Kimmo Pohjonen - "Kalmuk" [2002]

Artist: Kimmo Pohjonen

Title: Kalmuk

Genre: Avant-Garde, Contemporary Classical/Folk, Free Jazz

Country: Finland

Release date: 2002

Track List: 

1. Kellua
2. Mantis
3. Escher
4. The Furies
5. Spore
6. Vortex
7. Ehtola
8. Genesis

The name of Kimmo Pohjonen, an accordionist from Finland, is quite big in the world of the contemporary classical music, and for a good reason. His music is exceptionally original, fusing folk, jazz, classical music and avant-garde experiments (with a big emphasis on the "avant-garde" part) that are on par with those of Rock In Opposition bands. His first track I ever heard was "Genesis" (that was at the time when I was getting into RIO bands btw), which has completely blown my mind:

"Pohjonen's instrument is a large five-row chromatic accordion, which has been modified to include microphones, pedals and wires, which allows him to play acoustically and electronically at the same time.

Over his career the music he has produced on the accordion has included traditional folk, classical, rock and theater, but he is best known for avant garde and experimental music. He blends musical styles such as rock, electronic beat, jazz and more. His composition are mostly instrumental works, based on the accordion, along with his voice to some extent, and with other instruments when he collaborates with other musicians. He also experiments with technology, using loops and layering effects onto the accordion's natural sound.

Pohjonen believes in constant innovation in music, and his compositions range from delicate tones to the ominous, contemplative and even frenzied, accompanied by shrieks, shouts, chanting, and noises from non-musical instrument. His music has been described as "soundscapes" sound designed to evoke emotions and images...

His live performances are uninhibited and athletic and have been called "extravagant" and "unhinged" and can included singing, acrobatics, electronic samples and art... Pohjonen is attracted to old customs and obsolete technologies, and these appear in his shows, such as sound from old farm machinery"