The isolating walls of the pandemic have not restricted or curtailed the energy or vibrancy of artists expressions. One musician who has discovered a new path is Finnish soul/jazz artist Tuomo.
A pioneer of the Finnish Soul music scene, Tuomo (Tuomo Prättälä) was a member of the renowned group Quintessence before embarking on a prolific solo career. His recent collaboration (Pratt and Moody) saw the duo’s debut 7″ vinyl, Lost Lost Lost, with Cold Diamond and Mink selling several thousand copies in Southern California alone. It’s a certified Scandinavian soul classic with original copies going for €60.
With Finland currently under full lockdown, (unlike his Scandinavian neighbours Sweden) he is using his enforced studio time productively – creating new experimental music and sharing them on Bandcamp.
Speaking to us Tuomo explained;
I’m making and releasing music constantly in a project I’m calling ‘Quarantine music’. It’s just me in my little studio with a bunch of lovely synths. Some of the songs will be collaborations. Styles vary, but it’s mostly funk/soul-oriented. Follow me! I’ll keep uploading new tracks whenever I have something.
Don’t miss – Monday afternoon (below)
And the excellent Solicitedly (below) – a song about courtship and the importance of consent in the age of social distancing.
Head over to his Bandcamp to discover more and keep supporting the artists through this crisis.