About
Lávre Johan Eira is a Sámi artist, joiker and musician from the Sámi village of Guovdageaidnu in the Norwegian side of Sápmi. His musical expression is deeply rooted in the indigenous Sámi joik tradition, yet always exploring new impulses in the world of Sámi music. Joik and song are at the center of his live performances - sometimes solo with a guitar and effects setup, and other times together with a varied ensemble of inspiring musicians.
Lávre’s distinctive sound is exploratory yet grounded, shaped by the strange mosaic of life, its fractures and continuities, trauma, healing, and what exists in between. His musical world draws from themes often kept a bit out of sight within Sámi culture, combining intuitive guitar playing and lyrics based on the rich metaphorical storytelling found in old joiks.
Stretching across genres and generations, Lávre balances tradition with innovation in his debut album Vuložat, which roughly translates to "The Things Below", released in 2024 to strong critical reception in the Sámi and Norwegian press. The album is a collection of songs with both traditional and contemporary joik, and the result of many years of meticulous work. Vuložat reflects the beginning of a descent into hidden inner worlds and Lávre’s personal mythology, interwoven with Sámi history and ancestral memories.
Lávre performs widely across Sápmi and the Nordic countries, being a regular at the indigenous Riddu Riđđu festival and performing on stages like Øyafestivalen, Kirkhellern at Træna, and the Norwegian Opera House. Lávre has won songwriting awards at Sámi Music Awards, and won Sámi Grand Prix together with Hildá Länsman. His music has taken him around the world, with performances in New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia and Scotland.
In addition to his solo work, Lávre has experience composing joik-based music and creating commissioned musical works for institutions like TIFF, The Norwegian Opera and Ballet, Elle Sofe Company, Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum, Nordover Svalbard, and Hamsunsenteret. He has performed extensively both solo and in collaboration with artists like Jakop Janssønn, Hildá Länsman/Tuomas Norvio, Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen, Emil Kárlsen, Katarina Barruk, Svein Schultz and Svante Henryson.