We have to see to see

Somehow this started playing in my head today while I was out riding with a friend. I made a mental note to listen to them in the evening, and that's just what I did. After a year of neglect, they really hit the spot. Some amazing tunes...

There will come a golden dawn

Inhale the winter

My curtains were no match for the bright rays of sunlight and thus I was woken by a sky void of clouds. For once, the sub-zero temperature ought to last through the day and the accumulated ice should not melt. Nothing brings me such tranquility as cloudless winter days and nights, when breathing in the cold, clear air you realize you are breathing in the winter itself. The colder, the better.

To match that feeling, I enjoy minimalistic and/or cold soundscapes. In previous winter posts I've already mentioned artists such as Paysage D'hiver and Sunn O))), but for some reason Carbon Based Lifeforms hasn't been brought up. The atmospheric ambient worlds created by this duo are truly soothing and inspiring. Just close your eyes, open your mind and breathe in the cold air.

It's that month...

So let the mo grow. If not to promote prostate cancer awareness, then because mos look good. Ladies, please remember that latter point and be supportive. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, look here. Here's an example of a fine gentleman who bore his mo with pride, may he rest in peace:

And for the Finnish speakers out there:

Mind in the clouds

We've reached that part of autumn where everything freezes at night, but melts during the day. Snowfall in the morning turns to rain and sleet as the day progresses. The sun is a rare sight. Clouds of various densities roll over the city and mark the slow passage of time. What better way to spend grey days like these than by sipping good coffee and undertaking an auditory venture to Cloud city by tuning to Betrayal at Bespin, especially their latest album, Rains.

I was introduced to the band a short while ago by one of the members, whom I met through cycling circles. I was instantly hooked to their vast world of sound and melancholy, almost hopeless songs, which flow like the clouds in different intensities, suddenly turning from a thin acoustic haze to an all out storm of raging electric guitar and wailing sax. Their music is no stroll in the park, it won't soothe your inner pain or bring a smile to your face. But if you do feel a bit melancholy or sentimental on a cloudy day and want to hear what you see and feel, this is what you need.

Restful, I yearn to be

A long day at the office. With a lot of InDesign and Photoshop, and some Illustrator on top, another magazine of our student organization has been sent to be printed.

After some time spent in the sauna, I am attempting to cure my restless mind, only half caused by the long day, with candles, a drop of Caol Ila Distillers Ed and an amazing, soothing tune:

This song is a collaboration between the Finnish neofolk band Nest and one my long time favorites, Agalloch. The traditional Finnish folk instruments usually utilized by Nest are joined by vocals and guitars by Haughm and Anderson of Agalloch. The result is a journey deep into the elder woods, where one is surrounded by the tall tress.

Cease of silence

A while back I promised I'd give some credit to the creative works of my friends. What better way to break this long streak of inactivity than by drawing attention to a project comprising of two beautiful and brilliant personas, both of whom I wish to see every time I venture into Helsinki.

Behold, Café de Abejas!

Not just a duo, but a couple. Two individuals that share a passion for the early 1900s and are able to bring it to life in their clever lyrics and melodies. Although their music is best served live at an intimate milieu, they have produced a rather neat music video that is able to catch some of their unique feel.

They are currently in the process of recording their first album and need all the support that they can get. If you were as spellbound by their sound and expression as I am, check out some of their earlier recordings in Soundcloud.

Freeze this moment a little bit longer

The summer is progressing awfully fast and although it hasn't been all that summery weather- or otherwise, it's been full of memorable moments that bring this song to mind. Thanks to all the people who've been part of summer 2012 so far and to those that have yet to appear.

Videos of music

Rarely have I given music videos the attention that they actually deserve. I've always watched very little TV and videos of bands belonging to my preferred genres probably never made it to MTV's top10. This has changed a lot with the internet and services like the tubes of you. Yet still I mostly ignore the videos when I check out some new band's music or new music of an old band. Some videos, however, have left me gaping at their awesomeness. Solstafir's Fjara I've already linked, so instead of that I'll provide you with some other eye-, soul- and ear-catching audiovisual gems.

First off is one that a friend just shared with me and that also inspired this post. The scale of the nostalgia it evoked almost brought me to tears. Almost. Supposedly the band has some other good one's, but I haven't checked them out yet.

Next up is something that followed an awesome night in the company of some of the greatest people on earth. We'd enjoyed delicious food, wine and coffee, it was around 4 am and one of my friends decided to show us this. It was beautiful then and every time since it has not only spellbound me with it's expressiveness, but also brought the warm memories of that initial night to mind. They also have other great videos, so look up White Winter Hymnal and Mykonos, if you're up to it.

Last but not least is one of my long time favorites. It's message is also that of nostalgia and it always brings a smile on my face. And how cool is it that Icelandic has a verb for "jumping into puddles"?!?

An ordinary Tuesday morning

From one thing to something else

So I was in a rush, typing an essay on innovation policy and public financing of private r&d innovation activities, listening to the Solar Field's newest album Until We Meet The Sky. It was more background music, I wasn't really paying it a lot of attention as I'd listened through the album before with more mind (plus, it's downtempo spaceambient whatnot...).  Then I noticed that the title track of the album started playing and my focus shifted from the essay to the music. I got a very Sigur Ros vibe from it and decided to check what they've been up to... Surprisingly (not), they'd just turned out a new album and of course I was forced to check some of it out. I'm not going to get into that now, maybe once I get my hands on the actual thing, but here's the Solar Fields' song and Sigur Ros' "Glosoli". Shockingly similar, yet so different.

Oh... and I really should get back to that essay... darns.

Post-punk isn't dead!

An acquaintance linked this EP last week and the music immediately lodged itself in my head. For the first time in years, I found myself buying a bands work within the first hour of hearing them.

EDIT: The EP is no longer available for streaming on soundcloud, but here's one of the tracks from the tubes of you:

A small part

Time has passed, not much has changed. I have taken to writing on paper again and have hardly listened to any tunes. For now, I'll share with you some words and sounds. The words are by Pascal Mercier (pseudonym of Peter Bieri), from his book Night Train To Lisbon.

"Given that we can only live a small part of what there is in us - what happens with the rest?"

Mobbed!

So I opened the (telemark) skiing season today. On impulse, I linked a random telemark video onto my facebook in the morning before getting to the real action. After a few watches, I found it pretty neat. Then I noticed the music. Here is the skiing vid:

Now in the evening, I was supposed to fill out a couple of job applications and even film a couple of clips of myself for one. Instead, I got lost in The Glitch Mob:

Type O Negative - Everyone I love Is Dead

Worth mentioning

I have many friends and acquaintances who create things. They create sounds and images, words and tastes, chills and thrills. I feel ashamed, for I have not spent a single word on this blog to praise and share the creative works of my friends. That changes now.

This weekend the winners of the Finnish Metal Awards were announced at the Finnish Metal Expo held in Helsinki (see the FME site  for winners and top nominees). I was dismayed but not surprised that Turisas won a bunch of awards with their newest album, which in my opinion was boring and repetitive and certainly not worth the attention they received. I was expecting to at least see Moonsorrow in the top-ten lists, for their "Varjoina Kuljemme Kuolleiden Maassa" was one of the best albums and probably the best Finnish album of last year.

I was, however, overjoyed when I noticed the top newcomers of 2011. Of the ten bands mentioned I must mention two. First, there's Brymir, who made it to seventh place. I have followed their progress since they formed in 2006, as half of the original line-up consisted of my old classmates. They are all extremely talented musicians and I'm sure the band will continue to develop and create even more epic soundscapes in the future. Here is one of my favorite songs from their debut:

Second is Constantine. They were chosen the best newcomer of 2011 and they've certainly earned it. Although I have only had the pleasure of knowing the band for less then two years, during that time I've seen them perform plenty of shows and each time I have been blown off my feet. When they announced in 2010 of their new record deal, I new something great would come out of it. I'll let the music speak for itself:

Congratulations to both bands! As a personal reward for them, I shall finally go through and send them photos that I've taken from their gigs during the past two years :D

They come in peace!

Sorry for the long silence... needless to say, I've been busy. So have other people, as I have an outstanding movie trailer to share... The long wait is almost over and the theatrical trailer for Iron Sky is here! Please enjoy and spread the word: THEY COME IN PEACE!

The beach-season is here!

From the activity on Solstafir's Facebook page over the couple of months, I'm sure I wasn't the only one waiting for this to come out. And when it did two days ago (Jan 17th), I for one thing, forgot to post it here. I'm not that much into music videos, but this one's a real treat. The imagery and landscapes of Iceland is breathtaking and the mood absolutely heart-wrenching. A must see for anyone. ANYONE!

No-sleep-jazz

I'm back home and just when I thought my sleeping rhythm had adjusted, I end up rolling about in my bed for around six hours with no sleep. Anyway, I arrived in Finland on Monday and spent two nights in Helsinki, before heading back north. It was snowing for the entire train-ride and kept snowing until today. It's winter here, finally. Cold, white, winter.

A friend of mine was in Japan for new years and happened to link a song by the deceased Jun Seba, aka Nujabes. Some might've run into a mediocre anime series, Samurai Champloo. This man was behind the music. This is not the song linked or one from the anime, but it is a stunning example of what jazz samples can accomplish in the hands of a genius.

Only the wind remembers my name

Over three weeks in the US. The journey back home starts tomorrow. We had some local military officers and their families over for dinner today and I must say I'm done with small talk and other superficial bullshit for at least a couple of months. What I really need is a silent, freezing winter night, so I can walk in the woods, breathe in the cold air, feel the night inside me and be one with it. I miss you, home, the place where the quiet ones dwell.