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H​ö​ystö

by Cudighi Records

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about

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.

While Yoopers come from disparate backgrounds that move beyond the Finnish-American story - something highlighted on Höystö - they rally around the concept of "sisu", the Finnish word for extraordinary determination and grit. Yoopers, like Finns, maintain a spirit of stoicism in the face of adversity, whether that be from harsh weather, grueling work, or general world-weariness. This tenacity influences their play; it translates to a boldness in their art, a particular gutsiness against all odds, a ferocious passion with both purity and purpose, albeit a little rough around the edges.

This fight defines two communities separated by language and landmarks. It gives them stamina. It gives them a support system. Most of all, it gives them staying power.

Here's to the sounds of sisu and endless summer.

credits

released October 23, 2020

Art by Annu Kilpeläinen
www.annukil.com

Design by Ian Erlich
www.ianerlich.com

Mastered by Alex Drosen

"Sad Enough For Two" written by Joel Parkkila and Raymond Little

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Cudighi Records Los Angeles, California

An inaka assemblage of international psychedelia.

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