"There’s so much to like about Vellamo’s music, which has a strong, and intensely appealing, retro feel – kinda Trader Horne/first-album Fairport, maybe more than a hint of the Fariñas, with a touch of early-electric-Dylan/McGuinn jangle, get the picture? ”David Kidman / FATEA Magazine (UK)
"Even foreign texts can shine like a star on a clear sky. Great debut release!" Philip Verhaege/ Keys and Chords
"With half the songs sung in Finnish and the rest in English, it's something of a beautiful oddity with Leinonen's fragile vocals central to what's best described as psyche folk with strong 1960s pop undercurrents." JA/ R2 Rock 'N' Reel (U.K.)
Vellamo is led by the performing and songwriting team of Pia Leinonen and Joni Tiala. Their music is characterized by haunting melodies, Pia's ethereal lead vocals and Joni's virtuosic guitar stylings. In Finnish mythology, Vellamo is the goddess of the sea. Based in Kokkola, on the western coast of Finland, Vellamo combines the rich tradition of Finnish folksong with an appealing “retro” sensibility, creating a modern folk music experience.
Pia Leinonen, originally from the arctic region of Lapland, is Vellamo’s lead singer. Her exquisite voice combines her love and vast knowledge of Finnish folk music with the western singer–songwriter tradition in a unique and beautiful way. Her moving and evocative expression has been compared to other story-centric performers such as Joan Baez and Marlene Dietrich.
Joni Tiala, originally from the Finnish port of Kokkola, began playing guitar at the age of 11. His eclectic musical background includes writing and performing for theater, progressive and alternative rock and Finnish and western folk. In addition to his work in Vellamo, Joni is an accomplished theater and session musician, and is founding member of the renowned Finnish progressive rock band, Moonwagon.
In addition to shows in their homeland, Vellamo spends half of each year touring abroad; their adventures have led them throughout the United States, Europe and New Zealand.
Vellamo released their first album in early 2013. The album was engineered and co-produced by renowned folk musician Ken Anderson (Hungrytown) in Vermont, US. It features both original and traditional songs.
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