Pekko Käppi (b. 1976, Tampere) is a Finnish jouhikko player, singer, composer and ethnomusicologist who has done more than anyone to revive the ancient Finnish-Karelian bowed lyre. By plugging the instrument into an amplifier in the late 1990s he found a distorted, blues-inflected sound that became entirely his own, and he has since built a body of work - both solo and with his band K:H:H:L - that spans archaic runo-singing, rock and experimental noise. He teaches part-time at the Sibelius Academy and is conducting doctoral research into traditional folk singing.
Pekko Käppi & K:H:H:L released their sixth album 'Oli kerran ryytimaassa...' on Svart Records on 26 September 2025.
Käppi was nominated as one of Finland's two candidates for the 2025 Nordic Council Music Prize, announced in May 2025.
The 2025 Nordic Council Music Prize was ultimately awarded to Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson, announced on 21 October 2025.
Käppi provided jouhikko for the TV series 'To Cook a Bear' (2025, 6 episodes), continuing his work as a film and TV musician.
The band's fifth K:H:H:L album 'Credo' was released in 2023 on Nordic Notes, recorded in a single eight-hour session at The Sound of JJ studio in Tampere.
concert18:30Two performances featuring music from multiple continents. Compañía Kaari & Roni Martin presents Goes ROOTS, a fusion of Arabic, Jewish and flamenco music with Finnish joik. Followed by Pekko Käppi & K:H:H:L exploring Finnish and Karelian musical heritage.
concert18:30Two international music groups present a blend of traditional and modern rhythm music. The evening explores immigration and the history of Finnish joik.
concert18:30International Compañía Kaari & Roni Martin presents Goes ROOTS, where Arabic, Jewish and flamenco music meet Finnish joik. Also featuring Pekko Käppi & K:H:H:L, blending Finnish and Karelian tradition with contemporary rhythm music.
festival14:00Stoa hosts Finland Nature Day at Hallainvuori with guided walks, insect research, and a forest concert featuring kantele artist Pekko Käppi. Free admission.
festival14:00Finland Nature Day featuring a literary walk, insect exploration and jouhikko concert in the forest. Pekko Käppi, Riikka Kaihovaara and Sanja Hakala lead a programme for all ages.
concert19:00Finnish folk-rock quartet Pekko Käppi & K:H:H:L performs at Malmitalo, blending folk, blues, and psychedelic rock.
