), from the band’s forthcoming concert film, Live At The Acropolis (available on DVD/Blu-Ray on January 24).
Each of Wardruna’s performances bridges the ancient and the elemental, resonating with audiences in a profoundly human and natural way, and this recording of "Lyfjaberg" serves as a powerful example of that connection. Filmed at the UNESCO World Heritage site, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, at the Acropolis in Athens during the autumn equinox on September 21, 2023, the forthcoming concert film captures a once-in-a-lifetime performances.
The song is featured on the Einar Selvik-helmed band’s forthcoming album, Birna (January 24, Sony Music/By Norse Music). Birna was written and recorded over three years, with music by Selvik and longtime collaborator/vocalist Linda-Fay Hella, and lyrics solely by Selvik. Performers on the album include Eilif Gundersen (bukkehorn, lur, flute, backing vocals), HC Dalgaard (drums, percussion, backing vocals), Sondre Veland (percussion, backing vocals), John Stenersen (mora-harp) and Arne Sandvoll (percussion, backing vocals).
Birna and Live At The Acropolis pre-orders are available here, with the new album available on limited-edition vinyl, CD and digitally.
Birna cover, photo by Tuukka Koski with artwork by Øivind A. Myksvoll.
Birna tracklisting:
"Hertan"
"Birna"
"Ljos til Jord"
"Dvaledraumar"
"Jord til Ljos"
"Himinndotter"
"Hibjørnen"
"Skuggehesten"
"Tretale"
"Lyfjaberg"
"Hibjørnen" video:
“Himinndotter” video:
"Hertan" video:
"Lyfjaberg" video:
From the Runaljod album trilogy (2009, 2013, 2016), exploring old Norse myths, traditions, and language through the 24 proto-Norse runes, the sound of Wardruna evolved and blended into the stripped down, acoustic compositions on Skald (2018). The group’s most recent album, Kvitravn (White-Raven) (2021), explored Northern sorcery, spirit-animals, animism, and the act of creation – the ever-interchanging prolific relationship between the skaldic poet and nature itself. The record charted in 13 countries, including #1 in Canada and Austria, and #2 in Germany. Wardruna has performed at multiple manmade historical locations including Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Acropolis, Bulgaria’s Ancient Theater of Philipoppolis, as well as locations set amidst natural wonders such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. Alongside his work with Wardruna, Einar Selvik has composed music for large tv and game productions such as “Vikings” and “Assassin’s Creed – Valhalla,” he gives tutorials and lectures on Old Norse literature, musicology, instruments and philosophy, and he has worked with renowned artists such as Mari Boine, Tina Guo, Matoma and Eivør, including appearances on Norwegian, Danish and Polish national television.
(Top photo - Wardruna at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Colorado, by Al Overdrive)
