Start Listening To: Jaakko Eino Kalevi

Navigating sonic constellations: Jaakko Eino Kalevi's cosmic journey in Chaos Magic.

Finnish artist Jaakko Eino Kalevi shines as a sonic alchemist, effortlessly blending genres to create something truly otherworldly. As he prepares to unveil his upcoming album Chaos Magic, a vibrant tapestry of experimental pop, the enigmatic artist sits down to discuss his creative journey and the myriad influences that shape his ethereal sound.

For those unfamiliar with your music, can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and about the music you make?

I am Jaakko Eino Kalevi and I´m from Jyväskylä, Finland. Maybe the right words to describe my music are Avant Pop or Experimental Pop.

Your upcoming album Chaos Magic seems to traverse a wide range of genres, from cosmic jazz to neon synthpop. How did you approach blending these diverse elements into a cohesive double album?

I realised that is the way I work. If you listen to my earlier albums they are pretty much collections of recordings from a certain time period. I listen to many kinds of music and get my inspiration from that so it can be heard in my music as well. I think there is still a very recognizable sound on the album that ties everything together.

Could you elaborate on the creative journey behind Chaos Magic?

I would say the biggest change for the previous records was that I worked a lot with my friend Teemu who I share a studio with. It was great to reflect ideas with him and it made the whole process very enjoyable and efficient. There is also more collaboration songs than ever before. That was also a very pleasant experience. Some were done remotely and some in our studio. Soundwise, I think this album is more electronic and present.

Collaborations play a significant role on this album. How did working with artists like Alma Jodorowsky, Jimi Tenor, and Faux Real enhance the sonic landscape and overall storytelling of the album?

To me it is like a collection of short stories. I very much enjoyed having more collaborations on this album and I think it widens the musical spectrum a lot. Like I said earlier, some collaborations were done in our studio in Athens but most of them remotely.

How does this Chaos Magic reflect your artistic evolution and growth as a musician?

I feel like this album is more musical and more present than my previous albums. Working with my friend Teemu Takatalo helped a lot to shape the album. He did the recording, mixing and co-produced the album with me. It´s very nice to talk about ideas with another person whose taste you trust. I feel I have developed as a musician but it is difficult to say how. I find myself also looking back at things that I have done in the past and getting inspiration from them.

 How did your new home of Athens influence the creation of the album? In what ways did the city's energy and atmosphere seep into the music?

Athens is a very lively place and there is a nice art scene. Culturally it is also quite different from the place I come from and I always find that inspiring. I guess if you are encountering new things you are more alert and activated.

The album artwork is intriguing, particularly the reference to Chaos as a goddess in Greek mythology. How does this visual representation align with the themes and concepts of the album?

There is a lot of visual things going on in the album art. My good friend and a Finnish legend Vilunki 3000 made special illustrations for each song which are opening the idea behind the song and bringing some new angles to them as well. In the gatefold there is a painting by Flaminia Veronesi which is exploring the same idea, all the songs exist in the landscape as some visual element. So the music and the album art is actually very much connected in this way.

Could you delve into your creative process when writing lyrics? How do you approach creating poetic and evocative lyrics that complement the music?

It depends on the song but the main tool for me is the words I write down in my notes. I collect lyrical ideas over time and when it comes down to recording I have lyrics so I sit down and use the words from there. Some song ideas come with a sentence or two but some don’t.

Chaos Magic took shape over two years and in various locations. How did the process of initial demos in different places contribute to the final sound, and how did Athens' Mutual Sound Studios play a pivotal role in shaping the album?

Mutual Studios played a very crucial role in the album making. It is a studio we share with few friends in Athens and I would say it was one of the reasons I moved to Athens. We have developed it over the years and it´s nice when you can have your time and revisit stuff as much as you like. We have a very encouraging and inspiring atmosphere there.

What do you love right now?

I love a good coffee rush and watermelon.

What do you hate right now?

I hate bad tomatoes.

Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why it’s still important to you?

King Crimson: In The Court Of The Crimson King. Such a vibey album! It has great riffs, beauty and some funny parts too. A timeless classic! That album always takes me back to some autumnal music listening nights. 

If your new album could be the soundtrack to any classic movie, which one would you choose, and why?

I would say Being John Malcovich. It´s one of my favourite films and I think this album´s songs would be a good fit.

What do you hope listeners take away from Chaos Magic?

I hope that they have open ears for it and can appreciate the diversity of the album.