Finnish Folk Duo, Vellamo Returns to the Village Lyceum in Petersham on Sunday, September 10
The Finnish performance and songwriting team of Pia Leinonen and Joni Tiala, also known as Vellamo, will be at the Village Lyceum at the Unitarian Church, on the historic Petersham Town Common on Sunday,September 10 at 2:00 p.m.e, followed by a wine and cheese reception. The Lyceum engagement will be a stop on their European, New Zealand and American tour.
Vellamo’s music, which is characterized by haunting melodies, features Pia's ethereal lead vocals and Joni's virtuosic guitar stylings. Known for establishing a rapport with any audience, they perform original songs in English as well as their native Finnish as well as traditional ballads from the Finnish, Celtic and Scandinavian folk traditions.
Joni Tiala, originally from the Finnish port of Kokkola, began playing guitar at the age of 11. He is now a master of several stringed instruments. His eclectic musical background includes writing and performing for theater, progressive and alternative rock and Finnish and western folk. In addition to his work in Vellamo, Joni is an accomplished theater and session musician, and is founding member of the renowned Finnish progressive rock band, Moonwagon.
Vellamo combines the rich tradition of Finnish folksong with an appealing “retro” sensibility (recalling the likes of Judy Collins or Richard and Mimi Fariña), creating an exotic and magical acoustic experience. Pia and Joni have even been known to sneak in a “Vellamo-ized” Jethro Tull song now and then just to shake things up! A visit to the world of Vellamo is an enchanting, educational and unforgettable musical journey.
Vellamo’s first album, which was recorded in Vermont, was released in 2014 and features 7 original songs, written in both Finnish and English, as well as traditional songs from the Finnish, Swedish and English folk song traditions. Vellamo's second album, Trad was recorded with a full band and released in 2014. A third album, “Koskenkylä” (Whitewater Village) was released in November 2015.
The Finnish performance and songwriting team of Pia Leinonen and Joni Tiala, also known as Vellamo, will be at the Village Lyceum at the Unitarian Church, on the historic Petersham Town Common on Sunday,September 10 at 2:00 p.m.e, followed by a wine and cheese reception. The Lyceum engagement will be a stop on their European, New Zealand and American tour.
Vellamo’s music, which is characterized by haunting melodies, features Pia's ethereal lead vocals and Joni's virtuosic guitar stylings. Known for establishing a rapport with any audience, they perform original songs in English as well as their native Finnish as well as traditional ballads from the Finnish, Celtic and Scandinavian folk traditions.
 |
| Pia and Joni take questions at the concert in 2015. |
Joni Tiala, originally from the Finnish port of Kokkola, began playing guitar at the age of 11. He is now a master of several stringed instruments. His eclectic musical background includes writing and performing for theater, progressive and alternative rock and Finnish and western folk. In addition to his work in Vellamo, Joni is an accomplished theater and session musician, and is founding member of the renowned Finnish progressive rock band, Moonwagon.
Vellamo combines the rich tradition of Finnish folksong with an appealing “retro” sensibility (recalling the likes of Judy Collins or Richard and Mimi Fariña), creating an exotic and magical acoustic experience. Pia and Joni have even been known to sneak in a “Vellamo-ized” Jethro Tull song now and then just to shake things up! A visit to the world of Vellamo is an enchanting, educational and unforgettable musical journey.
Vellamo’s first album, which was recorded in Vermont, was released in 2014 and features 7 original songs, written in both Finnish and English, as well as traditional songs from the Finnish, Swedish and English folk song traditions. Vellamo's second album, Trad was recorded with a full band and released in 2014. A third album, “Koskenkylä” (Whitewater Village) was released in November 2015.
 |
| Pia enjoyed meeting members of the local Finnish community at the 2015 Village Lyceum. However, you needn't be Finnish to enjoy this remarkable duo. |
The Village Lyceum serves as a fundraiser to maintain historic preservation and energy upgrades for the six pillar Unitarian Church that is central to maintaining the beauty of the Petersham Common Historic District. Ticket price is on a sliding scale, $8 - $15, children 6 years and under are free of charge. For further information, contact Genevieve Fraser atFraserGenevieve@gmail.com or telephone (978) 544-1872, or or Rini Kilcoyne at Tel. (508) 735- 1411.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Finnish performance and songwriting team, Pia Leinonen and Joni Tiala, also known as Vellamo, stand next to their touring van in 2015. They return to the sanctuary of the First Congregational Parish Unitarian, Petersham on Sunday, September 10 at 2:00 p.m. For further information, contact Genevieve Fraser at FraserGenevieve@gmail.com or telephone(978) 544-1872, or or Rini Kilcoyne at Tel. (508) 735- 1411.
