Ville Kangas: “The intention is always to find whether it is via odd combinations of instruments or sounds, through an unexpected choice of style, or by experimenting with these combinations a new angle naturally.”
Fiddler Ville Kangas was born Jaakko Wiljami in 1977. He is a well respected musician and composer in Kaustinen, Finland. His second solo album, released in summer 2005, made Ville Kangas a sought-after musician on the Finnish music scene.
Ville is a descendant of musical families in Kaustinen through both his parents, and famous ancestors – Wiljami Niittykoski, Aaro Kentala, Markun Joonas – reveal strong “pelimanni” roots. The family includes both the popular folk music group Kankaan pelimannit from the 1970s and the Kangas brothers on the classical music scene. It was with classical music that Ville, too, started his musical career, from which he took his first sabbatical at the age of five. With his godfather Mauno Jarvela, Ville went on his first domestic as well as international tours while he was still a little rascal, and he successfully absorbed all the teachings from older folk musicians.
While he was studying in Kaustinen College of Music, Ville’s future values started to dawn on him and he developed an interest in practical musicianship rather than in his studies. Still officially a student at the Sibelius Academy, Ville was carried away by work, there was no more time to study. Pushed forward by his philosophies of life fostering versatility and avoiding boredom, Ville has traveled from one pursuit to another. JPP and Luna Nova are familiar names to the friends of folk music, and to Ville, significant band experiences.
Ville believes it is this cross-breeding of classical and folk as well as popular music that explains his style of composition that is based strongly on melody. Natural combining of elements is premeditated and intentional. His precious folk band Prusikoukku already crossed the borders in the 90s. Another project was called Velho, with former Hedningarna singers Tellu Turkka and Liisa Matveinen, that blended Kalevala-style rune singing and rock.
In the Finnish popular music circles, Ville is known as a flexible professional with the ability to adapt. He has been working not only as a musician but also as a producer. T
The album Yöaika, dashed into the world of instrumental music. On the album Ville and his electric violin are joined by Tomi Havinen (drums), Osmo Ikonen (keybords and vocals), Vesa Laasanen (guitar and Irish bouzouki) and Juha-Matti Rautiainen (bass).
This is how Ville ponders upon the theme of the CD and the origin of his music : “…Yöaika (translates ‘night time’) refers to the familiar feeling one has in the night that time seems to slow down or stop. Your mind wanders around randomly, at times standing still, at times running wildly here and there. The best time to make music is night time.”
Original biography by Antti Huntus, translated by Hilkka Rauhala.
Discography:
Suuri erehdys (2001)
Yöaika (2005)
Qwenland (2013)
Plastic Fiddle Band (2017)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
