J. TOLVI SEMIBAND
Oleilua

1. Intro
2. Lohdutus
3. Impi-Iisa
4. Anna minun horjua
5. Banjo-laulu
6. Huuhkaja
7. Sulle
8. Pentujen pentu
9. Nuku rommiin
10. Näin talvella
11. Onko täällä saunaa?

"The group Semiband have just released a record called Oleilua (Being/Hanging around/Existing). It consists of poppy tunes sung in Finnish language. Responsible for this record is Jaakko Tolvi - a musician, who approaches pop music from a muchly exceptional and experimental angle.

There's a many-faced bunch of Finnish experimental music makers, who have enjoyed international praise for years. It includes the international main characters of "forest folk" from such acts as Kuupuu and Lau Nau. Also contained are the less-than-trimmed, tie free Finnish jazz orchestras, like Taco Bells and Rauhan Orkesteri. The experimentation may also come across as a lack of formality, that defies the limitations of the band's definition, as in the case of the groups with a mystery line-up like Kiila and Kemialliset Ystävät.

The above-mentioned artists, now in their 30's, have two things in common: they all are respected young artists, whose careers have mainly been built outside of Finland's borders. And secondly, the sound of all these auteurs has been toned by Jaakko Tolvi.

Tolvi is known for his skills as a drummer. Tolvi also paints the picture of his sound with a larger palette than just percussion, plastic whistles and electric instruments among other things. He has been performing around the world with several Finnish orchestras and has also played with some of the top names in their field, like Chris Corsano. The drum virtuoso Corsano has gained fame for playing in Björk's live band.

I have heard Jaakko play numerous times: while leaning on the wall in a gallery, standing in a noisy rock club or sitting in a theatre. Although Jaakko plays in very different groups, his most important forte seems to be the gift for creating accessibility. That is why the idea of Tolvi leading a free improv house band on a cruise ship to Sweden would seem totally natural. The most extreme music would go down as smoothly as the morning coffee, when served by Tolvi.

What makes this Semiband record so appealing, I think, is its frankness and that it is so laid-back. During its ride, sudden sharp turns - and there is plenty of them - are taken care of without a rush. Deep down in my heart I hope, that Semiband will save the Finnish easy listening popular music from the hands of both DJ's mixing nostalgia 'n sarcasm and household names stuck in the routine of forced repetition."

- Kimmo Modig, Chairman of Äänen Lumo: Festival For New Sounds

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