Solisee - Itkee havupuu

​Solisee

​Itkee havupuu
self-released; 2025

​​​​By ​Dino DiMuro
​

Helsinki, Finland is the place where the 1975 Helsinki Accords were reached and Frank Zappa recorded a famous live album; but it’s also where Finnish indie band Solisee calls home. They’ve just released a new single titled Itkee havupuu sung with traditional Finnish lyrics. 

Solisee has built their unique sound on Finnish folk combined with world music, featuring “bittersweet sounds and raw rhythms of Slavic and South-American music.” Their previous release was a 2022 EP titled “Roso.” Additionally the band plays live at various Helsinki venues and Finnish musical festivals, including Northern Europe’s big Kaustinen Folk Music Festival.

Itkee havupuu is described as “an ode to Mother Earth (and) a plea to stop, listen and embrace nature’s powers and sounds.” Singer-songwriter Erla Pulli wrote the song in spring of 2025 while expecting her first child. ”I thought about what kind of world my child will be born into. Nature deserves our deep respect… I believe that by deepening our connection to nature, we can also find a deeper and more genuine connection with ourselves and each other.” This single was recorded in two days at Taajusvarjostin Studio by Mikko Räihälä, with mixing and mastering by Matias Kiiveri at Hollywood House Studio. 

The band sent very little information, so I’m looking at pictures to suss out the lineup. I can see six members holding acoustic guitar, standup bass (or cello), violin and a trumpet. The track begins with a slow “shuffle” tempo with strings, walking bass, shakers and acoustic guitar. Though I can’t understand Pulli’s lyrics, I love her very young-sounding voice and gentle sincerity, and the first violin break feels present and authentic. 

Overall the sound is quite intimate, as you’d expect an all-acoustic band in a good studio to sound. In the chorus, the violin goes into longer, whining chords while Pulli gets backup vocal help from one of the boys. The trumpet takes a solo on the left channel, conjuring pleasant memories of Cash’s “Ring of Fire”. The energy builds to a lively conclusion with several different vocal harmonies, with all players joining in.

Overall a nice track and performance, though I’d love to see some lyrics next time!

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