Thoreau Woods Unitarian Universalist Church

Please help welcome Finnish duo Vellamo to their fifth Huntsville appearance!  The Finnish folk duo Vellamo comprised of Pia Leinonen and Joni Tiala performs traditional and original songs in Finnish, English, and Swedish. Their music is reminiscent of 1960’s folk revival groups such as Richard and Mimi Farina; Peter, Paul, and Mary; and Pentangle – but with a Scandinavian twist! Their music is characterized by haunting melodies, Pia’s ethereal lead vocals and Joni’s virtuosic guitar stylings. The duo has been touring around Europe, in New Zealand and four times in the US. First album came out in early 2013, which was recorded in Vermont, US. In 2014 Vellamo released their second album, recorded with a full band. This folk-rock gem contains beautiful arrangements of traditional songs from the Finnish and Swedish traditions. Vellamo’s third album “Koskenkylä” (Whitewater Village) was released in November 2015. This modern Nordic folk album features all original material written both in English and Finnish.

Rupert Wates was born in London and studied at Oxford University. He has been a full time songwriter since the late 1990s, when he signed a publishing contract with Eaton Music Limited. His contract required him to write material in all kinds of styles and genres, for all kinds of artists. He worked extensively with Jazz vocalist Liz Fletcher, and wrote the album ‘Blue Afternoons‘ (Mainstem, 2002) specially for her voice. Moving in 2001 to Paris, Wates formed his own quartet and began playing live regularly. In fall 2006 he came to the US. He is now based in New York City and Colorado.  Since coming to the US, Wates has won more than 30 songwriting awards.  His music is an eclectic mix of acoustic, melodic art/folk, with flavors of jazz, vaudeville and cabaret. He has released seven solo CDs. They have been very well reviewed in the online press and tracks from them have been played on radio all over the world. Wates’ songs have been recorded by other artists in the UK, Canada and the US.  Rupert Wates averages 120 live shows every year, in acoustic venues in every state in America, in Canada and in Europe. He performs sometimes alone, sometimes with his trio or his quartet. Wates was voted an Artist Of The Year 2013 by the international house concert network Concerts In Your Home, and in 2015 he was recognized as their most booked performer, having secured well over 100 dates through their database.  Audiences everywhere respond to Wates’ brand of melodic art/folk—haunting songs that ring true. See more at www.rupertwatesmusic.com.