Viive

“Viive” is a collaborative project between keyboardist/vocalist Riikka Suutari and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Antti Niiranen. The idea for this jazz collaboration began in 2021 and has been evolving ever since.

The duo got to know each other 10 years ago while studying at the same high school in Ii, Northern Ostrobothnia. Through the years, their deep friendship has allowed them to freely explore rhythms and sounds without a predetermined goal, ultimately leading to a joint creation.

“We would describe ourselves as storytellers, using soundscapes to convey different narratives. Our music blends 21st-century jazz with influences from Neo-soul, contemporary jazz, and Finnish progressive weirdness.”

Duo’s debut album, Sen Jälkeen Kun, explores themes of growth and the intrinsic need for connection. It ultimately took shape as a soundtrack to a movie that doesn’t exist (yet).

The album was recorded at Mutka studios, the duo’s own creative space in Jyväskylä, Finland. Each track originated from open, improvised jams between the keys and drums by the warmth of the fireplace and was later refined to its final form.