The Upper Peninsula of Michigan, colloquially known as the U.P., is home to the highest concentration of Finns outside of Europe, with Finnish Americans forming 16% of the population. For many lucky enough to call themselves locals, the Finnish influence on the Yooper identity is ever-present.
While the U.P. and Finland have numerous ties that bind them, they share one clear commonality: the summers are absolutely perfect, a welcome reward after long, frigid winters. Höystö is both a celebration of summer and the bonds that Michiganders and Finns share musically and culturally - namely, a spirit of DIY and rugged individualism, genuine support within their artistic communities, and a playful persistence that permeates everything they do.
My goal was to bridge the cultures by showcasing talented people from the community I grew up in and juxtaposing Michigan artists with similar sounds from the Finnish music scene. It felt more like a thesis than a compilation - a way to prove there's a shared spirit, a creative kinship, something similar in the water. Thankfully, the songs blended seamlessly, creating a ragout of care-free tunes from friends I cherish, musicians I admire, and artists I haven't met but can tell are pretty great.
Tracklist
- Plastic Tones - Don't Forget
- The Curfews - Rose
- Guggenheim-Projektz - Naapurin poika
- Ninni Forever Band - Tää ääni
- Mustat Kalsarit - Rakkautta
- Beatrix - Pumpkin
- Joni Ekman - Yöllä
- Dan Daniels - Going to the Ocean
- Jukka Nousiainen - Mielestä kaikki turha nyt pois
- Hulda Huima - Jalat laahaa
- Windmill Music - Love Arrives in Falling Leaves
- Terminal Orchestra - Fiver's Plan
- Litku Klemetti - Sinä tiedät sen
- Wonderhorse - West Coast Fog
- Fungusmuscle - The Tickle Toad
- Joel Parkkila - Sad Enough for Two
- Itä-Hollola Installaatio - Thurston Moore
- The God Eaters - It Takes a Village
- Olimpia Splendid - Kalle kämmenellä
- Ostos - Rannalle (Jengi Hei)
- Sumuposauttaja - Entä nyt?