This summer, Kaustinen Folk Music Festival is once again proud to present three great bands that have been given the opportunity to perform in the festival's showcase series. The 2017 showcase bands are the Swedish sister bands Duo Systrami, Perpetuum Lokomobile, which draws from both Finnish-Ugric archive recordings and ambient, and the Oulu-based roots music group Marko Siekkinen & Toivoniemi Reservaatti.
Duo Systrami: ”We are inspired by the nature of our home region and the dynamics between the twins”
Swedish Duo Systrami is the twin sisters' Fanny and Klara Källström an intimate configuration. They have been playing together since they were children, and now, with violin and cello, they've created a chunky playing mangroove that can also be heard on their debut album, released last autumn. The repertoire is made up of their own compositions.
”Musically, we are inspired by two things: the nature of our home region Ångermanland and the dynamics between the twins,” says violinist Fanny Källström. ”Both are very dynamic. Ångermanland is a hilly region, there are valleys and mountains, and there is a kind of mysticism in the nature. This is also reflected in our music, many of the songs are about different natural phenomena.”
The title of the debut album is När isen går (When the ice leaves). The relationship between the twin sisters is also full of drama and dynamics.
”Our father is a musician and we have always played together a lot. The relationship between the twins is kind of a matter of life and death. We know each other as well as you can know someone else, and when we perform we can each be completely ourselves.”
Originally, both sisters played the violin. The violin and cello duo is a little less common in folk music, but they think it works very well.
”Nowadays we study classical music full time. Each genre draws a lot from the other, it just feels good. Our studies have also taken us to different cities: me in Malmö and Klara in Stockholm.”
Duo Systrami in Kaustinen:
Mon 10.7. at 19.00, Café Mondo
Tue 11.7. at 16.45, Iholla hall
Perpetuum Lokomobile: ”Creating soundscapes rather than songs”
The members of Perpetuum Lokomobile met at the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts, where they all currently study. The chemistry hit a chord with the guitarist Juska at Lake Ojajärvi, violinist Nea-Maria Korpelanen, percussionist Minna Koskenlahti and sound designer Mikko Kolehmaisella. As is the case with contemporary folk music in general, the band's music contains both old traditional layers and fresh new ones.
”We have tried to find elements in folk music from different cultures that interest us, things that can be combined,” says Juska Ojajärvi. ”We've listened to a lot of archival tapes, especially from Finnish peoples, and learned things and been inspired by them.”
The end result can sound very different from the tape from which it is taken. There is a lot of improvisation in the Perpetuum Lokomobile spirit.
”We leave a lot of space so that things can happen in the moment,” says Ojajärvi, describing the band's way of working. ”We also start with images, creating soundscapes rather than songs.”
The archives may be inspired by, for example, a Viennese joiko or an old fiddle-playing tradition. Equally, however, music includes the music of the surrounding society in its various forms.
”We don't draw very strict boundaries between different types of music. You can hear machine music influences and ambient music, but also art music like Bach.”
Perpetuum Lokomobile in Kaustinen:
Wed 13.7. at 22.00, Wiljami
Thu 14.7. at 18.30, Café Mondo
Marko Siekkinen & Toivoniemi Reservaatti: ”I started making songs as soon as I learned to write”
Oulu-based Marko Siekkinen & Toivoniemi Reservaatti is a collective united by a love of roots music. In its current form, the group has been playing together for less than a year. The group will release its debut album at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival.
”I've always had a soft spot in my heart for roots music, even though I've been involved in many different kinds, from heavy music onwards,” says Marko Siekkinen.
The current style of music draws on folk and bluegrass, and the enthusiasm for this style brought the musicians together one by one. Marko Siekkinen (vocals, guitar, mandolin and harmonica), Arto Louhela (dobro, banjo, guitar and backing vocals), Matti Niemi (bass and background vocals), Anniina Polvi (accordion, mandolin, keyboards, backing vocals) and Johanna Laurila (violin, background vocals).
“Arto and I have known each other since we were little boys. Our four-piece band has been touring for almost two years, but violinist Johanna only joined us last winter.”
At the heart of the music are the songs written by Marko Siekkinen. He is a journalist by profession, so writing is vital in many contexts. He has also written lyrics for other artists such as Aki Louhela and Johanna Pakonen.
“I started making songs as soon as I learned to write. I had to make my own! I haven't pushed my songs on anyone, but through people I know, they've been passed on to others.”
Marko Siekkinen & Toivoniemi Reserve is currently in an active period. During the winter, Matti Niemi's studio has been recording their debut album, which will be released in time for the Kaustinen festival. The other musicians have visited Kaustinen before, but Marko Siekkinen himself is looking forward to his first visit.
Marko Siekkinen & Toivoniemi reserve in Kaustinen:
Fri 14.7. at 19.45, Café Mondo
Sat 15.7. at 22.30, Kallioklubi
For more information and interview requests:
Head of Information Tove Djupsjöbacka
040-6585340
press(a)kaustinen.net