Members

8.11.1984

Turku, Finland

From an early age, Afro Cuban music has had a strong influence, thanks to
my father. I also lived in Cuba when I was little. Tried playing both
guitar and piano at age six or seven. Began playing drums at age nine, and
began studying at the Helsinki Pop/Jazz Conservatory. At 15, I switched
from drums to percussion, as they began to interest me more. Quite soon
after that I left the conservatory, and have been taking private or group
lessons from various gurus of Cuban music.

The first time is always the most exciting. Juuso and I had played a gig with our band Kuukumina, and I helped him move his drums to Gloria Club. When the band asked me to join them on stage, I naturally agreed. I think it was spring 2002, and I didn't really know any of the guys back then. The second Kaunas gig in summer 2004 was also one of the most memorable.

Jethro Tull in Helsinki in 1999. This summer (2004) I was impressed by George Clinton and his posse at Imatra Big Band Festival.

When I got my first stereo, there was some Mega dance album included with the purchase. But I think the first album I actually bought was Metallica's Black Album.

All kinds of Afro Cuban music from my father. My older brother also fed me a lot of 70's progressive rock music, which got a hold of me for many years.

Youssou N'Dour: Guide (Wommat)
Uzva: Niittoaika
Bob Marley: Uprising
Benny More: El Barbaro Del Ritmo
Jethro Tull: Aqualung

The works of Gabriel Garcia-Marquez and Hermann Hesse

Siu-Tung Ching: Chinese Ghost Story
Alejandro Gonzáles Iñarritu: Amores Perros

Cuba, Dharamsala in India, Brazil...

Spring.

I'm stepping on stage and see the flutist from our band Kuukumina standing where the sound engineer should be.

All kinds of trickery, playing with balls, and Frisbee. Wushu-kungfu,
polishing rocks, reading and slappin' drums.

Sometimes I just get a really strong craving for rolls, doughnuts and other goodies...

Real drums with real skins instead of electronics!