motel void

MOTEL VOID: You’re from Helsinki, Finland. How would you describe the current music scene there? Do you feel that you’re part of it?

MIKKO JOENSUU: I think the scene is very alive, although in the last five years I’ve spent most of my time by myself so It’s hard to think I’m part of a scene at the moment. But hopefully that will change soon as I start to play live and actually get to see people more. There’s music being released all of the time from Helsinki so there must be a scene somewhere.

MOTEL VOID: Could you name your favorite local venues and artists?

MIKKO JOENSUU: Tavasia is always a good place to see gigs. Tenho and Lepakkomies for smaller shows. Aho, Hash, Siinai are good local artists.

MOTEL VOID: You’ve just released a new album ‘Long Ark‘ which is almost 90 minutes long. Could you tell us more about the recording and writing process of this record?

MIKKO JOENSUU: Process started in 2019. In the first year I only did piano/guitar/singing improvisations which I only recorded on my phone . Then slowly started to take the songs further. I had around 80 songs which I reduced to 20. I split them into two separate albums and worked on them for two years. At some point I realised that there was simply too much music to work with, I feared I couldn’t ever get them done so I decided to finish one first. The finalisation of Long Ark started in January 2023. I got it done November 2023, maybe 5 years after I started the process.

MOTEL VOID: Who is your biggest inspiration right now?

MIKKO JOENSUU: Contemporary artist Milja Havas.

MOTEL VOID: Your plans for 2024?

MIKKO JOENSUU: Planning to play live alot. Play with other people and for other people. Hang with people. And of course to make more new music.