Mechanics’ Hall & Mayo Street Arts team up to present the Swedish musicians and their unique blend of folk and electronic music. The program begins on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 7:PM EDT at Mechanics’ Hall, 519 Congress Street Portland, ME.
”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)
LarsEmil Öjeberget: accordion, stompboxes, electronics
Johannes Geworkian Hellman: hurdy-gurdy, electronics
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 imaginative 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.
Symbio – “Amnesty” Official video (hurdy-gurdy & accordion, live session)
They met during a jam-session in 2011, and when playing together for the first time – they both 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.
Symbio – “Journeys” [hurdy-gurdy & accordion]
This concert is a collaboration between Mechanics’ Hall and Mayo Street Arts.
About the sponsors: This concert is made possible by a Brooks Family Foundation Grant for Nordic Culture.
Symbio 2025 Upcoming Dates:
Sat, OCT 4: The Kennedy Center;; Washington, DC
Fri, OCT 10: Blackstone River Theatre; Cumberland, RI
Sat, OCT 11: Scandinavian Club Inc; Fairfield, CT
Sun, OCT 12: The Local; Saugerties, NY
Thu, OCT 16: Symphony Space; New York, NY
For further information: symbiomusic@gmail.com
