Stories by

"There is a lot of children’s music being made in Finland, with diverse approaches, but it is not easy to come by at random these days," writes Maiju Kopra, President of the Children’s Music Association, in her column.

A lo-fi cult project blending sound collages, folk, ambient and indie rock re-emerges with sleeker production – and its melodic mystique intact.

Pekko Käppi’s recent albums lean toward poignant ballads, often with a subversive twist – and the eerie, unsettling sound of his electric jouhikko.

Combining urgent melodies and fervent activism, Vimma is a progressive Finnish band whose music pulses with a frenzy for change. Their latest album resonates with climate protests and environmental concerns.

Pianist Ville Hautakangas has brought together a cast of composers of different ages, whose musical backgrounds and starting points highlight the full richness of contemporary music.

Summer 2023 marked 40 years since John Cage visited the Time of Music festival in Viitasaari. There are clichéd narratives still circulating about the snapping of twigs, the picking of mushrooms and the sloshing of milk in pails, but what did the guru really say during his masterclass? Composer Juhani Nuorvala participated in the 1983 composition course and has now unearthed his tape recordings of the event. These previously unpublished excerpts offer valuable insights into Cage’s philosophy.

The importance of creativity in futures thinking and foresight is widely recognised, but conversely the role of futures thinking in creativity is less obvious. Nevertheless, actively thinking about the future holds multiple benefits for all kinds of creative work, and music is no exception.

We are currently in the process of developing FMQ in order to better serve our readers. We have now launched a survey designed to gauge the preferences and interests of our readers. Your responses will play a vital role in shaping our future direction, and we would greatly appreciate your collaboration!

Focusing on contemporary music, Superpluck are a trio made up of three plucked instruments. Over the past five years, Rody van Gemert, Eija Kankaanranta and Assi Karttunen have taken aim at prejudiced and established networks in Finland and beyond.