Weekly Mix #7: Katti Meu
Summer's first playlist is created by artist Katti Meu, who is not only a musician, but also a phenomenon backed by a large group of design people.
Summer’s first playlist is created by artist Katti Meu, who is not only a musician, but also a phenomenon backed by a large group of design people.
Artist Katti Meu is a bold new-generation music-maker. In addition, she’s a phenomenon backed by a large group of people in the design field. They have endowed their skills and creativity on a project that doesn’t look like it’s ending soon.
Katti Meu’s music is an absurd, visual combination of acoustic instruments, new electronic music, and fresh yet classical Finnish storytelling, where a new and unknown sound world meets the pop tradition. Meu’s work happily mixes genres, identities, status, and familiar patterns.
Journalist Mimmi Pentikäinen interviewed this mysterious artist who created a Weekly Mix playlist for us.
Who or what is Katti Meu?
I am still developing the concept, but I think I’ve made this journey once in a previous universe.
Katti Meu is an alter ego, artist, and a project. I am Katja-Maria Taavitsainen, coreographer, dance artist and musician from Kajaani. I write my own lyrics and compose my music together with my brother Aapeli Hakala.
Katti Meu is also a cooperation and a praise to the community behind the phenomenon. It is family, a dream, and a revolution. All in one package.
I am supported by an amazing bunch of professionals: graphic designers, photographers, stylists, and directors. For some strange reason they have given their time and skills for this project, asking nothing in return. They believe that together we are creating something very essential.
Common to these people are their love of good music and esthetics and understanding that following your heart is always a risk. It is an amazing gift to be able to work with a team like this.
What visuality and esthetics mean to you regarding the world of music?
As my artistic expression is very much based in the tradition of dance, visuality also plays a major role in the music I make. I think of Katti Meu as a comprehensive work of art where each part including visuality has a place. I like to analyse different types of esthetics and challenge the relation between esthetics and content in everything I work with.
When I publish a single, I also publish a video related to the theme or a commentary and a photo collage made with always a new photographer. They are all important parts of the published work. I don’t only contain song or movement, but everything in me is connected.
What is your first memory related to music?
I attended a musical playschool when I was about three years old, and I was the last one to choose an instrument. The only instrument left in the box was an egg-shaped maraca. I burst into tears. I wanted a triangle, or a big witch drum.
What kind of music do you listen to?
All kinds, depending on my mood and where my feet are taking me. Recently, I’ve scrubbed through Finnish rap masters like Eevil Stöö, old Ceebrolistics, Ruger Hauer and Khid.
Together with my nearest and dearest we sing Kumbia Queers or Kaija Koo.
What does music mean to you?
Pretty much everything.
This may sound like a cliché, but everything I do is related to music. During the hardest moments of my life, music has been the only thing that has helped me get up from bed. After I heard the heartbeat in my belly, everything has been rhythm and music. When dancing, the movement and the body are music, too. I notice that everything starts with it and ends in it.
What piece of music is the most important for you?
Ouch, that is tough one. But since my mother is the most important, my answer is Katri Helena’s Almaz – Onnen lapsi. Mother dedicated this song to me when I was born. Since then we’ve cried our eyes off whenever this song is played on the radio. It is at the same time purgative for us and awkward to everyone else present.
What is the next mind-blower by Katti Meu?
I’m soon to travel to Berlin for a longer time. It has to do with my dance projects.
My third single will be published on the third week of June. That should be a mind-blowing jackpot. I’m also looking forward to amazing cooperative work coming up in the summer. I am dying to tell, but I need to keep it a secret for a while.
I’d like to work on as various cooperative projects as possible, taking risks in making art, challenging my inner clockwork, and breaking as many boundaries and boxes as possible.
What kind of playlist we will hear now and why?
These are the rythms for my last few weeks. It’s quite random, but I think in a good way.