Lukas Kristo

Artist Portfolio

Ethnofuturism, Ritual and Experimentations

In recent years I have been experimenting with new instrumentations, in particular developing my Electro-Harmonium. With it I’m able to create vast sonic worlds rooted in acoustic sounds. I have been focusing on using ethnofuturist theory to bring ancient Finnic music to modern audiences and experimenting with ritualistic techniques to create holistic performances.


In 2022 I graduated as Master of Music from Helsinki University of the Arts Sibelius Academy. In my Master’s concert I performed a holistic concept called “Konehenki” (Eng: Machine Spirit). The space was dimply lit with a flickering light in the middle and the entrance veiled to create a tunnel. The 60 minutes of seamless music created a trance-inducing journey through the use of repetitive rhythms and melodies, varying tempi and quality of sounds.

(2022)

I delve deep into long form minimalist improvisations and ambient soundscpapes with my solo-harmonium project Lukas Kristo: Harmonistics.

(2016)
(2018)

Projects/Collaborations and Discography

haapoja & illmari kollektiivi:

Siba Folk Big Band:

Minttu Hellstén: Kuumailmapallo (single) (2023)

Lapua-Uusi-Guinea: Taklax 1017 “Afro” (Lukas Kristo Remix) (2024)

Paradise Oskar (Axel Ehnström)
Soinua (Mari Sainio & Marja Vehkanen)
Vilma Jää
Hugh Sheehan
Olli Sippola Experiment
Fanni Laurella ja Uhrilehto

Awards

Music x Dance

Trained in folk music, I have performed on stage with dance troupes such as Tahdittomat and have composed commissioned music for dance performances.

(2020)

Art for a cause

I believes art can be a tool for dealing with and fighting the ecological crisis and other challenges of our times. This not only shows in my work but I also support demonstrations as an activist musician.

Here other activists and I (playing a blue guitar) in an Extinction Rebellion demonstration in 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUguI_NbuzA&t=1341s

Field recordings and stylistic explorations

In finding ways to create altered states through music and to keep Finnic traditions alive, I’m inspired by music and musical practices from all over the world (while keeping in mind one’s privileges). I believe in being informed of other traditions to be able to know one’s own better. In 2015 I conducted field recordings of traditional songs of the Maijuna people and Ikaro music of curanderos in Peru.

During my exchange year at Tokyo College of Music I not only performed on Jouhikko (Finnish bowed lyre) but also composed the world’s first piece for Jouhikko and Gamelan orchestra. The composition “Taian tantsihin ruveta” combines a melody in the style of archaic Finnish-Karelian Jouhikko and Runosong music (plus traditional lyrics) with Javanese Gamelan instruments and composition techniques.

(2017)