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Hutsul Warrior Song for Ukraine • with Nikolaj, Marian, Martin & Michal

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Hutsul Warrior Song for Ukraine • with Nikolaj, Marian, Martin & Michal

While in the Czech Republic a few months after Russia invaded Ukraine, a group of musicians from different cultures within the Carpathian Mountains (Valach from the Czech side and Hutsul from the Ukrainian) came together to play a Hutsul warrior song for Ukraine.

Covid Mashup • with Antti Järvelä, Esko Järvelä & Maija Pokela

Covid Mashup • with Antti Järvelä, Esko Järvelä & Maija Pokela

Here’s a Finnish/American musical mashup of traditional tunes from my final Otherlands collaboration of this first year. Lockdowns hit hard around the world while I was in Finland and the gigging landscape changed in a big way. Testing the waters with Antti Järvelä (guitar), Esko Järvelä (fiddle), and Maija Pokela (kantele, voice).

Love Song From Kauhava • with Maija Pokela & Antti Järvelä

Love Song From Kauhava • with Maija Pokela & Antti Järvelä

After a couple weeks in Kaustinen, I hit the country roads and headed southwest to Härmä. There I spent the afternoon with a great vocalist and kantele player, Maija Pokela, and guitarist Antti Järvelä on a rare happy love song from the region.

Finnish Cabin & Fiddle House • with Esko Järvelä [OTHERLANDS: Finland]

Finnish Cabin & Fiddle House • with Esko Järvelä [OTHERLANDS: Finland]

Winter turned to spring as coronavirus took over and we hunkered down in cabin in the small town of Kaustinen, Finland. It’s a place known for its strong fiddling tradition, and Esko Järvelä helped show me the ways.

Shamisen, Shaukachi, Fiddle • w/ Yutaka Oyama & Akihito Obama

Shamisen, Shaukachi, Fiddle • w/ Yutaka Oyama & Akihito Obama

Three instruments. Three “movements.” Before arriving to Japan, I made plans to join shamisen musician Yutaka Oyama for a gig and recording session. Covid-19 canceled our gig, but thankfully we were still able to record. Akihito Obama joined us on shakuhachi (bamboo flute) and we made some magical moments.

Miyama Village • with Yukky & Taro Inoue

Miyama Village • with Yukky & Taro Inoue

By trains, by bus, and by foot, I arrived to the small village of Miyama in the countryside near Kyoto, Japan. I spent the day wandering through streets of traditional thatch-roofed homes and the evening making music with Yukky (voice) and Taro (mandolin).