A round-up of Soliti in 2024
If 2023 was a placeholder type of year, then 2024 was a Soliti full-blast endeavour. New artists to the label were the duo of Kaspar, who returned with a fine new album that oozed sophisitication. Julian Lahdesmaki swapped US climes for Finnish environs and released his first music for the label. Stinako collaborated with many and released three EPs that offered growth and contrast. Ocelot leaped mountains with their 2nd album that kept the quirk but dialled up the songwriting. Henna Emilia Hietamäki breathed new life into old songs about death. Juppe, Pink Chameleons, The New Tigers, Cats Of Transnistria all released music in 2024. You’ll find it all below.
Thanks to everyone who listened, went to shows, bought the vinyl, streamed and supported Soliti in any way you could in 2024. You are in our hearts. See you in 2025.
Triani x
SOLITI SINGLES 2024 PLAYLIST
All the singles released by Soliti in 2024, Featuring Pink Chameleons, Kaspar, Juppe, Julian Lahdesmaki, Stinako, The New Tigers, Cats of Transnistria, Ocelot, Henna Emilia Hietamäki.
SOLITI VIDEOS PLAYLIST FOR 2024
1.Pink Chameleons : Colors Seem To Fade
Video by: Krista Salama, Paltsa Salama
2.Kaspar : Clear.
Video by Sampsa Pirtola
3. Juppe x Ransukoira: Was It Good For You
Video was directed by Simo Pukkinen.
4. Ocelot: Sun silmillä
Video concept and execution: Noa P. Mendes and Emilia Pennanen
5. Ocelot: Prinssi Pikkuveli
Video concept and execution:Noa P. Mendes, Emilia Pennanen
Art direction and scene photography: celine s. diaz
6. Pink Chameleons: Sunshine Honey
Filming and editing: Paltsa-Kai Salama
Puppets and puppetry: Krista Salama
7. Kaspar: Weight
Video by Antti-Jussi Kaikuruhttps
Oh yeah ….how could we forget this? The New Tigers “Säbä” directed by Appu Jasu.
SOLITI RELEASES 2024
Stinako: Mind (Soliti 108) Release Date 26th April, 2024
Mind cover art by Irja Nuru
“”Mind” delves into my thoughts and experiences regarding illness and mortality, exploring how these have shaped my perspective on life. The fear of death and uncertainty about the future are themes that resonate throughout this EP, influencing my music in profound ways. Produced with Timo Kaukolampi. Mind grows from 90’s minimalistic trip hop and 70’s alternative electronic music. Analog synths and effects give this ep a real Kaukolampi meets Koistinen experience.”
“Analog synthesizers are sensitive instruments, but Koistinen & Kaukolampi get to integrate them into STINAKO’s era-breaking expression. The shape is of course also important, but even more important is the internal strength of the material.” Desibeli
Kaspar : Calling the Waters (Soliti 109) Release Date: 17/05/2024
Calling The Waters album sleeve photo by Sakari McGregor
The duo of John McGregor and Mikael Hakkarainen – Kaspar – reveal a new approach to songwriting which informed Calling The Waters creation. Compared to their earlier work, the new songs are based on a different type of songwriting, where soundscapes become songs rather than thought-out song structures and melodies being written first. The new process turned out to be inspiring and a good amount of songs were written in a relatively short time. The band has been known for its ability to capture audiences, in smaller and bigger settings. Calling The Waters is further proof of their diversity, creativity and the desire to discover new sounds. Lyrically, the songs touch upon one’s inner life, the moving lights and shades of different colours in today’s world. There is a conversation with hope and a recognition of beauty, as all that is in our world finds its place.
”Even though Kaspar’s works are aware of complex universal problems, optimism marinated in clarity emerges from the core of the movement. The expression flirts attractively with ambient music.” 5/5 Ilkka-Pohjalainen
Julian Lahdesmaki: Young Jupiter EP (Soliti 110) Release Date: 31/05/2024
Young Jupiter EP cover art by Julian Lahdesmaki
“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.”
“We recommend this!” Rumba
Stinako: Body (Soliti 111) Release Date: 30/08/2024
Stinako Body EP cover art by Irja Nuru
“Body EP celebrates the physicality of existence, emphasising the importance of embracing and enjoying your body despite societal pressures and personal struggles. It acknowledges the challenges of living with illness or body image issues but also emphasises the resilience and capabilities of the human body. It also celebrates the joy of being alive. Body is a celebration of all bodily experiences from panic attacks to falling in love. Composed and produced with Tapio Viitasaari.”
“It’s all rather sumptuous and confirms yet again that Stinako never ceases to come up with something fresh and new. She could be a hit machine if she wanted to but she’s too erudite for that and will always seek a way to tantalise her audience. Long may that continue to be so.” Nordic Music Central
Ocelot: Siskoni on noita (Soliti 112) Release Date: 20/09/2024
Ocelot Album cover art Siskoni on noita
Noa P. Mendes and Emilia Pennanen Ocelot logo design: Rikhard Hormia
“Siskoni on noita is a collage of characters, looks and self-portraits. A world where visitors, travellers, princes, witches, exes, thieves in the night, forgotten first loves, estranged siblings, tourists and unknown bodies flow through memories, songs and dreams.
It is an embracing of the strange and an acceptance of the ordinary.
The rejection and shaping of other people’s gaze.
It is a whirlpool of stories of perpetual instability, uncertainty and love between people.
It is a mirror with a face looking back.”
“The band’s new album “Siskoni on noita” continues the charming and enchanting journey that their debut album started, perhaps more stripped down than the previous one, but touching deeper.” Radio Helsinki
Stinako: Spirit (Soliti 113.) Release date 1st November 2024
Spirit EP cover by Irja Nuru
“Lastly, Spirit examines my worldview and beliefs about the state of the world. It contains both reflections on current events, such as political elections, as well as expressions of hope and values. “Songs of Freedom“ in particular offers a vision of a better world, where unity and joy prevail. In Spirit, flower power, 70’s folk music and non religious gospel meet to make a soulful entity. Recorded in Stockholm with wonderful musicians Hannah Tolf, Xenia Kriisin, Peter Morén, Wille Alin and Erik ‘Errka’ Petersson. Recorded and produced with Petersson at No Regrets Fonogram studio.”
“Stinako had a gorgeous trilogy of EPs” Once Chord to Another Fave Finnish EPs of 2024
Henna Emilia Hietamäki: Luutarha (Soliti 114) Release Date: 08.11.2024
Luutarha album sleeve by Melina Pääkkönen
Henna Emilia Heitamäki’s Luutarha is a collection of new interpretations of old folk songs and folk poetry. There are new translations and arrangements of American, English and Finnish songs from the 17th‒19th centuries, as well as new compositions for old Finnish folk poems. The unifying theme is death, facing it or longing for it. Many of the songs on the album are made especially to be played at funerals. Luutarha (“Bone Garden”) was an early suggestion as a Finnish name for the cemetery.
“Luutarha is an excellent record that is not afraid to jump from Finnish to Anglo-American folk.” Voima
End of year lists coming soon…