TOMI SALESVUO EAST FUNK ATTACK
Funk with full power!
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Helsinki based funk band East Funk Attack was founded in 2013. The band, often called “thickly dynamic invasion of funk”, has released two studio albums and one studio live EP. The powerhouse of a group is now releasing new music and music videos from the upcoming third studio album. First two singles “I Feel Surreal” and “Why Don´t You Do It?” saw the daylight in 2019 and more new music is coming out in 2020. The East Funk Attack band is a sextet led by a drummer and composer Tomi Salesvuo and features the charming singer Taru Ratilainen. Salesvuo leads an amazing line-up of Finnish musicians, brought in from the front line of making sure the funk keeps on thumping!
“During the years, I’ve had an a vision in mind about a group, functioning as a melting pot for my idea of playing rhythmic music. I’m presenting my vision of the combinations of the relentless joy of playing music and catchy melodies. Essentially, we’re packaging the hypnotic rhythm of music with jazz improvisation, telling our life stories of growth as humans. I have the feeling that this surreal vision is now reality and the potential for our growth as a group feels limitless. I can´t wait to share
the new music with our listeners!” says Salesvuo, in an inspired mood.
"Tomi has a sense of melody and groove that is not heard everyday and he manages to combine catchy vocal lines with funky hornlines and his own smoking rythm-keeping, making this album a very fine example of music- not just made in Finland but made for the whole world to hear." - Nils Landgren
Tomi Salesvuo is a drummer, bandleader, producer and educator based in Helsinki, Finland. Born and raised Lappeenranta Finland, Salesvuo has been an avid student of the drums since his early childhood. After graduating from the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Salesvuo’s performances with Wayne Krantz, Jim Beard, Benny Golson, Peter Weniger, Nils Landgren and Inaki Sandoval have played an important role in Tomi’s career. Tomi has performed and/or recorded with top Finnish artists like XL, Pekka Pohjola, Severi Pyysalo, Jukka Perko, Jukka Eskola, Pekka Kuusisto, Osmo Ikonen. Tomi Salesvuo teaches at the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences as an associate professor. In addition to performing internationally, Salesvuo has taught drum set master classes in many European countries, as well as in the USA and Canada
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Facebook @eastfunkattack
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Instagram @eastfunkattack
Tomi Salesvuo East Funk Attack is:
Taru Ratilainen, vocals
Ukko Heinonen, saxophone and flute
Ilmari Aitoaho, keyboards
Matias Kiiveri, guitar
Heikki Laine, bass
Tomi Salesvuo, drums
Here´s few words behind the story:
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"The song and music video aim to take on the big problem of exclusion of young adult men in Finland. The story of “Help Me” song describes a situation where a young man who has succeeded in his life finds himself left out of his circle of friends and struggles with his mental health. The song celebrates memories and experiences of harmony and shared joy. The man’s longing for belonging, however, doesn’t seem to be strong enough for him to make a change in his life. What he needs is someone to help him. Help Me music video is made by Joel Korhonen. Special thank you to Axel Tuliara, Tomi Puhakka and Jere Lähde.
Let's all take good care of our friends <3"
