Juho Toivonen

What is music about? It can be about anything, I guess, but that’s not what we are talking about. That’s not why we are here. What makes the difference is if music, any music, is worth it. Then it’s something else. Like this piece, Juho Toivonen’s solo album. What I suggest as a simile to music on this vinyl, is the experience of sauna. Savusauna (smoke sauna) to be exact. The thing about savusauna is that because of the method of heating, the room gets really hot, and the smell of smoke is all over. Google it. But if you want to understand it, try it. When you enter the sauna, you need to surrender, in order to enjoy. A good savusauna is best when it is over 100 celsius. The heat is intense, but don’t let yourself feel affronted. Feel embraced. The heat is your vessel. You are transported, just by sitting down. Breathe in, feel the steam, it becomes you, breathe out. This is the way to approach the music on this vinyl. Leave your opinions behind, like you do with your clothes in sauna. You will have them back later, don’t worry. But while you listen, don’t take anything with you, just focus: on sounds, on your body, on your mind. They will be the same thing for the time being.

After being heated up, take your time to cool down. Dip in a lake, if you can. Feel the pulse in your body, like the rhythm of the music. Glance up, float silently. In due time, your body will calm down. By the time you are put to bed, the music will continue inside you. This is what music is about, when it is worth the while. - Taneli Viitahuhta. 19.6.2022, Helsinki