Streets Ahead – The design capital’s sound world on CD

We wanted to collect the multiple sounds of the city on a single CD. Although the urban environment of Helsinki includes buildings that divide opinions, classic neighbourhoods, lush parks and the seashore surrounding all of this, it also includes noise, humming and music created by residents inspired by their surroundings.

Just like the World Design Capital, the music selected for this CD is international by nature: the songs were recorded simultaneously in Berlin and Helsinki, there is co-operation with a West African group and singing sections from local, American and Norwegian vocalists.

The music on the Streets Ahead collection was chosen with care by Antti Eerikäinen, a multitalented urban culture professional from Helsinki. The musicians represent the most interesting elements of Helsinki artistic life in recent years.

Thirteen different songs reveal a vibrant and intriguing music scene in which the high level of expertise and diversity of music produced can, considering the size of the city, be considered surprising even on a global scale

The opening track of the collection is a reinterpretation of the classic “Walkin' My Baby Back Home”. The Swedish version, entitled “Sakta vi gå genom stan”, has been voted the best song to describe Stockholm many times. The walk that Terhi Kokkonen and Tuomas Kallio take through Helsinki on a summer night is a declaration of love to all familiar streets, and is now being released for the first time.

At this time, the CD is only available via the player here on our website. Click here and listen.

This is the sound of World Design Capital Helsinki.