What can I say about last year?
It was crazy and I'm sure I'll remember it for the rest of my life.
At least I hope so!
Now let's see.
I played about 130 gigs last year(personal record, I think), mostly in Finland but also in Japan, Germany, USA, Hungary, Norway, Ireland, Slovakia and Estonia.
I spent about 20 days in studios(not too much).
Albums released:
Tuomo: "My thing" (my first solo album, was released in january)
MP4: "The Follower" (a jazz album, I play keyboards, was recorded in march and released in the summer)
Kerkko Koskinen & UMO: "Agatha" (a big band jazz album of Kerkko's compositions, I play piano, was recorded in may and released in august)
Janna: "Right now" (I wrote and produced plus played/singed on three tracks, was released in...I don't remember)
Pepe Deluxe: "Spare time machine" (I'm featured as a vocalist on one track, released... well, sometime last year)
We also recorded stuff for Emma Salokoski Ensemble's new album (due next fall) and some Q-continuum/Quintessence-stuff (due don't ask when).
Oh boy. My intention was to write an honest recap of everything that happened last year, but now it feels like I'm bragging... Well, maybe that gives you an idea of how good 2007 was for me. I guess I'll write down some important events of the year.
- Releasing "My thing"
What a way to start a year! The record release party was such a turning point for me... Phew I was glad that I had over a month to cool down before the next gig with my own band.
- Reading the reviews
What? They actually liked it?
-Winning two Femma-awards+Emma's Emma-award
If you're not from finland I'll explain: the Emma-award is "the finnish grammy". The Femma-award is an indie version of that.
-Winning the Sony Jazz Award
Thanks.
-Ilmiliekki tour in USA
Played in NY, DC and Rochester, went to Niagara Falls, almost bought a dobro, had a GREAT time.
-Japan
Our tour in Japan was amazing! You made us feel like royalty, thank you! And the food was fantastic. Even the raw horse.
-Germany
Hard work, but a lot of fun, I hope we can do it again soon. And thanks to mr. Eiden.
-Prince live in London
Yes, the show at O2 arena was great. But it was the 2 1/2-hour aftershow that made me cry tears of joy the next morning. I'm not exaggerating. It was like a dream come true. I was so happy I bought a 55£ tambourine.
-Meeting people
This is an important one. I've met so many new people.
And what's even better, I know that some of them will be my friends for a very long time.
So wow. I have to say thank you to everyone that's been with me this past year. I'm so lucky to have so many people around me who I can trust. A thousand thanks to all my bandmates, in my band and all the other bands that I play with. I've had such a good time! With so much work it's easy to get stressed out and overly tired, but somehow I've managed to keep my head together. I couldn't have done it without you. Thanks to Juha and everyone else who organized my gigs. That's what the song "My Thing" is about, you know... "Let someone else do the worrying"
And to my closest friends. I know I get carried away sometimes because everything that's happening is so new and exciting. Thanks for understanding and if I ever do lose it, please, get mad at me 'cos that's what a true friend would do ;)
Ok, I think I'm done. This post didn't turn out quite the way I planned, but I think it's kinda honest.
Check my website and videoblog for updates.
Have a great 2008!!!
Peace,
Tp
Edit: P.S. Ok, I have to add something... I forgot to mention Markus Holkko's "Being Here", another album featuring me on vocals on one track released last year. And of course I forgot to thank everyone who bought the album and came to see the gigs. You made it all worthwhile. Keep spreading the word, ok? And I also have to tell you that I've been writing new songs and we'll probably hit the studio sometime this spring. I'm really looking forward to that, hope you are too :)