10 Finnish songs about and inspired by nature
Mopo: “Luonto Kutsuu”
(from the album Beibe, Texicalli Records 2014)
As a very organic jazz trio at heart, it’s fitting that Mopo should take a stand to defend all things natural. According to band members Linda Fredriksson, Eero Tikkanen and Eeti Nieminen, this track has been inspired by the widespread maltreatment of much of the nature and wildlife around. The composition itself is a haunting tribute to the voiceless victims of human indifference. Just listen to Fredriksson’s sax take the melodic lead early on in a fittingly melancholy fashion against the surprising backdrop of the Jew’s harp.
Flame Jazz Messengers: “No Blue-Green Alga, Please”
(from the album Port Arthur, Fredriksson Music 2016)
Flame Jazz Messengers is a fresh jazz act on the Finnish musical map and on its new album, Port Arthur, the group takes things on to a nautical level. The commentary here is pretty straightforward, addressing the ominously rising stock of the blue-green algae on the Baltic Sea. The Flame Jazz Messengers ensemble is led by drummer-composer (on other occasions also pianist) Jussi Fredriksson and vibraphonist Severi Pyysalo.
Lau Nau: “Painovoimaa, valoa”
(from the album Nukkuu, Fonal Records 2008)
A delightfully abstract take on the natural elements surrounding us, namely gravity and light. Lau Nau (aka Laura Naukkarinen) is one of the leading artists in the so-called “forest folk” movement to come out of Finland during the late 2000s thanks to Tampere’s Fonal Records. Many of her tracks sound as if they are sonic extensions of the nature surrounding us, even without addressing creatures or elements of nature as such.
Ultra Bra: “Hauki”
(from the album Kroketti, Johanna kustannus 1997)
“Hauki (the pike) is a happy fish with a flat head”, sing the generation-defining polit-pop group Ultra Bra on their 1997 release Kroketti. What’s more, they ensure that the fish will be awarded at the “National Fish Convention”. Lest we forget: the pike is a predator with 700+ teeth ready to attack everything in sight, but maybe this particular fish here is a more benign fellow than most of its mates seem to be.
The Mystic Revelation of Teppo Repo: “Paimen kohtaa suden”
(from the album The Mystic Revelation of Teppo Repo, Helmi Levyt 2014)
The wolf is a somewhat mythological creature in Finland – and also one inspiring heated debate – especially along the eastern border towards the northern parts of the country. The Mystic Revelation of Teppo Repo is an ensemble that mines the archives to draw inspiration from the shepherd/musician Teppo Repo. In this episode, “Paimen kohtaa suden”, the shepherd meets the wolf – in a dub kind of musical surroundings.
Iro Haarla: “Persevering the Winter”
(from the album Ante Lucem, ECM 2016)
Composer/pianist/harpist Iro Haarla touches on one of the key issues for any northern nation on this composition, released on the famed ECM Records on the brand new album Ante Lucem. Of the track, Haarla says: “It is an allegory for the long winter season in the north and its different atmospheres. It is a time of hibernation, a long period of darkness and clear, frosty days with snow-covered landscapes. The northern winds sweep mercilessly over the horizon. Life in the forest continues silently and nature will survive.” See also the review of Ante Lucem here.
Vladislav Delay: “Minus Degrees, Bare Feet, Tickles”
(from the album Vladislav Delay Quartet, Honest Jon’s 2011)
Vladislav Delay, aka Sasu Ripatti, leads his quartet through an abstract reading of what is a familiar situation to most northern inhabitants. This track, bordering on a genre which some might call “electronic noise”, literally feels like walking on frosty ice. Yes, it tickles. Like this.
Hurjat Silmät: “Kissa”
(from the album Hurjat Silmät, El Camino Records 2014)
The awe-inspiring children’s duo Hurjat Silmät (“Wild Eyes”) sing about a cat “whose name is Goethe Mopo Aurinko (Goethe Moped Sun) and whose real name is Matroskin”. Apparently it is a special kind of cat because it is “cute, friendly, purring and cute”. A wonderful tribute to an apparently equally wonderful animal from the domestic end of the local fauna.
Puunhalaaja: “Päivänkakkaroita”
(from the album Puunhalaaja, Soliti Records 2015)
The singer-songwriter Puunhalaaja (“Tree Hugger”) sings about a lei made of daisies and the mood here seems to be of an oddly perfect, lazy and mosquito-free sunny day. Everything is slightly askew, just in the right way. The dewy grass makes toes slightly wet. (Actually he seems to be singing about a failed relationship but, if you’re not hip to the language, just better think about daisies as you listen to this fine piece of modern Finnish folkish indie pop.)
Pekka Streng: “Puutarhassa”
(from the album Kesämaa, Love Records 1972)
The primal work of Finnish hippie folk-jazz, “Puutarhassa” (“In the Garden”) paints an intricate and mysterious image of a thriving garden and its dwellers. The key line is “Roope-Hattu kertoo niille tarinoita / sillä kukat ovat hyviä kuuntelijoita”, which basically tells you that flowers are really good listeners so you can read them stories. Complete with bird whistles, “Puutarhassa” is a loving, colourful portrait of where nature meets the household. The classic album (Kesämaa is Finnish for “Summer Land”) also includes several other tributes to lovely things found in and around nature. Fun fact: “Puutarhassa” was the first track ever to be aired on Radio Helsinki, back in 2001.
