Red-Hued Innocence and Extra-Terrestrial Disco From the Scandinavian Soloist
“No one behaved themselves,” says director Harley Weir of shooting the striking young stars of the video for “No End” by Finnish alt-pop sensation and part-time tram driver Jaakko Eino Kalevi. “We shot near to where my Mum is from in Scotland, and the boys and girls in the video are actually all brothers and sisters from a wonderful local family. The third youngest who is at the start of the film hated every minute of it! When he runs off at the end he’s genuinely leaving.” Photographer and filmmaker Weir, who has made films for Meadham Kirchhoff and Dazed & Confused, also shot the Lynchian cover photo of Kalevi for his debut worldwide release “Dreamzone,” a record of hazy abstract sounds that recalls Ariel Pink and Arthur Russell, of which today’s duet with fellow Helsinki-resident Suad Khalifa is a particular highlight. “People think it sounds a bit dubby too,” says Kalevi. “And I guess it is: I love Lee Scratch Perry, I always return to him.” Next up for him is an album that should drop some time next year, as well as the more immediate engagement of two intimate London shows. In the midst of this, Kalevi manages to indulge his passion for trams. “I still sometimes get to drive them,” says the musician. “But it's more like a hobby nowadays.”
Production and Camera Assistance by Alan Haig-Thomas. “Dreamzone” is out December 2 on Weird World.
