By Charmaine White
I wasn't sure what to expect when I first sat down in the auditorium at The Stables in Milton Keynes. I'd never heard of Johanna Juhola until a few weeks ago, and tango music isn't my preferred choice of music, let alone Finnish tango. However, as the lights gently dimmed and the hall fell silent, there was no big entrance for this band. The quartet modestly took to their seats and with a nod to the audience, began doing what they do best. I was suddenly caught up in their talent. From Johanna Juhola's intricate finger work on the accordion, blended with an up-tempo bass line from Sara Puljula and the jazzy twinkling of Milla Viljamaa on the piano, pulled together by a tight electronic beat from Tuomas Norvio on the synth pad, the auditorium was suddenly brought alive by the sound of Finnish tango.
Sitting there in their vibrant and bold elf-like costumes, it was clear to see that these weren't your everyday band. As double bass player Sara quipped after finishing the first song, “I'm from the Arctic Circle area of Finland...where everyone's mad!”. Their creativity and eccentric nature was evident throughout the songs to follow. From Fantasiatango, a fast moving and intense melody, enriched with minor and major sequences swept together to deliver a roller-coaster of notes, to Carlos, a smooth and stirring tribute to the famous Argentinian tango singer Carlos Gardel, which used sound clips from the original singer to supply a slightly chilling atmosphere. Each song displayed the band's incredible talent and passion for tango. At the end of the first half I was itching to hear more.
The second half began with a treat in the form of Tango In An Elevator; a song performed by Johanna and piano player Milla. The fast paced and enlightening melody, which was originally intended as lift music, was far too energetic and impressive to be used as background music. The duo blended together masterfully and it was no surprise that they had won awards for their compositions.
The rest of the gig was just as stimulating. The song Bipolar Tango, a traditional folk inspired tune pulled into the modern day by the vocals of Swedish rapper Promoe, displayed how adaptable and open-minded Finnish tango can be. A personal favourite was the song The Whales, which told the story of the loneliest whale in the ocean. Through Johanna's soulful accordion playing, Milla's gentle yet powerful vocals and the subtle backing from the double bass and live electronics, a beautiful and moving composition was created which could send you off into a dream.
As the night came to a close and the band finished with Highway 1, a melodic tune which showcased their talent perfectly, they were presented with a warm and appreciative applause. Johanna Juhola Reaktori are certainly an original and joyful band to behold. Their spirit and uniqueness make them a must-see for any tango lover, or anyone who simply appreciates ingenious and skilled musicianship.
Adventures in Well-Travelled Music
