Have you ever wondered where the center of the universe is? Well, I can tell you. Apparently, it's in Jyväskylä, Finland. This small town in Northern Finland is also home to one of the most innovative and interesting artists I've heard in years, Keijo. In his 52 years, he has travelled the world and accomplished many things, but recently interest in his music has reached an all-time high with releases on the Lal Lal Lal and Pseudo Arcana imprints (and an upcoming CD-R on another great Finnish label, 267 Lattajjaa). His double-CD release on the latter is one of this year's finest recordings. If there is a king of Finland, Keijo must be it. This interview was conducted through email in May 2004 by Brad Rose. .. feature :: by Brad Rose

Kompleksi ("complex" in Finnish) are Mike Not and pHinn, two ex-suicide candidates from Tampere, Finland, who ride in a red Lada through the gloomy streets of their rainy post-industrial town; the home of ice hockey fanatics, world's last working Lenin Museum and countless sex shops. They started making music together in 2002. Kompleksi's music is black with splashes of day-glo. Since 1996, pHinn (vocals, keyboards) has maintained the sprawling pHinnweb website... feature :: by Jani Hellén

Kuupuu (aka Jonna Karanka) is an emerging cornerstone of the sprawling Finnish underground. The only thing more magical than her music is her personality. She's certainly left her mark on the world of psychedelic music in the past couple years with her work in Avarus, The Anaksimandros, Kukkiva Poliisi, and more recently, Hertta Lussu Ässä (with Lau Nau and Islaja). But Kuupuu is still the best example of what makes her music so great. In fact, Kuupuu's latest 7" on the always great Time-Lag is another essential document. Come walk through the forests with Kuupuu and her cats. .. feature :: by Eden Hemming Rose