Symbio

“I have a feeling that Johannes Geworkian Hellman and LarsEmil Öjeberget were destined to make music together, regardless of what instruments they might have played.” – Fiona Talkington, Songlines Magazine (UK)

”Geworkian and Öjeberget continue to demonstrate a very symbiotic musical relationship, a mutually beneficial interaction that leads to some very unique instrumental musical conversations.The duo is clearly out to create an innovative sonic kaleidoscope of emotional colors.”– Joe Ross, Roots Music Report (US)

“I have a feeling that Johannes Geworkian Hellman and LarsEmil Öjeberget were destined to make music together, regardless of what instruments they might have played.” – Fiona Talkington, Songlines Magazine (UK)

“It’s highly personal, it’s an album to dream about, to be influenced by, to feel good about. This is grand art!” – Swedish Folk music magazine Spelmannen

”Two masterful musicians, who completely find each other and who purify beautiful melodies from that – what more could one ask for from a record?”– Dani Heyvaert Rootstime (BE)

“The Swedish duo Symbio kidnapped the audience in to a world of Nordic folk music. The duo thrilled the audience with unique and melodic sounds of hurdy-gurdy and accordion. Professional and above all international music.” – Siegener Zeitung (Daily newspaper, DE)

“Symbio rejuvenize Swedish Folk with hurdy gurdy and accordion. With traditional folk, minimal music and tenderly woven electronic sounds they create an atmospheric hypnotic sound, which you need to listen to!”– InMusic (DE)

“The audience of the, despite the warm autumn weather, well-attended event was completely thrilled by this brilliant start to the series.” – Rolf Graff, Mindener Tageblatt (DE)

“Symbio, sounds that celebrate life! Joy and sorrow, longing, melancholy: The audience was always emotinally close to „Symbio“ so that this Nordic cosmos of sounds became an especially long lasting experience – simply great.” – Westfälische Anzeiger (DE)

”Hurdy-gurdy and accordion have always been a popular combination, but what Johannes Geworkian Hellman and Lars Emil Öjeberget deliver on their third album takes these instruments to a new level. Their compositions are elegiac, dreamy, wallowing in great imaginative, cinematic melodies, then mesmerizing again and the next moment pulsating, exciting and emotionally touching. They create a sound cosmos in which the two musicians form a truly symbiotic unit and
become soul mates” – FOLKER music magazine (DE)

Symbio is regarded as one of the most prominent new bands from the Nordic Folk & World music scene. With a magical interplay of hurdy-gurdy & accordion, an electrifying stage presence and captivating original compositions – the duo has become known as a phenomenon and have toured extensively in more than 20 countries – Europe, USA and Canada. In 2023 the duo was chosen to perform as the Official Showcase Artist Selection at WOMEX – World Music Expo.

The music of Symbio has been described as mesmerizing and soulful – where virtuoso folk & electronic dance music meet and becomes a cinematic experience for the listener. Hearing this symphonic duo makes you doubt about the fact that they are only two musicians on stage. Their latest album Endeavour is a sound painting where heartfelt melodies, dreamy soundscapes and hypnotic beats depict life-affirming themes. The album was awarded ”Best Album of the Year” at the Swedish Folk & World music Awards 2023.

They met during a jam-session in 2011, and when playing together for the first time – they felt that there was a special energy and musical connection between them. Right there, after their very first meeting – they decided to form Symbio. Since then, their journey as a duo continues to take them to new places, musically and geographically.

Symbios fourth album will be released in 2025.