A powerfully expressive voice, deep-rooted kantele and invenve percussion: fleet-fingered virtuoso and one-woman band Maija Kauhanen specialises in Finnish kantele. Weaving together polyrhythms and organic beats, she creates unique soundscapes and compelling grooves.

One of the most internationally successful folk musicians from Finland, Maija Kauhanen, releases her second solo album Menneet (The Past). On the album Menneet Kauhanen takes a step towards being a singer-songwriter, but the album is sll strongly focused on her virtuoso kantele playing. Musical influences from folk music, indie pop, and film music can be heard on the album. All music is composed and performed by Maija Kauhanen, except Käärme - the lyrics of which are a combinaon of Maija’s and tradional texts.

The music and soundscapes Maija created for Menneet are inspired by her life, and the sounds heard whilst touring the world as a solo arst. The music tells stories of courage, meaningful meengs, and seng one’s boundaries; about the things that prevent us from being free, and those that hold us back; facing and dealing with the things that stop us from pursuing our dreams and doing the things we enjoy.

“During recent years I have been thinking a lot about personal space; what does it mean, how much space is enough, how can you find it and maintain it. That has been a big inspiraon for composing the music. I also love to experiment and play with new soundscapes and playing techniques.” says Kauhanen.

Kauhanen specialises in the rare Saarijärvi kantele and its tradional playing technique - using a small wooden sck as a pick. On this album she plays a 23-string Saarijärvi kantele (Saarijärven kantele in Finnish) with 7 bass strings and 16 melody strings, built by her father, luthier Kari Kauhanen. Maija plays the kantele in various tunings and with different playing styles, using: her fingers, a ny wooden sck as a plectrum, a cello bow, an E-bow (electronic bow), as well as other preparaon materials like Blu Tack. In addion to Saarijärvi kantele, 5-string kantele and a 39-string concert kantele are heard on tracks 3 and 4.

On this record, her percussion set is made up of a kick drum, juju bean shaker, cymbals, wind bells, enamel pots & bowls, silver plates, metal muffin ns, trays and assorted kitchen utensils found at flea markets.

Kauhanen's vocals are inspired by imitang instrument sounds, rural music tradions of Finland and Karelia and the Swedish kulning vocal tradion.