Suõmmkar is a band that blends traditional Skolt Sámi music — such as leuʹdd and the quadrille — with contemporary world music, incorporating folk, rock, and pop influences. The album is titled ‘Peäccam da Paččjokk’ (referring to Petsamo and the Paatsjoki); the name alludes to two historic Skolt Sámi siidas — traditional Sámi communities or settlements — where the families of the band’s vocalists, Anna Lumikivi-Lemmetty and Hanna-Maaria Kiprianoff, lived prior to the evacuations.
‘Peäccam da Paččjokk’ is the band’s second album. While the majority of existing archival recordings originate from Suonikylä — a larger siida that encompassed the aforementioned settlements — this album focuses specifically on the traditions of those two particular siidas. The tracklist includes, among other pieces, old leuʹdds from the Petsamo siida (such as Peäccamvuõn leuʹdd, Luʹǩǩ, Riiǥu âʹlǧǧ, and parts of Kättaž da Däärmež leuʹdd) as well as two traditional dance songs (Korobuška and Obtšikruugg) to which the Skolt Sámi people used to dance. The lyrics for the song Obtšikruugg and its newly composed sections are the work of Anna Lumikivi-Lemmetty; the joyful sounds of the composer’s own children playing can be heard in the background.
The album features both traditional compositions and new material composed by Anna Lumikivi-Lemmetty and Hanna-Maaria Kiprianoff. One of the tracks was composed by guest musician Katri Kittilä (grand piano and harmonium). The arrangements reflect various emotional landscapes; the artists hope that, while listening, the audience can process different layers of grief, wistfulness, gratitude, and love.
The band Suõmmkar:
Anna Lumikivi-Lemmetty – leuʹdd, vocals
Hanna-Maaria Kiprianoff – leuʹdd, vocals
Marko Jouste – mandolin, baroque guitar
Pessi Jouste – violin
Uula Jouste – bass
Elias Nieminen – drums, percussion
The physical version of the album includes a QR code that provides access to the song lyrics, as well as information about the creators, supporters, and acknowledgments.