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A Summer Road Trip through Finland

by Benjami of Maa ilmasta

Maa ilmasta
Photographed by Tero Ahonen


Since the 1960s, Finland has had a rich tradition of instrumental rock, jazz, and fusion led by world-class musicians and groups. This tradition possesses unique stillness and melancholy, characteristic of the Finnish mindscape. Influences from folk music can often be heard, where the most delicately composed minor chords tell stories of beauty and joy rather than sadness.

Luova Records continues this tradition by releasing the second album of my band, Maa ilmasta. The title of the album is Kaunis kesäkaupunki, ’beautiful summer city’. The name is humoristic in a very Finnish, ironic way. More than a genuine description of a specific city, the statement can be used as a cheap compliment for essentially any Finnish city—even the less outstanding ones.

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The world is rotten, and somebody needs to sing the blues about it.

by Uncle Wormwood

The world is rotten, and somebody needs to sing the blues about it. by Uncle Wormwood
Not necessarily me, but hey, I’m doing it anyways!

I am Uncle Wormwood, the harbinger of doom & gloom, a one-man band from the mountains of central Finland, specializing in doom-blues, death-country and folk-noir. Armed with home-made percussions, shitty guitars, and a deep growly voice, I’m on a mission to spread my gospel of death and destruction all over the world.

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Via Baltica. Boulevard Of Dreams.

by Maekkelae

Via Baltica. Boulevard of dreams. by Maekkelae
Glamour? Stardom? Fame? Money? Is this it? That what you’re in for? Then you’re missing out on the real thing. On the hardship to inspire you. On the failure that’ll make you stronger. On the losses that’ll teach you there is more to it than things. On all of what’ll make you put your soul into your songs. Believe me, they will understand. They will know by the way you sing them. And they’ll laugh and cry and weep and smile. Once you’ve seen this, you’re on the right track.

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