touko + Viive

touko's "no swing tour" kicks off at G Livelab in Helsinki on 4 September. The tour celebrates the band's new EP "no swing zone", released in August. The EP takes the familiar path and dark tone into new, swing-free rhythms.

touko is a five-piece pop/jazz band known for self-written and self-produced songs featuring poetic lyrics and sensitive yet playful expression. Live performances blend theatrical elements with the improvisation characteristic of jazz.

touko: Helka Ruusumetsä - vocals, Laura Valldén - piano and backing vocals, Lisa Korkman - cello and backing vocals, Leo Ash - drums, Amos Bonsdorff - saxophone.

The evening opens with Viive - a collaboration between singer/keyboardist Riikka Suutari and multi-instrumentalist Antti Niiranen, which has developed into a four-piece band. On the duo's debut album "Sen Jälkeen Kun", jazz, prog and downtempo intertwine. The band is currently working on their second album.

Viive: Riikka Suutari - keys/vocals, Antti Niiranen - drums, Samuli Heikkinen - bass/guitar, Oula Karppinen - saxophone/guitar.