I
Regina

About:

Regina was based in the living room of  Iisa Pykäri (vocals) and Mikko Pykäri (bass, guitar and programming) of their house in Tampere (Finland), a largely industrial town that is often called "the Manchester of Finland" due to the disproportionate number of rock bands it has produced. Mikko Rissanen joined the band on drums and they relocated to Helsinki. Their demo-recordings were picked up by the small ‘Next big thing’ label resulting in their debut album ‘Katso maisemaa’ in 2005. The blend of electronic beats, folk and world music and female vocals stroke a nerve in Finland where the album became a success gathering an Emma award on the way. Their follow up album ‘Oi miten suuria voimia!’ was released in the beginning of 2007, and was similarly a highly acclaimed success. In the end of 2007, Regina independently released a Christmas single ‘Näinä mustina iltoina’. In 2009 their third album ‘Puutarhatrilogia’ was a concept album – a loosely-structured allegory using the garden as a metaphor for the human mind. The album was recorded entirely in their home studio. In 2011 they return with a more pop-styled album with a cover by photo-artist Megan Kathleen McIsaac.

On the web:

- Regina's official website: www.reginaregina.com

What do we think:

DB: Not to be confused with the Bosnian rockband with the same name the Finnish trio dips into much hipper danceable waters. Musically this Regina stays close to the Scandinavian dancepop also ventured by early Nineties act Bel Canto. The mixture of ethnic musical traditions with electronic dance music may not be totally original but the catchy turn the trio gives to it is certainly refreshing. And the persistence to keep on singing in Suomi is a plus..

If you like this, you probably like.. / european counterparts:

Anima Sound System (Hungary)

Jurga (Lithuania)

Albums:

♪♪♪ - Katso maisemaa – 2005

- Oi miten suuria voimia! – 2007

♪♪♪♪ - Puutarhatrilogia - 2009

♪♪♪ - Soita mulle - 2011

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♪♪♪♪♪ = outstanding album, an absolute must-have
♪♪♪♪ = great album, highly recomended
♪♪♪ = nice album
♪♪ = be careful, requires listening before buying
♪ = best to be avoided