Erik Hokkanen & Lumisudet
It all began when I arrived in Finland in the summer of 1987. Austinite/Helsinki-er/friend Phillip Page whisked me away in Helsinki for a jam session/meeting with musicians from Finnish groups Fast Buck Roberts and the Town Squares and Korkkijalka at a bistro called O'Malley's. That's where I met Janne & Tommi Viksten as well as Petri Hakala. We ended up playing a lot of jams and gigs together that summer. Petri accompanied me weeks later in Kaustinen, just the two of us. We worked the next two summers together as well (1988/89). It's important to me to include Janne Viksten here, for not only did he become Lumisudet's recording engineer and banjoist years later, but during my initial breakthrough years (87-89) we played a lot together, and he helped me greatly in getting established in Finland. When I played in Kaustinen with Petri in '87, it was there I saw a fellow about my age walking barefoot with ankle bracelet, pants from South America, and T-shirt with sleeves cut off. And he was carrying a fiddle too! It turned out to be Arto Järvelä and soon we we're jamming around the fire along with Risto Hotakainen, Petri Hakala, and many others. We became fast friends and played and laughed more than I can remember. It was there I also met the girls from Värttinä, who we're still teenagers then. I sorta remember seeing Tapani Varis playing basso with them back then, but it wasn't until our first tour (1994) as Lumisudet that we played together and became friends. I recall Arto recommending Tapani for our group, and that was all I needed to hear. So Lumisudet's beginnings span at least 20 years now, and I feel blessed to get to work and play with all my brothers once again. It means a lot to me to return to Finland whenever I can, and performing with Finland's best is an honor and privilege I am ever grateful for.
Erik Hokkanen
Thank you for the great performance in Haapavesi in June. You have something special. You charmed both of us: me and my six year old daughter who started to dance immediately when the music began. --Maarit, Aquaplan
We met briefly at HaapavesiFolk and saw your gig, amazing! Never seen anything like that. We listened to your latest CD while driving back home from Kaustinen, great stuff! You're great, hope to see you again! -anna/mimmit
