World Music School (WMS) Open Mic at the Helsinki Open Waves
A 40 min live show, moderated by Pedro Aibéo, chairman of the WMS at the Helsinki Open Waves in Caisa. Every 4th Wednesday of the month at 16:00 Finnish time.
The show invites musicians to talk about their work and lives and play live music. The goal is to promote local artists, preferably from foreign backgrounds and around world music. The interview is done in different languages (EN, PT, DE, ES, FR).
Expressive voice, deep-rooted kantele and inventive percussion: fleet-fingered virtuoso and one-woman band Maija Kauhanen specializes in Finnish kantele and its old and rare playing techniques. Weaving together polyrhythms and organic beats, she creates unique soundscapes and compelling grooves.
Multi-awarded Maija Kauhanen is one of the most internationally successful folk musicians from Finland and has toured over 30 countries around Europe, Asia and America. In 2023 Maija won the prestigious Nordic Council Music Prize as a recognition for her international solo career.
On her latest album Menneet (The Past, Nordic Notes 2022) Kauhanen takes a step towards being a singer-songwriter without losing the strong roots in tradition. The music draws influences from folk music, indie pop, and film scores and tells stories of personal space and setting one’s boundaries. How much space is enough? How can a personal space be maintained and cherished without letting it hold us back?
Kauhanen specializes in the rare Saarijärvi kantele from Central Finland. She plays the kantele in various tunings and with different playing styles, using her fingers, tiny wooden sticks as plectrums, a cello bow, an E-bow as well as other preparation materials like Blu Tack. Her percussion set consists of a kick drum, juju bean shaker, cymbals, wind bells, enamel pots and bowls, silver plates, metal muffin tins, trays and assorted kitchen utensils found at flea markets.Maija Kauhanen’s vocal technique is inspired by imitating instrument sounds, rural music traditions of Finland and Karelia as well as the Swedish kulning vocal tradition.
Credits
Producer & Host: Pedro Aibéo
Guest: Maija Kauhanen
Sound recording, editing & live streaming: Bailey Polkinghorne
*The audio piece was recorded and edited at the Helsinki Open Waves performance & recording room located at Caisa.
**The views expressed in this audio piece and texts are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the view of Helsinki Open Waves.
***If you have any feedback regarding the content of the podcast, please contact us via helsinkiopenwaves@gmail.com