Under the Ground both records and is inspired by the soundscape of the Kehärata tunnels, located in Vantaa. The duo's music will also be played in the train stations once the railroad is inaugurated in July.
Tapani Rinne and Teho Majamäki are known for a variety of musical projects. Now, on 22 May, the pair will bring out a brand new duo album, Under the Ground. The upcoming release, issued on label Aani, is a sequel to album Inside the Temple, which was recorded in India a couple of years ago. The duo has used the same method on the follow-up, letting the unusual recording milieu provide the atmosphere which they then use to weave a hypnotically beautiful work of art. This time, the quest for unique acoustics did not take them further than Vantaa, Southern Finland: the portable studio was set up in the depth of 35 metres in the tunnels of Kehärata railroad, which were still under construction at the time. Aptly, when the line is opened to commuters in July Rinne and Majamäki's music will start playing at the stations.
“It is wonderful that the sounds that we have quarried in the tunnels will be heard in the place of their origin”, says Rinne. “I would assume that the morning commuter will find these tunes surprising. When the setting has its own characteristic sound already, aiming at a sterile hi-fi sound would be impossible: for example, the various noises of tunnel-construction found their way onto the tape. The creative process was guided by the song titles and, of course, the distinctive acoustics and atmosphere of the place. Departure and return are some of the themes of the album.”
As to instrumentation, Rinne and Majamäki -- both known as multi-talents -- have chosen only one instrument from their repertory: Rinne plays the bass clarinet and Majamäki the marimba. Keeping it simple leaves more room to the tunnels’ hums and echoes – indeed enough room to turn the duo into a trio.
Watch a video on the location on: http://vantaakanava.fi/musiikkia-maan-alta/ (Finnish only)
Tapani Rinne (b. 1962) is a musician, composer and producer. One of the most eminent and recognisable reedsmen of Scandinavia, Rinne is best-known for his own group RinneRadio whose debut came out in 1988. His discography comprises a dozen albums, in addition to which he has collaborated and recorded with Mika Vainio, Jimi Tenor, DJ Spooky, DJ Slow and Wimme Saari, among others.
Teho Majamäki (b. 1971) is a versatile musician and percussion artist. His main instrument is the vibraphone but he also masters the marimba, the udu and several other percussion, key- and string instruments. One of his major musical projects has been the popular, Ismo Alanko Teholla -- a duo with rock musician Ismo Alanko.