Author: Lauri

  • Real Music for Unreal Times: Vol. 2 (2020)

    Real Music for Unreal Times: Vol. 2 (2020)

    In the spring of 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic began, the Helsinki-based percussionist Lauri Wuolio ended up recording his new album at a project studio he built under his loft bed. Despite being literally an “indie bedroom album”, it sounds grand and spacious, as if it were recorded in an imaginary wooden church overtaken by nature. Wuolio has described the album as “ambient chamber music from the future”.

    The ten tracks were played with eclectic choice of acoustic and electronic instruments. Wuolio’s cupolas are accompanied by the Finnish bowed lyre, or jouhikko, and different viola da gambas (all played by the virtuosic Ilkka Heinonen) and cello (Iida Sinivalo). The organic instruments are contrasted by the distinctly characteristic sound of the experimental synthesizer Lyra-8 (played by Wuolio) that can sound like anything from a rusty harmonica to ancient choir of sea monsters.

    Recorded in full isolation during the pandemic, the album is a deep reflection on the spectrum of various shared emotions the world experienced during the first 6 months of isolation and lockdowns. It is the second volume in Kumea Sound’s Real Music for Unreal Times series, that explores spontaneous reactions to unexpected events.

  • Oceans of Sadness, Mountains of Hope (2017)

    Oceans of Sadness, Mountains of Hope (2017)

    Kumea Sound’s third album, Ocean’s of Sadness, Mountains of Hope, marks the artist’s first foray into the ambient chamber music genre. Offering a striking contrast to the more serious tone of its predecessor, the album was originally recorded as a personal musical diary in June 2017 and was released only after receiving encouragement from friends who recognized its potential.

    The album was released as a numbered vinyl edition of just 20 copies and in digital format, and the vinyl edition sold out within 30 minutes of being announced.

    Featuring a captivating mix of handpans, synthesizers, and samplers, the album maintains a hopeful and playful tone. The combination of traditional handpan melodies and modern electronic elements seamlessly merge to create a harmonious soundscape that transcends genres.

    Ocean’s of Sadness, Mountains of Hope is a testament to Kumea Sound’s versatility and artistic growth, as the artist broadens his expression with more compositional elements along with improvised material. The album offers listeners an uplifting and immersive journey that is both reflective and inspiring. With its unique blend of musical styles, Ocean’s of Sadness, Mountains of Hope delivers an enchanting listening experience.

  • Real Music for Unreal Times (2015)

    Real Music for Unreal Times (2015)

    Kumea Sound’s album, Real Music for Unreal Times, offers a meditative journey through solo handpan music by Finnish artist Lauri Wuolio. Wuolio’s authentic performances are enhanced by innovative recording techniques, breathing life into each track.

    Working alongside Martin Kantola of Nordic Audio Labs, Wuolio utilized hand-built microphones to capture the handpan’s intricate harmonic overtones. This dedication to detail creates an immersive listening experience that translates the energy and spontaneity of Wuolio’s live performances.

    The album’s direction shifted to a more introspective tone after — while in the recording studio — Wuolio received news of the passing of a friend and fellow musician, Dante Bucci. This tragedy infused the album with themes of sorrow and emptiness. The detailed reverb, achieved through experimental virtual acoustics, replicates the acoustic environment of the sixteenth-century Russian monastery, Solovetsky, echoing this sense of loss.

    Drawing from Finnish mythology and ancient Greek music, Wuolio explores the potential of fusing old and new ideas, simplicity, and complexity, resulting in a transcendent sonic experience.

    Real Music for Unreal Times stands as a testament to the power of music to bridge divides and create unity across time and even death. This captivating album transports listeners to a serene, otherworldly space, offering a temporary escape from the noise of modern life.