Tag: News

  • 09.05.2025 / Flute-xpansion – Lotz, Schweizer, Inkilä, Halme

    09.05.2025 / Flute-xpansion – Lotz, Schweizer, Inkilä, Halme

    09.5. 7 pm at Toinen Kerros of Äänen Lumo (Nokiantie 2-4, Helsinki)

    Flute-xpansion is an evening where four flutists, with different improvisatory and musical styles meet to explore the sonic possibilities of different flutes and electronics coming together. 

    Flutists Heikki “Hepa” Halme, Livia Schweizer, and Turkka Inkilä will have the wonderful opportunity to play with an international guest, the improviser, flutist and composer Mark Alban Lotz, known for his cross-genre explorations.

    Join for a sound travel with many flutes, and much more!

    Mark Lotz

    Mark Lotz is a flutist, soloist, improviser, and composer who is blending the vitality of jazz with the refinement of classical music. His performances draws listeners in, taking them on a journey of discovery and often seek out surprising and original settings, challenging conventions and expectations.

    Praised as “one of the world’s top jazz flute players” (Los Angeles Jazz Scene Magazine, USA), and prominent member of the Dutch jazz scene for 30 years and a global performing artist with projects, recordings, and teaching engagements spanning the world.

    As a bandleader, Lotz has released 21 albums. His music has received significant industry attention, with extensive radio play and features worldwide. A dedicated educator, teaching at two conservatories and giving masterclasses at all over the globe.

    Lotz has collaborated with: Conga legend Miguel ‘Angá’ Diaz, Indian Underground star Najma Akthar, Soloists from Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba, Moldovan viola virtuoso Anatol Steffanet, Romanian accordion icon Petar Ralchev, Tibetan songbird Namgyal Lhamo, Senegalese Fula vocalist Omar Ka.

    In jazz and world music, he has worked with international luminaries such as Chris Potter, Don Byron, David Tronzo, Claudio Puntin, Matthew Ostrowski, Thomas Strønen, Carlos Zingaro, Johannes Bauer, NYC Latin legend Eddie Martinez, and Istanbul’s avant-garde group Islak Köpek. In the Netherlands, his collaborations include Theo Loevendie, Ernst Reijseger, Han Bennink, Zuco 103, Jesse van Ruller.

    Livia Schweizer (b.1994) is an Italian-swiss freelancer and flutist based in Helsinki. After graduating from the conservatory in Livorno she moved to Finland in 2014 to study with Mikael Helasvuo, and since then she has been a versatile and active freelancer. She is member of the new music ensemble Earth Ears Ensemble, and she is now doing her artistic doctorate in MuTri Doctoral school within the Global Music Department, with the aim to explore how text scores and graphic scores can be used to foster intercultural collaborations in contemporary music. 

    Turkka Inkilä (1989) is a Helsinki based composer and improviser. He works broadly in the field of electroacoustic music. In his artistic practice he explores the terrain between musical genres and traditions. His output ranges from performing japanese honkyoku music, and working with Sàmi musician Ánnámáret, to sound design and writing chamber music. 

    Woodwind player Hepa Halme has been active in the Helsinki improv/experimental scene since early 1980 ́s. He studied musicology in The University of Helsinki and started his exploration on the “other sounds” in the electronic music studio there guided by the late Juuso Ruohomäki. His work as a freelancer includes all kinds of regular musical settings but his commitment and interest in expanding the limits of his expression has been going on all through his career. 

  • 06.05.2025 / murmur trio – Finnish debut

    06.05.2025 / murmur trio – Finnish debut

    Libero Mureddu, physically modelled piano and effects – Andrea Grossi, double bass – Cristiano Calcagnile, drums and objects

    For the first time in Finland!

    Tuesday 6.5.
    Doors open at 18:30, concert at 19:00
    Tickets: offer what you can, between 8 and 15 € (MobilePay)
    Toinen kerros
    Nokiantie 2-4, Helsinki

    About murmur trio: https://liberomureddu.github.io/murmurtrio/

    murmur Trio was founded in 2023 during a typically hot summer in Milan. The trio includes longstanding friend, collaborator, and wonderful drummer Cristiano Calcagnile (https://www.cristianocalcagnile.eu/)) and the upcoming Italian double bass star Andrea Grossi (https://andreagrossiofficial.com/)..)

    The trio was born out of the idea of experimenting with the format of a jazz piano trio but using a physically-modelled piano instead of an acoustic one. We liked the music and decided to continue playing together! Thanks to a fortunate alignment of geography, time, and stars the three of us will be in Finland at the same time, and we decided to have a concert at (my) home.

    murmur trio investigates the space where purely and intentionally electronic practices intersect with the long shadow of the jazz piano trio. How do we react to this potential friction? How do the acoustic and electronic worlds influence each other? What (im)possibilities lie ahead of us? murmur is a laboratory of sounds and real-time approaches, an experiment in continuous evolution, a journey that attempts to drive the listener off the beaten path, even venturing into the impassable ones. murmur trio’s debut album is almost ready and will be released during the next months.

    Photo: Gianni Grossi

  • 30.04.2025 / MELTING HEARTS // HUR HUR // alya grad // MATHIEU SYLVESTRE

    30.04.2025 / MELTING HEARTS // HUR HUR // alya grad // MATHIEU SYLVESTRE

    Maynight for sound in the Äänen Lumo (Charm of Sound) space Toinen Kerros.

    Playing live:

    Melting Hearts, Hur Hur, alya grad and Mathieu Sylvestre (FR/Berlin)

    Wednesday 30.4.
    Doors: 19.30
    First act starts 20.00
    Tickets 5-15e. mobilepay or cash
    Place: Toinen Kerros, Nokiantie 2-4, Helsinki

    MELTING HEARTS

    https://meltingheartsmusic.tumblr.com/

    alya grad

    The sonic signature of alya grad embraces raw aesthetics and an experimental approach. Touched by industrial tones, it blends digital textures, noise, and rhythm into layered contrasts — where softness meets rough sonic edges.

    https://alyagrad.bandcamp.com/

    HUR HUR

    Hur Hur is a solo music project started in 2012 by multidisciplinary artists Timo Viialainen (FIN). It is based on the experimental use of an electroacoustic alto hurdy gurdy. Hurdy gurdy is drone based instrument mostly used in folk music but here it is used to create an immersive droney wall of sound that also contains hints of melodic repetative parts and rythms that come and go. Live gigs are very intense mix of improvisation and musically meaninful dramaturgy that slowly builds up to cathartic heights.

    Hur Hur has played live in different festivals and events in Europe and North America.

    Hur Hur Soundcloud

    MATHIEU SYLVESTRE

    Field recordings and analog synthesizers are the main sources of sound processed by Mathieu Sylvestre. Noises and natural sounds are interwoven and articulated in electrified sound narratives between aural synesthesia and spatial vibrations.

    The sound performance is based on the contribution of tape recorded sounds and analogue modules, arranged by improvised motifs that evolve from show to show.

    In this way, the treatment of sound focuses on a plastic and physical approach to highlight the materiality of the boundaries between analogue acoustic textures and synthetic sources.

    https://alrealonmusique.bandcamp.com/album/happy-among-the-nuts-alrn157

  • 06.04.2025 / Workshop: Fleeting moments, fleeting instruments

    06.04.2025 / Workshop: Fleeting moments, fleeting instruments

    Come and explore different sound sources, build temporary musical instruments, and improvise together.

    The workshop is run by Henna Tahvanainen, who is a researcher, lecturer, and amateur luthier of musical instruments. www.kantelista.wordpress.com

    Free of charge. Max 10 participants. Register by email: tahvanainen.henna AT gmail.com

    Time: Sunday 6.4, from 13.00 to 17.00

    Place: Toinen kerros, Nokiantie 2-4, Helsinki

  • 29.03.2025 / Usnea: Theodor Kentros (SWE), Joseph Baader (GER), Anna-Sofia Anttonen & Viktor Toikkanen

    29.03.2025 / Usnea: Theodor Kentros (SWE), Joseph Baader (GER), Anna-Sofia Anttonen & Viktor Toikkanen

    LIVE:
    THEODOR KENTROS (SWE)
    JOSEPH BAADER (GER)
    ANNA-SOFIA ANTTONEN
    VIKTOR TOIKKANEN

    Tickets: 5-15€ at the door


    THEODOR KENTROS (SWE)
    Theodor Kentros is a composer and musician based in Stockholm mostly working with the combination of electronic and acoustic instruments as well as tape loops, sample manipulation and Supercollider.

    He’s been a member of the Fylkingen Production group (2021-2024), a member of Fyrec (2021-2023), runs the tape label Kalkatraz Cassettes since 2017 and has been a member of XKatedral since 2016.

    JOSEPH BAADER (GER)
    Joseph Baader is a sound artist and composer based in Düsseldorf. He studied Music and Media (2014-2021, B.Mus)) and Sound and Reality (2021-2024, M.Mus.)) at the Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf as well as Electroacoustic Composition at the Sibelius Academy Helsinki (2018-2019). In Finland he initiated together with local artists the Potential Difference Collective (2018-2019), which organised and played several open jams and performances in the Helsinki area (Asbestos Art Space, Helsinki Music Centre). As a media artist, he is part of the Cologne based theatre collective KRUX, which has won the Kunstsalon Theaterpreis 2019. He plays electronics in various ensembles and is part of the duo honey washed and the underwater sound project Trio Wellenbad. Since 2017 he erratically exhibits his sound installations at the Cologne sound art space LTK4 – Klangbasierte Künste Köln. His radio pieces and electroacoustic compositions have been played at ARD Hörspieltage, Sentralen Oslo, Sonic Matter Festival Zürich, Ensemblia Mönchengladbach, Neuer Kunstraum Düsseldorf, Museum Kunstpalast Düsseldorf and Deutschlandfunk Kultur. He was composer in residence at Elektronmusikstudion Stockholm and Cité Internationale des Arts Paris.

    ANNA-SOFIA ANTTONEN
    Anna-Sofia Anttonen is a curious and versatile saxophonist and musician based in Helsinki, Finland. She is especially interested in contemporary music and interdisciplinary projects, collaborating with composers in ensemble and solo settings. Anna-Sofia holds a master’s degree in Sibelius Academy from classical saxophone performance. At the moment she is also working as a composer in a project combining instrument building and ceramic art together with artist Armi Teva.

    Anna-Sofia is an experienced and requested chamber and orchestra musician, theater musician, performance artist, soloist, pedagogue, arranger, and artistic director of projects. She has collaborated with such institutions as the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Finnish National Opera and Ballet, Uusinta Ensemble, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Helsinki Police Band, The Finnish Navy Band, NYKY Ensemble, Tampere Worker’s Theater and so on. She has performed internationally at festivals like Musica nova, rainy days, Flow, Time of Music and Helsinki Festival. Anna-Sofia was the co-artistic director of the Ostrobothnian Contemporary Music Festival 2023–2024.

    Anna-Sofia is one of the founding members of Saxtronauts, a saxophone quartet on a mission to bring music to different kind of audiences and spaces. Anna-Sofia also plays in Kaaos Ensemble, a
    group formed of flute, saxophone, guitar and percussion. The group is specialized in contemporary music performance and collaboration with composers. Anna-Sofia is also a member of Uusinta Ensemble since 2023. Her newest project, Trio WAS+ is a formation of saxophone, accordion (Frin Wolter), double bass (Aida Salakka) and electronics (Tuukka Tervo).

    VIKTOR TOIKKANEN
    Viktor Toikkanen is a composer, musician, and multimedia artist from Helsinki, Finland, with over a decade of experience in the city’s electronic and experimental music scene. He holds a Master of Music from the Department of Music and Technology at Sibelius Academy and has studied multimedia composition at Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg. His work spans film, electronic music, multimedia art, computer-assisted chamber music, and performance. A former drummer, Toikkanen has recently reconnected with the instrument.

    Navigating naturally between electronic music, multimedia, contemporary classical, free improvisation, and performance art, Toikkanen refuses to adhere to a single style, constantly seeking new ways of self-expression. He has collaborated with various ensembles, and his music has been released and performed internationally. Toikkanen has also worked as an event organizer, curator, sound engineer, and workshop leader. He views his art as a diary—an ongoing reflection of a specific time and place, shaped by the interests and resonances that move him in the moment.

    Links:
    https://www.theodorkentros.com/
    https://josephbaader.de/bio/
    https://annasofiaanttonen.com/
    https://linktr.ee/viktortoikkanen

  • 28.03.2025 / Auguri!

    28.03.2025 / Auguri!

    28.3. at 19.00

    “Auguri! (Agouro)”
    [From the Italian – Congratulations
    From the Portuguese – Omen],
    Is a ritualistic and cathartic performance open to the spectator. It was designed to
    celebrate error, failure. Based on the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi (acceptance of
    imperfection), the performance uses Kintsugi (the Japanese tradition of repairing ceramic
    pieces with gold) to, with it, celebrate all the differences that unite us.

    Artistic Direction: Daniela Morganiça (performer, PT)
    Artistic Collaboration: Aino Säävälä (singer, FI) and Tonya Björkbom (performer, FI)
    Performers: Aino Säävälä, Daniela Morganiça, Tonya Björkbom

  • 7. – 8.12.2024 / Improvised event #2: Seijiro Murayama

    7. – 8.12.2024 / Improvised event #2: Seijiro Murayama

    Äänen Lumo warmly welcomes you to a Seijiro Murayama 2-day residence on Dec 7-8. The main focus is a collective improvisation workshop led by Murayama, open to anyone with an interest in improvisation.

 In addition, Murayama will perform solo on Sat Dec 7 and on Sun Dec 8 a public workshop performance takes place.

    Workshop contents:

    1. group improvisations – trying some methods only to share the space and time
    2. physical exercises to activate our perceptions – working on breath, voice, walking – experiencing a dynamic way of listening
    3. playing solos
    4. trying some rules (based on permutations etc)  to improvise collectively
    5. improvising with no specific rules, then with participant initiatives


    Schedule:



    Sat Dec 7

    15h-18h Workshop day 1

    19h Seijiro Murayama solo performance
    


    Sun Dec 8

    12h-15h Workshop day 2

    16h Workshop public performance

    TICKETS (find them HERE)
    Workshop fee: 20 €
    Seijiro Murayama solo: 5 – 10 €
    Workshop public performance: free

    Seijiro Murayama is a percussion-vocal improviser, born in 1957 in Nagasaki, Japan. He has been working within the field of improvisation since 1980. He toured the USA with Keiji Haino as part of the seminal psychedelic band Fushitsusha. Returning to Japan after a period in NYC he continued playing drums and electronics in K.K. Null‘s noise/rock band A.N.P. (Absolut Null Punkt), while further exploring free improvisation. A relocation to France in 1999 led to collaborations that extended into dance, theatre and performance as well as ongoing partnerships with musicians Jean-Luc Guionnet, Eric Cordier, Michel Doneda, Mattin, Lionel Marchetti, among many others. He uses voice and percussion and tries to apply his practice of improvisation to other fields of creative activities. 

Murayama is the co-author of the book “Idioms and idiots”
    (in English: http://www.mattin.org/recordings/IDIOMS_AND_IDIOTS.html; in Finnish: https://komeetta.info/2022/02/17/idiomit-ja-idiootit/)

    About:
    https://urojiise.wixsite.com/seijiromurayama/discography
    https://seiijromurayam.bandcamp.com/

    photo credit: Gianpaolo Arena