Ismo Alanko
Encyclopedia
Ismo Kullervo Alanko (ˈismo ˈɑlɑŋko) (born November 12, 1960 in Helsinki
) is a Finnish
musician
. He is known as the frontman of several bands, most famously Hassisen Kone
, Sielun Veljet
and Ismo Alanko Säätiö
, as well as a successful solo artist.
Alanko is known for his versatility and interest in different musical styles. During his career he has recorded punk rock
, alternative rock
, progressive rock
, electronic music
, schlager
, dance music
, children's music
and film score
s. He has achieved eight platinum records, 16 gold records and four Emma awards
. Also a recognized lyricist
, Alanko won the Juha Vainio
Writer's Award (Juha Vainio -sanoittajapalkinto) in 2003 for his song texts.
In a City magazine article in 1999, 43 Finnish journalists picked the top 99 Finnish rock artists. Ismo Alanko placed 20th, with his former bands Hassisen Kone and Sielun Veljet placing 12th and 4th, respectively.
Alanko comes from a musical family: his brother Petri Alanko is a reputed classical flute player
, and his other brother, Ilkka Alanko, is the singer/guitarist of Neljä Ruusua
.
, but grew up in Joensuu
, North Karelia
. As a 15-year-old he played in a band called Sight, already writing some of his own songs. In the Finnish Rock Championship, an annual competition for young musicians, the band finished second in the progressive rock
category. After completing his secondary education degree (ylioppilastutkinto), he took a break from music to move to work in Stockholm
.
group Hassisen Kone
. They won the Finnish rock championship in 1980 and recorded three very successful albums, Täältä tullaan Venäjä
, Rumat sävelet
and Harsoinen teräs
. All three remain among the highest sold records in Alanko's career. Hassisen Kone disbanded in 1982.
. Some of their early audience was expecting another Hassisen Kone, but instead the band played aggressive and repetitive post-punk
. Only one Sielun Veljet album came close to reaching Hassisen Kone's album sales (L'amourha
, 1985), but the band gained fame for their powerful, loud and intensive live performances. The band toured constantly and played a wide variety of musical styles, including old schlager
hits under the alias Kullervo Kivi & Gehenna. Sielun Veljet quit in 1991, after seven studio album
s, two EPs
, a box set and a 1991 documentary film
titled Veljet.
, was released in 1990. At this point Sielun Veljet still existed, but the band had become less and less active. After the band broke up, Alanko recorded the electronic music
-influenced Jäätyneitä lauluja
and toured Finland with his band that was named Tuonelan Lukio. The band's keyboardist
was Izmo Heikkilä of the band Raptori
. Alanko went on to release two more solo albums, Taiteilijaelämää
(1995) and Irti
(1996).
In 1997, a four-CD box set Alangolla - Ismo Alangon lauluja was released. It spanned his entire career starting from Hassisen Kone and including material from different side projects. Until then, very few Finnish artists had released a box set. Sielun Veljet had released Musta laatikko
in 1991 and CMX
their collection Cloaca Maxima
in 1997.
Alanko's most popular song, "Pop-musiikkia
", was recorded in 1997 with fellow rock stars Ilkka Alanko (of Neljä Ruusua
), Kalle Ahola (of Don Huonot
) and A. W. Yrjänä
(of CMX) under the name Neljä baritonia (Four Baritones). The single has been certified platinum
in Finland and is one of the most successful songs of all time on the Finnish singles chart.
In 2002, Alanko appeared on Timo Rautiainen
's platinum
-selling Tiernapojat play with Jarkko Martikainen
, Toni Wirtanen
and Rautiainen himself, playing King Herod
.
In 2009 Alanko continues his varied projects playing with contemporary Finnish artists. In April he joined former Alanko Säätiö percussionist Teho Majamäki onstage as Teholla at Helsinki's mini-festival Arctic Paradise Live, having the same evening performed a solo concert in the Ateneum Art Museum series (A Land Without Kantele) with resident houseband of Jarmo Saari (guitars), Arttu Tolonen (bass) and Abdissa ”Mamba” Assefa (drums).
(Ismo Alanko Foundation). Though Säätiö performed many of Alanko's old hits, the arrangements were radically revamped to fit with their unique acoustic sound, heavily featuring the avant-garde
accordion
sound of Kimmo Pohjonen
, a successful artist in his own right. Even though Säätiö is a band, it can be said that it is a backing band for solo performances by Alanko, as members of the band have changed rapidly.
Teho Majamäki as "Ismo Alanko Teholla". The name of the band is a play on words, and can mean either "Ismo Alanko with Teho" or "Ismo Alanko in ICU (Intensive Care Unit)".
cello
in his youth, but didn't pursue a classical career because he felt it would require too much practice. In Hassisen Kone and onwards, he has played rhythm guitar
in his bands in addition to singing. He still occasionally plays the cello, as well as the piano
, both in the studio and on live performances.
Alanko composed the music for the 2007 TV series Taivaan tulet by Kari Väänänen. Alanko also played all instruments for the score, except for flute parts that were played by his brother Petri. Alanko has said that the decision to play all the instruments himself came "out of curiosity".
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
) is a Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
. He is known as the frontman of several bands, most famously Hassisen Kone
Hassisen Kone
Hassisen Kone was a Finnish rock band, founded in 1979 in Joensuu. The young musicians rose to popularity in 1980 after winning the Finnish rock championship in the New Wave category. They recorded three highly successful albums before disbanding in 1982...
, Sielun Veljet
Sielun Veljet
Sielun Veljet was a Finnish rock band of the 1980s. They were formed soon after the disbanding of Hassisen Kone by its former frontman Ismo Alanko. Sielun Veljet never achieved the fame or the record sales figures of Hassisen Kone, but they became famous for their powerful stage presence and...
and Ismo Alanko Säätiö
Ismo Alanko Säätiö
Ismo Alanko Säätiö was a Finnish rock group led by Ismo Alanko. The band featured an ever-changing lineup of musicians and can be considered an extension of Alanko's solo career. The band's name is Finnish for "Ismo Alanko Foundation"....
, as well as a successful solo artist.
Alanko is known for his versatility and interest in different musical styles. During his career he has recorded punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
, progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
, electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
, schlager
Schlager
Schlager music is a style of popular music prevalent in Central and Northern Europe and the Balkans and also in France and Poland. In Portugal, it was adapted and became pimba music...
, dance music
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
, children's music
Children's music
Children's music is used here to refer to music composed and performed for children by adults. In European influenced contexts this means music, usually songs, written specifically for a juvenile audience. The composers are usually adults. Children's music has historically held both entertainment...
and film score
Film score
A film score is original music written specifically to accompany a film, forming part of the film's soundtrack, which also usually includes dialogue and sound effects...
s. He has achieved eight platinum records, 16 gold records and four Emma awards
Emma-gaala
The Emma-gaala is a Finnish music gala arranged yearly by Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland, awarding the most distinguished artists and music professionals of the year. It has been arranged since 1983, except for the years 1988–1990....
. Also a recognized lyricist
Lyricist
A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
, Alanko won the Juha Vainio
Juha Vainio
Juha Harri "Junnu" Vainio, also known as Juha "Watt" Vainio was a Finnish lyricist, singer, composer and teacher. With the lyrics or music to over 2,400 songs to his name, Vainio is as one of Finland's most prolific lyricists along with Reino Helismaa and Vexi Salmi...
Writer's Award (Juha Vainio -sanoittajapalkinto) in 2003 for his song texts.
In a City magazine article in 1999, 43 Finnish journalists picked the top 99 Finnish rock artists. Ismo Alanko placed 20th, with his former bands Hassisen Kone and Sielun Veljet placing 12th and 4th, respectively.
Alanko comes from a musical family: his brother Petri Alanko is a reputed classical flute player
Flautist
A flautist or flutist is a musician who plays an instrument in the flute family. See List of flautists.The choice of "flautist" versus "flutist" is the source of dispute among players of the instrument...
, and his other brother, Ilkka Alanko, is the singer/guitarist of Neljä Ruusua
Neljä Ruusua
Neljä Ruusua is a Finnish rock group formed in the city of Joensuu in 1982. The group consists of guitarist-singer Ilkka Alanko, guitarist Petteri Koistinen, bass guitarist Jari Laakkonen and drummer Kari Kämäräinen. Their style of music was influenced by punk in their earlier years, but changed...
.
Background
Ismo Alanko was born on November 12, 1960 in HelsinkiHelsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
, but grew up in Joensuu
Joensuu
Joensuu is a city and municipality in North Karelia in eastern Finland. It is located in the province of Eastern Finland and is part of North Karelia region. It was founded in 1848...
, North Karelia
North Karelia
North Karelia is a region in eastern Finland. It borders to the regions of Kainuu, Northern Savonia, Southern Savonia, South Karelia and to Russia.The city of Joensuu is the centre of the North Karelia region.- Municipalities :...
. As a 15-year-old he played in a band called Sight, already writing some of his own songs. In the Finnish Rock Championship, an annual competition for young musicians, the band finished second in the progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
category. After completing his secondary education degree (ylioppilastutkinto), he took a break from music to move to work in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
.
Hassisen Kone
After returning to Finland in 1979, Alanko, then 19 years of age, gained immediate success as the singer, songwriter and rhythm guitarist of the New WaveNew Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
group Hassisen Kone
Hassisen Kone
Hassisen Kone was a Finnish rock band, founded in 1979 in Joensuu. The young musicians rose to popularity in 1980 after winning the Finnish rock championship in the New Wave category. They recorded three highly successful albums before disbanding in 1982...
. They won the Finnish rock championship in 1980 and recorded three very successful albums, Täältä tullaan Venäjä
Täältä tullaan Venäjä
Täältä tullaan Venäjä is the debut album of Hassisen Kone. It was released in 1980, shortly after the newly formed band had won the Finnish Rock championship. The outspoken lyrics of the opening track "Rappiolla" shocked, among others, Yleisradio reporters Anneli Tempakka and Maija Dahlgren, who...
, Rumat sävelet
Rumat sävelet
Rumat sävelet is the second album of Finnish punk rock band Hassisen Kone. It was a successful follow-up to the group's debut Täältä tullaan Venäjä, and was certified platinum in 2005....
and Harsoinen teräs
Harsoinen teräs
Harsoinen teräs is the third and final album of Hassisen Kone, released in 1982. Musically, the album has a progressive twist to it. The songs are more complicated than on the group's two previous albums, and the band's lineup was expanded to seven people for this album, featuring a new guitarist...
. All three remain among the highest sold records in Alanko's career. Hassisen Kone disbanded in 1982.
Sielun Veljet
Soon after Hassisen Kone broke up, Alanko and former Hassisen Kone guitarist Jukka Orma started Sielun VeljetSielun Veljet
Sielun Veljet was a Finnish rock band of the 1980s. They were formed soon after the disbanding of Hassisen Kone by its former frontman Ismo Alanko. Sielun Veljet never achieved the fame or the record sales figures of Hassisen Kone, but they became famous for their powerful stage presence and...
. Some of their early audience was expecting another Hassisen Kone, but instead the band played aggressive and repetitive post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
. Only one Sielun Veljet album came close to reaching Hassisen Kone's album sales (L'amourha
L'amourha
L'amourha is the third album of Sielun Veljet. It was their breakthrough album, gaining much of its success from the hit single "Peltirumpu". It is the only Sielun Veljet album to come close to the sales figures of Ismo Alanko's previous group, Hassisen Kone, and remains one of Alanko's most...
, 1985), but the band gained fame for their powerful, loud and intensive live performances. The band toured constantly and played a wide variety of musical styles, including old schlager
Schlager
Schlager music is a style of popular music prevalent in Central and Northern Europe and the Balkans and also in France and Poland. In Portugal, it was adapted and became pimba music...
hits under the alias Kullervo Kivi & Gehenna. Sielun Veljet quit in 1991, after seven studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
s, two EPs
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, a box set and a 1991 documentary film
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
titled Veljet.
Solo career
Alanko's solo debut, Kun Suomi putos puustaKun Suomi putos puusta
Kun Suomi putos puusta, also known as Kun Suomi putos puusta: ääniä vapaan pudotuksen aikakaudelta, is the first solo album of Ismo Alanko, released in 1990 when Alanko was still a member of Sielun Veljet...
, was released in 1990. At this point Sielun Veljet still existed, but the band had become less and less active. After the band broke up, Alanko recorded the electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
-influenced Jäätyneitä lauluja
Jäätyneitä lauluja
Jäätyneitä lauluja is the second solo album by Ismo Alanko, released in 1993. The album has electronic music influence, making heavy use of drum loops and modern studio technology....
and toured Finland with his band that was named Tuonelan Lukio. The band's keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
was Izmo Heikkilä of the band Raptori
Raptori
Raptori is a rap group, formed 1989 in Hyvinkää, Finland. They were pioneers of Finnish rap music.Raptori were both aggressive and humoristic at once, and often used counter-intuitive rhymes. During the last years of 1990s dozens of new Finnish rap groups appeared but Raptori was among the first...
. Alanko went on to release two more solo albums, Taiteilijaelämää
Taiteilijaelämää
Taiteilijaelämää is the third solo album of Ismo Alanko, released in 1995. Alanko later used the same title for his 2006 DVD Taiteilijaelämää vuosilta 1989-2006.- Track listing :Music and lyrics by Ismo Alanko....
(1995) and Irti
Irti
Irti is the fourth solo album of Ismo Alanko, released in 1996. According to Alanko, he and his band gave themselves two weeks time to compose and record the album from scratch...
(1996).
In 1997, a four-CD box set Alangolla - Ismo Alangon lauluja was released. It spanned his entire career starting from Hassisen Kone and including material from different side projects. Until then, very few Finnish artists had released a box set. Sielun Veljet had released Musta laatikko
Musta laatikko
Musta laatikko is a box set by Sielun Veljet, released in 1991. The first one of its three CDs contains material that was supposed to become a studio album before the band broke up...
in 1991 and CMX
CMX (band)
CMX, originally Cloaca Maxima, are a Finnish rock band. They originally played hardcore punk, but soon expanded to play a wide variety of rock formats, including progressive rock, heavy metal, and mainstream rock n roll. Throughout their career, they have been influenced by progressive rock bands...
their collection Cloaca Maxima
Cloaca Maxima (album)
Cloaca Maxima is the first compilation album by the Finnish rock group CMX. The name Cloaca Maxima means "Great Sewer" in Latin, and was also an early name of the band before it was shortened to CMX. The compilation contains three CDs named Physis, Aetheris and Astralis respectively...
in 1997.
Alanko's most popular song, "Pop-musiikkia
Pop-musiikkia
"Pop-musiikkia" is a single released in November 1997 by Neljä baritonia , a band consisting of Ismo Alanko, Kalle Ahola , Ilkka Alanko and A. W. Yrjänä . It is the only song the band recorded, and has been certified platinum in Finland...
", was recorded in 1997 with fellow rock stars Ilkka Alanko (of Neljä Ruusua
Neljä Ruusua
Neljä Ruusua is a Finnish rock group formed in the city of Joensuu in 1982. The group consists of guitarist-singer Ilkka Alanko, guitarist Petteri Koistinen, bass guitarist Jari Laakkonen and drummer Kari Kämäräinen. Their style of music was influenced by punk in their earlier years, but changed...
), Kalle Ahola (of Don Huonot
Don Huonot
Don Huonot was one of the most popular Finnish rock bands in Finland in the 1990s. They had many radio hits and their live sessions were known as being very emotional and energetic experiences.After 10 years and 7 albums, the band broke up...
) and A. W. Yrjänä
A. W. Yrjänä
Aki Ville Yrjänä , better known by the stage name, A. W. Yrjänä , is a poet and the singer, bassist, and primary songwriter of the Finnish rock band CMX. In addition to his musical work he has published four collections of poems.- Music :Yrjänä has studied theology and comparative religion,...
(of CMX) under the name Neljä baritonia (Four Baritones). The single has been certified platinum
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
in Finland and is one of the most successful songs of all time on the Finnish singles chart.
In 2002, Alanko appeared on Timo Rautiainen
Timo Rautiainen
Timo Aulis Rautiainen is a Finnish heavy metal singer, guitarist and songwriter. He is best known as the singer and songwriter of Timo Rautiainen & Trio Niskalaukaus. He has also sung in the bands Lyijykomppania and Aku Ankkuli.His occupation is a teacher, which is quite uncommon for heavy metal...
's platinum
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
-selling Tiernapojat play with Jarkko Martikainen
Jarkko Martikainen
Jarkko Martikainen is a Finnish singer, songwriter and member of the rock band YUP. In addition to his musical career, Martikainen has worked as a columnist, a record producer and a documentary filmmaker...
, Toni Wirtanen
Toni Wirtanen
Toni Juhana Wirtanen is a Finnish musician, best known as the vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for the rock band Apulanta....
and Rautiainen himself, playing King Herod
Herod the Great
Herod , also known as Herod the Great , was a Roman client king of Judea. His epithet of "the Great" is widely disputed as he is described as "a madman who murdered his own family and a great many rabbis." He is also known for his colossal building projects in Jerusalem and elsewhere, including his...
.
In 2009 Alanko continues his varied projects playing with contemporary Finnish artists. In April he joined former Alanko Säätiö percussionist Teho Majamäki onstage as Teholla at Helsinki's mini-festival Arctic Paradise Live, having the same evening performed a solo concert in the Ateneum Art Museum series (A Land Without Kantele) with resident houseband of Jarmo Saari (guitars), Arttu Tolonen (bass) and Abdissa ”Mamba” Assefa (drums).
Ismo Alanko Säätiö
In 1998 Alanko started the semi-ironically named Ismo Alanko SäätiöIsmo Alanko Säätiö
Ismo Alanko Säätiö was a Finnish rock group led by Ismo Alanko. The band featured an ever-changing lineup of musicians and can be considered an extension of Alanko's solo career. The band's name is Finnish for "Ismo Alanko Foundation"....
(Ismo Alanko Foundation). Though Säätiö performed many of Alanko's old hits, the arrangements were radically revamped to fit with their unique acoustic sound, heavily featuring the avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
accordion
Accordion
The accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
sound of Kimmo Pohjonen
Kimmo Pohjonen
Kimmo Pohjonen is a Finnish accordionist who is involved in a number of projects.- Uniko :Kluster meets Kronos Quartet in the Uniko project featuring music composed by Pohjonen and Samuli Kosminen, commissioned by Kronos. Concerts in Helsinki, Moscow and Molde Jazz Festival were major successes...
, a successful artist in his own right. Even though Säätiö is a band, it can be said that it is a backing band for solo performances by Alanko, as members of the band have changed rapidly.
Ismo Alanko Teholla
In 2007 Alanko ended Säätiö in its current form, and began touring with multi-instrumentalistMulti-instrumentalist
A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments.The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument to be learned , but people who double on another instrument are not usually seen as multi-instrumentalists.-Classical music:Music written for Symphony...
Teho Majamäki as "Ismo Alanko Teholla". The name of the band is a play on words, and can mean either "Ismo Alanko with Teho" or "Ismo Alanko in ICU (Intensive Care Unit)".
Instruments
Alanko studied classicalClassical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
in his youth, but didn't pursue a classical career because he felt it would require too much practice. In Hassisen Kone and onwards, he has played rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
in his bands in addition to singing. He still occasionally plays the cello, as well as the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, both in the studio and on live performances.
Alanko composed the music for the 2007 TV series Taivaan tulet by Kari Väänänen. Alanko also played all instruments for the score, except for flute parts that were played by his brother Petri. Alanko has said that the decision to play all the instruments himself came "out of curiosity".
Discography
Studio albums
| Released | Title | Performer | Chart Peak | Certification | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Kun Suomi putos puusta Kun Suomi putos puusta Kun Suomi putos puusta, also known as Kun Suomi putos puusta: ääniä vapaan pudotuksen aikakaudelta, is the first solo album of Ismo Alanko, released in 1990 when Alanko was still a member of Sielun Veljet... |
Ismo Alanko | - | Gold (1999) | Seal On Velvet |
| 1993 | Jäätyneitä lauluja Jäätyneitä lauluja Jäätyneitä lauluja is the second solo album by Ismo Alanko, released in 1993. The album has electronic music influence, making heavy use of drum loops and modern studio technology.... |
Ismo Alanko | - | Gold (2002) | Seal On Velvet |
| 1995 | Taiteilijaelämää Taiteilijaelämää Taiteilijaelämää is the third solo album of Ismo Alanko, released in 1995. Alanko later used the same title for his 2006 DVD Taiteilijaelämää vuosilta 1989-2006.- Track listing :Music and lyrics by Ismo Alanko.... |
Ismo Alanko | - | Gold (1998) | Poko |
| 1996 | Irti Irti Irti is the fourth solo album of Ismo Alanko, released in 1996. According to Alanko, he and his band gave themselves two weeks time to compose and record the album from scratch... |
Ismo Alanko | 3 | - | Poko |
| 2008 | Blanco Spirituals | Ismo Alanko Teholla | 1 | - | Fullsteam |
Compilations
| Released | Title | Performer | Chart Peak | Certification | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Alangolla - Ismo Alangon lauluja | Ismo Alanko | 7 | - | Poko |
| 2001 | Hitit 1989-2001 | Ismo Alanko | 11 | Platinum (2004) | Poko |
DVDs
| Released | Title | Performer | Certification | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Taiteilijaelämää vuosilta 1989-2006 | Ismo Alanko | Gold (2007) | Poko |
Singles
| Released | Title | Performer | Chart Peak | Certification | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | "Extaasiin" | Ismo Alanko | - | - | Poko |
| 1993 | "Kuolemalla on monet kasvot" | Ismo Alanko | - | - | Poko |
| 1995 | "Taiteilijaelämää" | Ismo Alanko | - | - | Poko |
| 1995 | "Kun rakkaus on rikki" | Ismo Alanko | - | - | Poko |
| 1996 | "Kriisistä kriisiin" | Ismo Alanko | 18 | - | Poko |
| 1997 | "Pop-musiikkia Pop-musiikkia "Pop-musiikkia" is a single released in November 1997 by Neljä baritonia , a band consisting of Ismo Alanko, Kalle Ahola , Ilkka Alanko and A. W. Yrjänä . It is the only song the band recorded, and has been certified platinum in Finland... " |
Neljä baritonia | 1 | Platinum (1998) | Poko |
| 2007 | "Päästänkö irti" | Ismo Alanko Teholla | 1 | - | Fullsteam |