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Ismo Alanko

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Ismo Alanko
Ismo Alanko at Teatria, December 10, 2011.
Ismo Alanko at Teatria, December 10, 2011.
Background information
Birth nameIsmo Kullervo Alanko
Also known asKullervo Kivi
Jari Kullervo[1]
Toomas Eest[2]
Born (1960-11-12) November 12, 1960 (age 63)
Kerava, Finland
OriginJoensuu, Finland
GenresRock
Instrument(s)Singing, guitar, bass, keyboards, cello
Years active1979–present
LabelsPoko, Fullsteam
Websitewww.ismoalanko.com

Ismo Kullervo Alanko (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈismo ˈʔɑlɑŋko]; born November 12, 1960) is a Finnish musician. He is known as the frontman of several bands, most famously Hassisen Kone, Sielun Veljet and Ismo Alanko Säätiö, as well as a successful solo artist.

Alanko is known for his versatility and interest in different musical styles. During his career he has recorded punk rock, alternative rock, progressive rock, electronic music, schlager, dance music, children's music and film scores. He has achieved eight platinum records, 16 gold records and four Emma awards.[3] Also a recognized lyricist, Alanko won the Juha Vainio Writer's Award (Juha Vainio -sanoittajapalkinto) in 2003 for his song texts.[4]

In a City magazine article in 1999, 43 Finnish journalists picked the top 99 Finnish rock artists. Ismo Alanko placed 20th, with his former bands Hassisen Kone and Sielun Veljet placing 12th and 4th, respectively.[5]

Alanko comes from a musical family: of his two younger brothers, Petri Alanko is a reputed classical flute player, Ilkka Alanko is the singer/guitarist of Neljä Ruusua, and his sister Satu Alanko-Rautamaa a violinist, and a member or the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra.

Biography

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Background

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Alanko was born on November 12, 1960, in Kerava, but grew up in Joensuu, North Karelia.[6] As a 15-year-old he played in a band called Sight, already writing some of his own songs. In the Finnish Rock Championship, an annual competition for young musicians, the band finished second in the progressive rock category. After completing his secondary education degree (ylioppilastutkinto), he took a break from music to move to work in Stockholm.[7]

Hassisen Kone

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After returning to Finland in 1979, Alanko, then 19 years of age, gained immediate success as the singer, songwriter and rhythm guitarist of the new wave group Hassisen Kone. They won the Finnish rock championship in 1980 and recorded three very successful albums, Täältä tullaan Venäjä, Rumat sävelet and Harsoinen teräs, where the band went from punk-related new wave to progressive rock. All three remain among the best-selling records in Alanko's career. Hassisen Kone disbanded in 1982.

Sielun Veljet

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Soon after Hassisen Kone broke up, Alanko and former Hassisen Kone guitarist Jukka Orma started Sielun Veljet. Some of their early audience was expecting another Hassisen Kone, but instead the band played aggressive and repetitive post-punk. Only one Sielun Veljet album came close to reaching Hassisen Kone's album sales (L'amourha, 1985), but the band gained fame for their powerful, loud and intense live performances. The band toured constantly and played a wide variety of musical styles, including old schlager hits under the alias Kullervo Kivi & Gehenna. Sielun Veljet quit in 1991, after seven studio albums, two EPs, a box set and a 1991 documentary film titled Veljet.

Solo career

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Alanko's solo debut, Kun Suomi putos puusta, was released in 1990. At this point Sielun Veljet still existed, but the band had become less and less active. After the band broke up, Alanko recorded the electronic music -influenced Jäätyneitä lauluja and toured Finland with his band that was named Tuonelan Lukio. The band's keyboardist was Izmo Heikkilä of the band Raptori.[3] Alanko went on to release two more solo albums, Taiteilijaelämää (1995) and Irti (1996).

In 1997, a four-CD box set Alangolla – Ismo Alangon lauluja was released. It spanned his entire career starting from Hassisen Kone and including material from different side projects. Until then, very few Finnish artists had released a box set. Sielun Veljet had released Musta laatikko in 1991 and CMX their collection Cloaca Maxima in 1997.

Alanko's most popular song, "Pop-musiikkia", was recorded in 1997 with fellow rock stars Ilkka Alanko (of Neljä Ruusua), Kalle Ahola (of Don Huonot) and A. W. Yrjänä (of CMX) under the name Neljä baritonia (Four Baritones). The single has been certified platinum in Finland[8] and is one of the most successful songs of all time on the Finnish singles chart.[9]

In 2002, Alanko appeared on Timo Rautiainen's platinum-selling Tiernapojat play with Jarkko Martikainen, Toni Wirtanen and Rautiainen himself, playing King Herod.

In 2009, Alanko continues his varied projects playing with contemporary Finnish artists. In April he joined former Alanko Säätiö percussionist Teho Majamäki onstage as Teholla at Helsinki's mini-festival Arctic Paradise Live, having the same evening performed a solo concert in the Ateneum Art Museum series (A Land Without Kantele) with resident houseband of Jarmo Saari (guitars), Arttu Tolonen (bass) and Abdissa "Mamba" Assefa (drums).

Ismo Alanko Säätiö

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In 1998, Alanko started the semi-ironically named Ismo Alanko Säätiö (Ismo Alanko Foundation). Though Säätiö performed many of Alanko's old hits, the arrangements were radically revamped to fit with their unique acoustic sound, heavily featuring the avant-garde accordion sound of Kimmo Pohjonen, a successful artist in his own right. Even though Säätiö is a band, it can be said that it is a backing band for solo performances by Alanko, as members of the band have changed rapidly.

Ismo Alanko Teholla

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In 2007, Alanko ended Säätiö in its current form, and began touring with multi-instrumentalist Teho Majamäki as "Ismo Alanko Teholla". The name of the band is a play on words, and can mean either "Ismo Alanko with Power" or "Ismo Alanko in ICU (Intensive Care Unit)".[10]

Instruments

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Alanko studied classical cello in his youth, but didn't pursue a classical career because he felt it would require too much practice. In Hassisen Kone and onwards, he has played rhythm guitar in his bands in addition to singing. He still occasionally plays the cello, as well as the piano, both in the studio and on live performances.

Alanko composed the music for the 2007 TV series Taivaan tulet by Kari Väänänen. Alanko also played all instruments for the score, except for flute parts that were played by his brother Petri. Alanko has said that the decision to play all the instruments himself came "out of curiosity".[11]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Year Title Performer Chart
Peak
[12][13]
Certification[14] Label
1990 Kun Suomi putos puusta Ismo Alanko - Gold (1999) Seal on Velvet
1993 Jäätyneitä lauluja Ismo Alanko 31 Gold (2002) Seal on Velvet
1995 Taiteilijaelämää Ismo Alanko 17
[15]
Gold (1998) Poko
1996 Irti Ismo Alanko 3 Poko
2008 Blanco Spirituals Ismo Alanko Teholla 1 Fullsteam
2013 Maailmanlopun Sushibaari Ismo Alanko 1 Fullsteam / Sony
2013 Maailmanlopun Sushibaari-Erikoispainos
(Special edition)
Ismo Alanko 12 Fullsteam / Sony
2015 Ismo Kullervo Alanko Ismo Alanko 6 Fullsteam / Sony
2017 Yksin Vanhalla Ismo Alanko 2
[16]
Fullsteam / Sony
2019 Minä halusin olla niin kuin Beethoven Ismo Alanko 2
[17]
Sony
2021 Kaiken maailman kehtolauluja Ismo Alanko and Oulu Sinfonia 6
[18]
Fullsteam / Sony
2023 Me olemme ihme Ismo Alanko 2
[19]
Fullsteam / Sony

Live albums

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Released Title Performer Chart
Peak
Certification Label
2013 Kolmannesvuosisata Taiteilijaelämää – Live Ismo Alanko 6 Fullsteam/Sony

Compilations

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Released Title Performer Chart
Peak
Certification Label
1997 Alangolla – Ismo Alangon lauluja Ismo Alanko 7 Poko
2001 Hitit 1989–2001 Ismo Alanko 11 Platinum (2004) Poko

DVDs

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Released Title Performer Certification Label
2006 Taiteilijaelämää vuosilta 1989–2006 Ismo Alanko Gold (2007) Poko

Singles

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Released Title Performer Chart
Peak
Certification Label
1993 "Extaasiin" Ismo Alanko - Poko
1993 "Kuolemalla on monet kasvot" Ismo Alanko - Poko
1995 "Taiteilijaelämää" Ismo Alanko - Poko
1995 "Kun rakkaus on rikki" Ismo Alanko - Poko
1996 "Kriisistä kriisiin" Ismo Alanko 18 Poko
1997 "Pop-musiikkia" Neljä baritonia 1 Platinum (1998) Poko
2007 "Päästänkö irti" Ismo Alanko Teholla 1 Fullsteam

References

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  1. ^ Jari Kullervo on discogs.com – Retrieved on April 8, 2008
  2. ^ Toomas Eest on discogs.com – Retrieved on April 13, 2008
  3. ^ a b Tero Valkonen on Pomus – Populaarimusiikin museo[usurped] – Retrieved on April 17, 2008
  4. ^ Pekka Nissilä: Juha Vainion Rahaston tunnustuspalkinto Ismo Alangolle Archived February 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, SELVIS magazine 3/2003
  5. ^ Suomipopin 99 suurinta, City magazine 21/1999
  6. ^ yle.fi – Elävä arkisto – Retrieved on April 9, 2008
  7. ^ yle.fi – Maan mainiot Archived March 19, 2009, at the Wayback Machine – Retrieved April 9 2008
  8. ^ ifpi.fi – Retrieved on April 17, 2008
  9. ^ finnishcharts.com – Retrieved on April 17, 2008
  10. ^ Tapio Ahola: Ismo Alanko Teholla – suuruudenhullu pienyhtye Archived July 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Vertigo, March 3, 2008
  11. ^ Sari Sainio: Vastavirtaan Archived May 11, 2008, at the Wayback MachineAamulehti, February 2, 2007
  12. ^ Ismo Alanko Teholla on finnishcharts.com – Retrieved on April 6, 2008
  13. ^ Ismo Alanko on finnishcharts.com – Retrieved on April 6, 2008
  14. ^ ifpi.fi – Retrieved on April 6, 2008
  15. ^ "Suomen Virallinen Lista".
  16. ^ "Suomen Virallinen Lista".
  17. ^ "Suomen Virallinen Lista".
  18. ^ "Albumit 37/2021". Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  19. ^ "Albumit 7/2023". Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
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