thirty six: Joose Keskitalo

I can't make any great claims towards trying to decipher what Finnish Joose Keskitalo is singing as he plays his folky, Gainsbourg form of music, but what I do know is that I think I'm in love.


I discovered him on Bird's Lament, a little blog from dreamland, whilst scouting for more from Alessi.

The 26 year oldsinger/songwriter has already got a loyal fanbase in his homeland, having been releasing material since 2004.

His most recent album Ja Kolmas Maailmanpalo (Third World's Fire) was released this year on Helmi Levyt records, and has thankfully been made internationally available.

Riivaajat is a dusty, wandering song that reminds of the back streets of Paris. It was also the first track I had the pleasure of hearing on Ja Kolmas... after the marching opening of Nelja Hevosta Ja Hautajaissaattue, that could up the campaign of any rebellious protestors. Keskitalo then takes it down a notch in the shape of Mennaan Ajelulle, a slumbering song that settles into your muscles and pulls you slowly down into your comfortable bed for a well-deserved sleep.

Another song that I absolutely love is Pispalan Tytto. It comes from a collaborative album called Lauluja suuren mäen alta (Great Songs, Over the Hill) choc a bloc full of rustic acousticness.

Overall I think the most appealing thing to me about Keskitalo is the sense of other-worldliness I feel when I listen to him. It feels like a new way of life, that can be a little bit backward at times.

Listen to Riivaajat here.