Introduce yourself briefly, what kind of music do you make?

My name is Pekko Käppi. I am an psychedelic folkrocker from Tampere, Finland. Mostly I play different sorts of jouhikkos (a bowed lyre) and sing, sing, sing.

If you were an animal, which would it be and why?

Blue whale, I could go to places no human being can go. Or I could be some sort of cute bacteria or a happy virus too.

Where did you first find out about this traditional Finnish instrument called jouhikko? And when did you get your hands on it after that?

After high school I was searching for sound, something else. One day I read about a strange traditional instrument called “jouhikko” that had no sound board and had to played with back of your fingers. I got curious and finally found an instrument and started to play and it continues.

How did the band (you and K:H:H:L) originally come together?

We were reording my second solo album “Rammat Jumalat” with the producer Nuutti Vapaavuori (plays bass in KHHL) and need a guitar person to do some track. Nuuti’s neighbour Tommi was available and happened to be string strumming genious. He played like an angel and finally when we had to go in to the great wide open to play shows we became a trio.

Where is the band Pekko Käppi & K:H:H:L from? Or are you more or less spread around Finland? How have the surroundings shaped the sound of the band?

We are from Tampere. I am not sure how the surrounding has shaped us. Jussi Jaakonaho (producer of Aamunkoi album) said that we play louder than in Helsinki. But I can’t really know if it’s. It sounds funny and we ARE old!

What drives you to make the art that you do?

I think I am stupid and curious enough.

How do you balance between the recording process and live performing? Does either play a bigger part for the band?

Both are essential processes. They are different but in synergy and are living well together. I could only do albums, but I think after awhile the content would turn into itself. It’s very important to expose yourself to living beings. Not just your inner, imaginary audiences.

What is going on in the Pekko Käppi & K:H:H:L camp at the moment / do you have some future plans?

We are making a fully analog album at the legendary Sound of JJ Music Studio in Tampere. It’s been great brain rebooting experience to play without grid and with limited amount of tracks. Not sure when it comes out. It should be in vinyl format, but the there are loooooong waiting times in pressing plants at the moment. We'll see. We are happy.

What would you name as the biggest highlights or hardships in the band's history?

It must be the last 2-3 years with global situation. Many beautiful plans dissolved in to the air, BUT we are here. Alive and kicking!

How do the visual aspects of the band come together and what kind of a role does it have in Pekko Käppi & K:H:H:L?

Visuals – logos, t-shirt desings, album covers makes things a bit more concrete and bring extra content to the main story. I appreciate visual artists for they can make a story alive with only one picture.

If you could collaborate with any past or present artist/band which would it be?

The Grateful Dead, Dr. John, Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers, Gillian Welch, Leyla Mccalla and many more.

Recommend three artists everyone should know? (bands or anything you wish to mention)

There are too many good ones and that’s a good thing! I think at the moment there’s more super good art stuff (including music, visual art, theater etc) going on than ever before. Banana Ana from Barcelona is a great visual artist, Theatre Telakka is one the best ones there is, Silvia Hosseini is a great essay writer and for example Karkia Mistika Records releases always interesting and fresh stuff. All are currently operating in Tampere.

Last words of wisdom.

I am not sure who said this originally, but: “Life is heavy Lotto”.