Tuomo & Markus

 Tuomo & Markus is a new band fronted by acclaimed Finnish jazz/soul artist Tuomo Prättälä and singer/songwriter Markus Nordenstreng of The Latebirds. The two gentlemen gathered spontaneously at Wavelab Studio in Tucson AZ to record new music with their friends who included Wilco’s John Stirratt and Pat Sansone, Calexico-members John Convertino, Joey Burns and Jakob Valenzuela as well as Gary Louris from The Jayhawks who also contributed one song. The resulted debut album 'Dead Circles’ was released in North America in September 2018, gaining favorable reviews from the likes of Rolling Stone and KEXP. Following their album release Tuomo & Markus released 'America Get Together’ EP in October 2018, featuring politically charged covers of Prince, Bob Dylan and The Youngbloods.  While their craftsmanship and timeless songwriting are rooted in the great American songbook and some of the harmonies may be reminiscent of Simon & Garfunkel, Tuomo & Markus have unique voices of their own. Their fearless arrangements combine cosmic Americana with cinematic soundscapes ranging from Nordic jazz to rootsy folk, soul and even prog rock. The group’s six-piece live lineup includes Finnish jazz trumpet sensation Verneri Pohjola. With Pohjola onboard the band’s psychedelic influences have become all the more evident. ”Tuomo & Markus have made a marvelous debut album – steeped in the pioneer stories of the Band, the painted-desert psychedelia of the American Beauty-era Grateful Dead and the modernist extensions of Wilco and the Tucson band Calexico.” -David Fricke, Rolling Stone.  "Tuomo & Markus’ debut LP, Dead Circles, is a rich tapestry of acoustic orchestration, often subdued but never enervating or insignificant. Over the delightful melodies, the duo’s harmonies drift airily, easily recalling CSNY and Simon & Garfunkel with reverence." -Jim Beckmann, KEXP.

• http://tuomomarkus.com/