LIVE REPORT: JoJo & Friends vol.3
Featuring Julye Blom & Paul Elias
Junk Y Vegan; April 17th, 2024
Helsinki Indie Live Underground
After I sadly missed the March edition of Jojo & Friends, I managed to drag my tired and cranky buns to the center of Helsinki to the vegan restaurant, Junk Y Vegan, that’s the host of Johanna von Hertzen’s monthly club, Jojo & Friends. This month’s edition featured Julye Blom—a bluesy singer that I’ve been hoping to see live sometime—and Paul Elias, who was a totally new name for me.
Read the live report from JoJo & Freind vol. 1 here!
Images by Pat Zenteno
Junk Y Vegan, as I learned the hard way last time, is in the back corner in the alley-side of Sanomatalo, where Painobaari used to be back in the day. I did use this show as an opportunity to meet with a local photographer, Pat Zenteno, whose acquaintance I made at an online workshop last month. She came with her camera and I came with a half-dead brain… though I didn’t seem to be alone. The 17th was one of those days where the space juju was off (or something), because everyone I know—regardless of which side of the planet they live on—was having an exhausting, weird/bad day.
This event has expanded a bit from the first edition in February, as it now included a brief interview segment before each of the Friends took the stage. However, first things first… this time, JoJo’s keyboardist, Sampsa Pietilä had the chance to open the night by playing one of his own solo songs first! I could probably watch that guy do a solo show for hours if I had the chance—he’s a great keyboardist and an equally great singer, so it was nice to get a chance to hear some of his own music.
After he wrapped up, JoJo joined him and Taneli Rantala (guitars) on stage and started up by mentioning that they were having a draw for two tickets to Tikkurila festival, so if you bought something, you could put your name on the back of your receipt and have a chance to win. They then started up the latest single, “Ihana Lutka,” which I will never get sick of hearing live because it has great lyrics and the absolute catchiest riff. Plus, y’know, she just always looks like she’s having so much fun singing it! Worth mentioning that the second song, “Et Saa (Mua Omaksi Omistaa)” was sounding fresh, though I can’t quite put a specific finger on why.
The first guest of the night was Julye Blom; I’d heard a few of her singles before, very likely because JoJo or another one of the indie ladies had shouted her out. The two of them sat down on the couch on the stage and JoJo asked her a few questions, which I unfortunately could not quite hear over the sound of the bar, the quietness of Julye’s mic, and the fact that I’m not all that good at Finnish. So, I missed out on that a bit, alas, but at least I finally learned that “Julye” is pronounced like “Julie,” because I’d been wondering for some time. Now, as a singer, Julye has the most gorgeous bluesy/jazzy voice that she really knows how to use, so I was very pleased to get to hear her singing “Summer Breeze,” which is her oldest and most-played single on the usual platforms (for good reason). It’s also nice to hear these stripped-down versions, with the guitars and keyboards adding flourishes more than strictly playing back-up. It’s more of an interplay and feels quite fun. When JoJo joined her on stage for the second song, it was fun to hear her putting on a bit of a different style to match—I suppose that is a big part of why these musaklubit are so much fun.
There was an intermission in the music between acts after “Itsepähän tyttösi valitsit” [you chose your own girl] that allowed JoJo & company to take a little break, have a drink and some food if needed, and gather themselves before round two.
It’s worth mentioning that I really adore Sampsa and Taneli on stage… they’re a sort of great duo of Finnish types: Sampsa is a friendly, cheerful sort that’ll chat with the crowd, smile, and make some jokes, while Taneli is the more traditional quiet, reserved Finn… and they always make sure that the stage is never silent, by jamming around a bit whenever there’s moments of quiet or talking/introductions. They’re both great to watch/hear on their own, so it’s only more fun that they play together so well.
“Oispa Meil Siivet” was first up after the break, followed by “Valo Joka Pelkää Pimeetä,” which ended with JoJo up on the couch in her socks, while I was sitting there wondering how are these keyboard parts so good!? Afterwards, it was time to invite her next guest for a brief interview, Paul Elias, and I did catch her asking what sorts of songs he plays, though I didn’t catch the answer. I did appreciate him for seemingly putting on every piece of orange clothing he had on to match with JoJo—nice touch!
After the interview, the first thing Paul did was teach us that you can, indeed, shred on a ukulele, which also explained why the password for the table reservation was “ukulele” this time (I had, admittedly, been wondering about it). This track, I discovered after spinning his most recent album (“Post sinä” 2023)) yesterday, is the final song, “Vuosi Vuodelta,” and you should check it out because of the crazy ukulele parts… one must always appreciate a person who can put a ukulele to good use. This song ended with Paul on the couch, wearing JoJo’s hat, so naturally, the atmosphere amongst musicians in these clubs is also a lot of fun to watch. The second song was slower, more like a ballad, though I didn’t catch its name, unfortunately.
After this set, they did the draw and a young woman collected her festival tickets, accompanied by more funky backing jams from Sampsa and Taneli. The club then wrapped up with all of the artists coming out together to perform JoJo’s song, “All In,” which is a fun song choice, since all of the performers are in, so to speak. It’s also just the most fun way to wrap up this sort of event. So, if you haven’t been yet, definitely come check out JoJo & Friends! These are a lot of fun, they’ve got free entry, and you have a great opportunity to check out fresh artists from the local scene doing something a bit differently!
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Enjoy my favorite music from the indie music scene in Finland here!
