Artist/musician Sami Sänpäkkilä (, Es, etc.) interviews Timo Kaukolampi (Op:1 Bastards, K-X-P, Larry and the Lefthanded, etc.) for his "A Day in the Mouth" series in which he visits a person/organization/place and has "a little chat with the people involved and see what they're up to." Direct link: http://vimeo.com/15907535
Dusted reviews the new Es album "Kesämaan lapset": http://dustedmagazine.com/reviews/5205
The Silent Ballet reviews Finnish artist Es and his album "Kesämaan lapset": http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/2584/Default.aspx
Fonal Records reports that new albums from both Es and Kiila are currently streaming at myspace.
New releases available for preorder from Finland's Fonal Records:
Kiila - Tuota tuota CD/LP
Es - Kesämaan lapset CD/LP
Tomutonttu - s/t CD/LP (reissue)
Samples and more details are available at Fonal's website: http://www.fonal.com/
Fonal Records acts Islaja, Kemialliset Ystävät, Es and Tomutonttu will be touring the UK together in late September as part of the "Approximately Infinite Universe" tour being put on by No-Fi and [No.Signal]. Read more: http://no-signal.net/aiu/
The Village Voice on the new wave of Scandinavian ethereal weirdness, ie Ólafur Arnalds, Es, Ville Leinonen, and Paavoharju: http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-07-29/music/five-founts-of-ethereal-weirdness-lafur-arnalds-es-ville-leinonen-and-paavoharju/
The Es/Sami Sänpäkkilä "Early filmworks 1996 to 2006" DVD has been confirmed for a September 6 release. It will feature eight short films and six music videos. Read the press release for more: http://www.escycle.com/press_es_DVD_eng.html
Es is a Finnish project springing from the mind of Sami Sanpakkila; this is his fourth outing under the Es banner. Wow, is this guy a walking argument for the primal mysteries that must pervade the wilds of Finland. The music here is so mesmerizing, so evocative and formula-defying, it has the power to literally change your body chemistry. I'll dispense with mentioning song titles since they're just too long, but here are the highlights: Track 1 begins disarmingly with Finnish vocals, providing a folksy little overture that lulls you into false expectations. #2 is an unhurried, stretched-out piece hovering between classical and ambient, with bits of keyboard and violin poking through the mix in a manner that seems random (but probably isn't). #3 is a piece of hypnotic psych-drone on which the introductory keyboards gradually dissolve into a transfixing piece that's very reminiscent of Pink Floyd's "Shine on you crazy diamond," complete with lonesome sax. #4 showcases childlike piano, a little nylon-string guitar plucking and sounds of lapping water for a potently ambient effect. #6 is classic Finnish psych-folk with wordless female vocals and vintage keyboards. And #7 is pretty much straight/no chaser ambient drone. Lordy, during the many times I played this disc while driving, I wasn't sure I could keep living my normal life. I just wanted to hit the road and find some societal dropouts to go hang with and contemplate woods and waterfalls. No quick summary can do this unique recording justice; let's just say that if you're into freaky, droning, boundary-smashing weirdness that remains thoroughly musical and focused, this disc is especially gripping and unforgettable.
- Kevin Renick
Fonal Records will be sending Es, Islaja and Kiila on tour across Europe together in March/April. Tenative dates here: http://www.fonal.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29
Stylus declares the latest from Finland's Es to their album of the week: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=3604
The Subcurrent Festival/Fonal Records showcase night in Glasgow has now been rescheduled to April 21-23. The line-up is still the same and includes Es, Kiila and Kemialliset Ystävät.
More confirmed dates for Es on tour in the US:
12/03 - The Bookmill, Montague, MA
12/04 - Strange Maine (record store), Portland, ME
12/06 - AS220, Providence, RI w/Dave Unger, Sinking Body, Kites
12/09 - Midway Cafe, Boston, MA w/Vampire Can't, Crystal Cock Over Canada, Donna Parker + Vic Rawlings
12/11 - Lucky Cat Cafe, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY w/Izititiz, Ghq
12/12 - tba, Toronto (CAN)
As mentioned before, Es is the musical project of Fonal Records founder Sami Sänpäkkilä. On these dates he will be backed by Miriam Goldberg and Jeffrey Alexander of Black Forest / Black Sea who also join him on the new album "Sateenkaarisuudelma", due out in January on (K-RAA-K)3 records. Also accompanying them on tour will be visual artist Shary Boyle who will be showing live visuals on an overhead projector.