The Latebirds with 22-Pistepirkko

Finnish rockers The Latebirds are back with a new album. RADIO INSOMNIA continues where the critically acclaimed Fortune Cookies and Latebird albums left off in 2003 – from stadium rockers to country twang, from catchy power pop to left field punk, from loud guitars to piano ballads – The Latebirds' music stands for dynamic presentation and 110% deliverance. Fellow Finns 22-pistepirkko have built up a strong cult following since their incarnation in 1980 from a former punk band, and combine pop, rock, blues, electronica and more to create songs that are "strong, funny, sad, happy, weird... ".

After one of their recent US tours, The Latebirds found themselves recording new tracks in a studio just outside of Woodstock , NY . Seven new songs were cut in less than five days, with producers Ken Coomer and Charlie Brocco sitting behind the control room’s old Neve console. The rest of the songs were recorded in various studios back home in Finland with producer Lasse Kurki. The album was eventually mixed in Nashville by Charlie Brocco, and mastered in NYC by Scott Hull.

Radio Insomnia was captured live in the studio, making it very much a full band effort. It was a conscious decision to go for a more organic approach after the previous two Latebirds albums’ multi-layered sound, which exploited the wonders of modern technology and overdubbing. This time all the band-members played and made noise together in the studio's spacious live room and these live performances were recorded directly onto 2" magnetic tape. Even some of the live vocal takes were so good that they ended up on the album just as they were captured in the first place.

The Latebirds frequent travels around the new continent provided ideas for new songs as well as firm friendships their peers. Some of these talented co-conspirators even ended up playing and singing on Radio Insomnia: Benmont Tench (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), Wayne Kramer (MC5), Ken Stringfellow (Posies, Big Star), John Stirratt (Wilco), just to name a few.

22-Pistepirkko are easily one of Scandinavia’s most eccentric and
evocative pop acts. The band’s sound and diabolical dynamic is a
luminous, surreal, guitar-based electro-pop and
proto-garage-psychedelia blended with elements of acoustic folk and
spaced-out bohemian blues-rock. 22-Pistepirkko are slightly weird, slightly childish, slightly
psychedelic, slightly rockin', but mostly epic, genius, and supremely
Finnish. This unique mix and their remarkable personalities have earned
them a dedicated fan base, and not only across Northern Europe.

22-Pistepirkko consists of brothers Asko and PK Keränen and childhood
friend Espe Haverinen. The band has been around for almost 25 years.

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