Mikko H. Haapoja – Artist interview

Mikko H. Haapoja – Artist interview

Question: Helsingin Reitit – The Routes of Helsinki turns 15 this year. What inspired you to start this project in 2010? 

Haapoja: I was introduced to using the sounds of our environment in art while studying at the Sibelius Academy and got very interested. During my Master’s studies, I decided to focus on capturing the soundscape of my birthplace Helsinki, and compose not only with traditional instruments but also with soundscapes. I am interested in urban planning and the Helsinki Routes project brings me close to it, even though I am a musician and sound artist by profession. 

Question: Was there anything in particular that you enjoyed while creating the Unheard Landscapes solo project? 

Haapoja: I am interested in creating big, cinematic soundscapes, and it is in my solo music that I am most free to combine my favourite things, such as Savo-Karelian bowed lyres, new electronic and old traditional music, and soundscapes from around the world. 

Question: What do you like about performing in Japan? 

Haapoja: Japan is a great place to perform, the audience is dedicated to music and art, and there is a kind of homey feel to the country. Perhaps the relationship with nature and a certain tranquillity unites Finns and Japanese. But also I love how in Japan, the respect for the forest and even individual stones, for example, is even more profound than in Finland. 

Mikko H. Haapoja (MMus) is a musician, media artist and music producer from Helsinki, Finland. In his solo project, Haapoja combines new electroacoustic folk music with soundscapes from all around the globe. Haapoja plays jouhikko, Savo-Karelian bowed lyre, and its bass version as his main instruments. Since 2010, Haapoja has captured the sonic image of the Finnish capital in his sound art project Helsingin reitit – The Routes of Helsinki. The project consists of radiophonic pieces, installations and multidisciplinary art performances about urban experiencing. In addition to Helsinki, Haapoja’s art has been exhibited for example in New York and Berlin.