A simple duo comprised of confusing people, Ville & Tommie are Swedish-Finnish fiddler Ville Syri (SE/FI) and Helsinki-based Cornish accordionist Tommie Black-Roff (UK). They met while both studying at the Sibelius Academy, and now reunite over a common love of tunes, stories and dance music. Described as “masterful” by R&R Magazine, Swedish, Finnish, Cornish and modernish folk music all finds a home in their able hands.
Expect the unexpected, bring your own mustard.
Music is
dialogue
No two performances are alike. Ville & Tommie play on the edges of their seats and at the limit of their luck.
Ville & Tommie play for concert and dance, blending traditional melodies alongside original tunes. They each bring their backgrounds to the stage, whether it be a deep knowledge of Gästrikland fiddle tunes or Cornish street music. Yet in essence the duo Ville & Tommie is all about creative empathy. To be more than the some of their parts, they must inhabit each others’ playing. And in whichever setting, the dance is never far away. The groove of polska, waltz, hornpipe and schottis is the heartbeat to their tune.
Lira Magazine
Ville Syri
Ville Syri is a finnish-swedish fiddler from Gävle in Gästrikland. He grew up in a Finnish diaspora with his parents dancing and stomping to the music of Finland. Ville Studied classical music and jazz at Birka and Bollnäs folkhögskola.
Tommie Black-Roff
Tommie Black-Roff is a musician and composer who grew up in Cornwall in the far south west of the UK. From a young age was immersed in local Cornish folk, classical and church music, settling on the accordion and piano as his main instruments. After a brief stint as an Ethnomusicologist, in 2017 he moved to the Nordic Countries as part of the NoFo group Farandi. Here Tommie delved into Swedish and Finnish folk music, while also branching into improvisation, dance and electronics. He is active with the bands TEYR, Ville & Tommie and Värivarjo. He also loves dancing.