Hypnotic, minimalistic groove

Finnish electro-band K-X-P is currently on tour in the UK. Their music has been describes as ”hypnotic, minimalistic groove” with influences not only from electro, but also from rockabilly and krautrock.

K-X-P consists of Timo Kaukolampi (vocals and electronics), Tuomo Puranen (bass) and Tomi Leppänen (drums). Members of the band have previously received recognition playing in Finnish groups such as Larry and the Letfhanded, Jimi Tenor and Aavikko.

Embassy of Finland in London asked the frontman Timo Kaukolampi, what the band expects from the upcoming tour.

Kaukolampi answers his telephone in Belgium, the current spot of their European tour. He is seemingly excited about coming to the UK and playing in London on Wednesday 19.

”Last June we had a gig at The Social in London. Back then, K-X-P was a new band that only few knew about. This time, however, the audience might know a bit better what to expect.”

Kaukolampi is happy with the reviews they’ve got in the British music media: ”For example, Mojo gave our album a four-star review. British music blogs, such as Drowned in Sound and Pitchfork, have also reviewed as positively.”

He regards the UK as a particularly challenging place to tour, but is nonetheless positive about the band’s possibilities. ”There are so many bands in the UK trying to break so it’s very competitive. You have to be able to present something strongly individual”, he reckons.

”Our music is quite eccentric and even aggressive, but on the other hand it’s very solid too. I believe this mixture will appeal to British audiences.”

Kaukolampi warmly looks back at his own London gig experiences, as a member of the audience:

”I have seen so many bands in London that it’s hard to say which of the gigs is above all the others. Among others, I’ve seen Kraftwerk at Brixton Academy and the early LCD Soundsystem at Scala. However, the most magnificent event was perhaps Suicide playing at Electric Ballroom.”

K-X-P has been often compared to Suicide, the band that has strongly influenced the electronic music since the late 1970s.

The upcoming gigs will show to which direction K-X-P might lead electronic music on their part. 

For further information on K-X-P tour dates, see Embassy’s culture calendar: http://www.finemb.org.uk/public/default.aspx?nodeid=35871&contentlan=2&culture=en-GB

Listen to K-X-P:
http://www.myspace.com/kxpofficial(Link to another website.)

Text: Olli Turtiainen, Embassy of Finland in London

Photos: K-X-P