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MAIJA KAUHANEN

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BIO

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Maija Kauhanen (FI) — One-Woman Orchestra

Expressive voice, deep-rooted kantele and inventive percussion: fleet-fingered virtuoso and one-woman band Maija Kauhanen specializes in Finnish kantele and its old and rare playing techniques. Weaving together polyrhythms and organic beats, she creates unique soundscapes and compelling grooves.

Multi-awarded Maija Kauhanen is one of the most internationally successful folk musicians from Finland and has toured over 30 countries around Europe, Asia and America. In 2023 Maija won the prestigious Nordic Council Music Prize as a recognition for her international solo career.

On her latest album Menneet (The Past, Nordic Notes 2022) Kauhanen takes a step towards being a singer-songwriter without losing the strong roots in tradition. The music draws influences from folk music, indie pop and film scores and tells stories of personal space and setting one’s boundaries. How much space is enough? How can a personal space be maintained and cherished, without letting it hold us back?

Kauhanen specializes in the rare Saarijärvi kantele from Central Finland. She plays the kantele in various tunings and with different playing styles, using her fingers, tiny wooden sticks as plectrums, a cello bow, an E-bow as well as other preparation materials like Blu Tack. Her percussion set consists of a kick drum, juju bean shaker, cymbals, wind bells, enamel pots and bowls, silver plates, metal muffin tins, trays and assorted kitchen utensils found at flea markets.

Maija Kauhanen’s vocal technique is inspired by imitating instrument sounds, rural music traditions of Finland and Karelia as well as the Swedish kulning vocal tradition.

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A powerfully expressive voice, deep-rooted Finnish kantele and inventive percussion. Weaving together polyrhythms, strong stories and organic beats she creates unique soundscapes and compelling grooves as a one-woman band. Maija has toured in more than 30 countries in Asia, America and all around Europe and in 2023 she won the prestigious Nordic Council Music Prize as a recognition for her international solo career.