The Latebirds
Sweet, sweet, bittersweet
The Latebirds, founded in Helsinki early this millennium, is a slightly different animal among the Finnish bands singing in English in that they are influenced by the American, and not British, tradition. Their music bears resemblance to material by artists such as Tom Petty, Neil Young and The Jayhawks, and is mostly filed under alternative country, roots rock, folk rock and power pop. The quintet, led by singer-guitarist Markus Nordenstreng, finds its inspiration in the timeless, soulful spaciousness of the vast continent of North America, the barren prairie and the endless, wind-swept plains.
But they're not riding the sunset trail alone. The Latebirds has always been good at selecting their friends: they have toured with Wilco and Patti Smith and been the first Finnish band ever to play the legendary concert hall Ryman Auditorium / Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, the very place where Johnny Cash and Hank Williams performed early on in their careers. The Latebirds' third album Last of the Good Ol' Days, released last autumn, was produced in Southern California by Jim Scott, who has been awarded several Grammies for his work with Tom Petty and Dixie Chicks, among others. And did I mention that additional sessions for the album took place at Levon Helm's home studios in Woodstock, New York State, where the band worked together with Kris Kristofferson?
Now that Ilosaarirock Festival is turning 40, The Latebirds fly back to their home country and play their first-ever gig in Joensuu. Find a safe haven in the middle of the festival turmoil and let yourself be teleported to the heartlands of America.
