FORMER ROCK GUITARIST PETRI HAKALA is one of the many born-again folk musicians. With skills in several instruments, he has chosen the mandolin as his main interest. Along the way, he has played bluegrass and Irish music in the group Korkkijalka.

At the early stages of his folk music awakening, Hakala formed the ensemble Ottopasuuna together with violinist Kari Reiman and accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen. The group's first album was among the very first Finnish folk music albums ever released in America.

The Helsinki Mandoliners offer a forum where Hakala can hone his mandolin skills. In addition to teaching the mandolin at the Sibelius Academy Folk Music Department, he plays with Maria Kalaniemi's group Aldargaz. Hakala's new Finnish-American group Freshet features violinist Ruthie Dornfeld, guitarist John Miller and bassist Tapani Varis, and released its debut album in autumn 2004.

© Harri Römpötti 2004
Translated by Hanna-Mari Latham

Selected Discography: Petri Hakala Discography

CoMando Guest of the Week: Petri Hakala Interview