From the West Coast of the USA to Helsinki, Julian Lahdesmaki joins the Soliti label, shares new song and announces Young Jupiter EP
By way of Helsinki to the West Coast of the USA and back to Finland, Soliti is happy to welcome Julian Lahdesmaki to the label family. Julian has a storied musical career, releasing music under different guises in the USA ( Moose & the Elephant, Julian Jones) – a move back to his native Finland last year brought Julian into Soliti’s orbit.
Julian presented the Young Jupiter EP to Soliti and instant feelings of wellbeing ensued. Analog synths mixed with Eno-ambience merely enhances the songwriting prowess Lahdesmaki displays with Young Jupiter. A four part symphony, today Lahdesmaki shares “Part One” from the EP; a fine distillation of the themes and general moods found on Young Jupiter.
Listen to “Part One”
Recorded at Lake Road Studio in Portland Oregon in Spring 2023
Written, produced, and performed by: Julian Lahdesmaki
Mixed and Mastered by: Julian Lahdesmaki
Julian Lahdesmaki – Piano, guitar, vocals, synthesisers, drums, percussion,
programming, string arrangements.
“The whole project felt like stream of conscious and it started with this psychedelic synth arpeggio part and the lyrical idea of ‘found my place outside my window.’ It was kind of an invitation for me to search outside of myself for some new signals the universe was sending me.” Julian explains of “Part One”
“Part One” Arrives on the 19th April 2024 via Soliti.
Initial Reaction
Austin Town Hall “…the song never stays in one place for too long, perhaps like Julian’s own life; it’s a musical narrative done mostly without words, so invest a little time in his new piece.”
Nordic Music Central “You’ll probably need to listen to it twice at least to get into it but once you have the tantalising question of just where he will go with ‘Part Two’ will get stuck indelibly in your head.”
Julian Lahdesmaki photography by Markku Lähdesmäki
Julian Lahdesmaki: Young Jupiter (Soliti 110)
Release date: 31/05/2024
Young Jupiter EP cover art by Julian Lahdesmaki
1.Part One
2. Part Two
3. Part Three
4. Part Four
Discussing Young Jupiter Julian tells us “I have never felt as naturally inspired as when I made this EP. Young Jupiter was written and recorded while I was packing up my life in Portland, Oregon and preparing to move to Helsinki, Finland. It is a sonic search for belonging; both spiritually and physically. A dance with the familiar and an open hand reached out toward whatever was on the horizon.”
Young Jupiter is released on the 31st May 2024.
Julian Lahesmaki was born in Helsinki and moved to California when he was 6. He grew up between Los Angeles and Finland. Julian began writing music and recording in high school, and toured the west coast of America until he decided to move to Nashville. In Nashville he honed his craft as a songwriter and performer, co-writing 3-4 songs a week and gigging nightly. Along with playing in songwriter rounds in Nashville, Julian continued to perform in Los Angeles and Helsinki, even sharing the stage with some of his heroes like J. Karjalainen and Jonathan Wilson. After Nashville Julian explored various cities in the United States, embedding himself in each location’s music scene and soaking in each city’s unique sounds. Each city and town helped to add new depth to his work and a greater understanding of his artistic self. In 2023 he decided to move back to Finland hoping to connect with his homeland and continue his sonic journey. “I am such a combination of the places I have lived, but ultimately I want to really understand where I am from.” Julian tells us