Press release 5.7.2017
A good hour of coverage Paula Koivuniemen of the best-loved hits and folk songs is a guaranteed emotional concert. First-time visitors to Kaustinen will be looking forward to a performance with a different kind of orchestra.
”It's great to hear familiar songs arranged for folk instruments. This is definitely one of the highlights of my summer,” the star enthuses.
When Kaustinen offered the gig, Koivuniemi contacted the accordionist Niko Kumpuvaaraa. The artistic director of the 100-Häme Soi festival was immediately inspired by the idea of designing and arranging music for Paula's Kaustinen concert.
”The song selection was fun,” Kumpuvaara recalls. ”We would sit at Paula's house and sing old folk songs from the music books of her late musician father.”
The first musician to join the production was the drummer in Paula's band Anssi Nykänen, who started to work enthusiastically on the idea of a Kaustis concert. Otherwise, Kumpuvaara wanted the orchestra to be made up of professionals from the folk genre. The musicians of Koivuniemi Goes Folk are violinists familiar from many contemporary folk music ensembles Tero Hyväluoma and Tommi Asplund, versatile guitarist and string virtuoso Jarmo Julkunen, bassist for several jazz bands Juho Kivivuori and the number one of the few hobbyists Pekko Käppi. Kumpuvaara himself plays the accordion.
The concert programme is varied, but not everything is announced in advance. ”While on one side there's Luullahan jotta auf lysti sein, on the other side there's Aikuinen nainen,” says Kumpuvaara. ”And even though Paula's style is ahead of the game, the music has a completely different sound, with violins and horns setting the tone for the arrangements,” says the conductor.
Paula Koivuniemi Goes Folk Sat 15.7. at 20, Keskipohjanmaa-areena
Bright folk music
”Music is music regardless of genre,” summarises Pekko Käppi, which has proved that the jouhiko can do anything. Käppi is one of the soloists in the Kirka tribute. The others are the singer-bassist and blues doctor Aija Puurtinen and Kira's childhood friend, a 1970s pop favourite Kisu Jernström, which also promises to share memories and open up the background of the songs.
Each guest soloist will perform three songs and the concert will be composed and arranged by guitarist-violinist-singer Anssi Salminen the remaining four.
”Respecting the originals, but with a sprinkling of folk spirit”, the arranger describes his work.
In addition to Salminen, the Kaustinen House Band also includes Ville Ojanen (violin, bouzouki), Markus Luomala (accordion), Juha Kujanpää (keyboards) and Tarmo Anttila (bass). Juha Kujanpää has arranged one song, Salminen the rest.
Compiled ten years ago in honour of the late Kirka, the tribute features some of the biggest hits of her long career, from the swinging Okolona River Bottom Band to the weepy hits Anna Hand and You Wiped My Eyes of Sorrow.
”I listened to Kirka especially as a child, in fact since the age of five, when my father brought tapes from Kokkola. She is a great singer and a great character,” says Anssi Salminen.
Tribute to Kirka Tue 11.7. at 21, Keskipohjanmaa-areena
Interpreters of emotions, the lovely Erin and the charismatic Samuli Edelmann
Erin brings to the Kaustinen stage material from his new Seliseli album, which has been informed by three years of life events. Erin says she has had a couple of children, remembered the past, planned for the future, grieved, rejoiced and grown up. Her hit album Hunningolla, released in 2011, went triple platinum, selling more than 60 000 copies. Three years ago, the album Sä osaat! (You can do it!) went platinum, with 20 000 albums sold. Erin has found an audience with her touching interpretations.
Thu 13.7. at 21.30, Keskipohjanmaa-areena
Samuli Edelmann is one of Finland's most beloved interpreters and actors. His extensive career, which has spanned more than 20 years, includes successful albums and hits as well as great performances in TV and film. In an atmospheric concert in Kaustinen, Edelmann performs with his small ensemble.
Fri 14.7. at 19, Keskipohjanmaa-areena
Kaustinen Folk Music Festival 10.-16.7.2017
For more information and interview requests:
Information Manager
Tove Djupsjöbacka
p. 040-6585340
press(at)kaustinen.net