Biography

A stunning debut that combines vocal jazz, folk influences, and Finnish, Swedish and North Sami lyrics in an exceptionally seamless way.

Roughly five years ago, Finnish-based musician, composer, lyricist and sound designer Teea Aarnio and US-based international music producer Jukka Backlund started working together. Aarnio invited a distinguished group of musicians to the studio sessions for the album, including musicians now familiar, for example, from bands such as Linda Fredriksson Juniper, UMO Jazz Orchestra, Frigg and Okra Playground. Thus her debut album Väki was born.

The eight song album Väki is an enchanting piece of work, with electronic and acoustic interludes taking the listener from one song to the next. Storywise, the album is an inspiring journey through the depths of the earth, to different seasons, to playful midsummer festivities. The songs on the album are mainly the result of a fruitful collaboration between Teea Aarnio and Jukka Backlund, and some of the songs have been written in cooperation with major figures in the Finnish music scene, for example Niillas Holmberg, Josef Donner and Timo Kiiskinen.

"The word 'väki' means 'group' or 'community', and, in the Baltic-Finnish tradition, it also means the spirit of life, the vitality that is present in all living beings. Before starting the debut album project, I went through a turning point where I reflected on my values in art, and in life in general. I have lived in several cities and countries, and the album celebrates natural and cultural diversity”, Aarnio contemplates.

Teea Aarnio is an experienced music and performance artist who has previously worked with internationally awarded visual artist Marita Liulia and Teosto-award winning songwriter Risto Ylihärsilä. In 2020 she released a series of short films with the production company Playart Productions based on the music of this debut album. Currently Aarnio is a member of the ensemble for Huojuu elämän puu (Tree of Life Sways), a the theatre production that will premiere in July 2023.

Tracklist

1. Interlude: Itku
2. Pihani 
3. Löyly 
4. Tienviittoja
5. Interlude: Pakkanen
6. Dollavárri
7. Interlude: Maa
8. Kaiu
9. Interlude: Tuli
10. Othala
11. Kevät
12. Interlude: Kesä
13. Kokko