You may be familiar with the concept of bands performing acoustic versions of their songs, but imagine taking that idea and placing it in the most unexpected and intriguing locations imaginable. That’s precisely the magic behind Off The Record, an independent live music and short film video blog launched in January 2011.
Far from your typical concert venue, Off The Record transforms unique spaces into intimate stages, capturing raw, one-take performances with three cameras and a portable audio studio. This Finnish initiative is a passion project, meaning new sessions appear sporadically, but the quality and creativity are consistently high.
What makes Off The Record so captivating is its commitment to the unusual. Bands have graced everything from a bowling alley and a sailing boat to a gym, a market place cafeteria, and even a fan’s apartment. The only rule is that the location must be unconventional for a live performance. And who gets invited to play? Only bands and artists that the Off The Record team genuinely admires, regardless of genre – be it indie rock, acoustic folk, experimental hip hop, or even black metal.
The innovative approach of Off The Record quickly gained recognition. Some of their videos have even gone viral, reaching a wide audience far beyond Finland’s borders. For instance, the Cult of Luna acoustic performance of “Passing Through,” filmed during a Helsinki blizzard, garnered significant attention and was noted for potentially outdoing the band’s official music video in impressiveness and beauty. This success was further cemented when Off The Record was nominated as Music Media of the Year at the prestigious Music & Media Gala, a testament to its impact and unique contribution to the music landscape.
While every session offers a fresh perspective, some stand out for their innovative pairings of music and environment. For instance, Magenta Skycode, a Finnish indie rock favorite, kicked off the blog’s journey by playing inside an old cable car in a tram museum, setting the bar high for future unconventional performances. The archives also feature a diverse array of renowned artists, including indie pop darlings Architecture in Helsinki, French cover band Nouvelle Vague, folk-punk troubadour Frank Turner, acclaimed rock bands The War On Drugs, Sahara Hotnights and the Tuareg desert blues band Tinariwen. This impressive roster showcases how Off The Record consistently delivers truly “off the record” musical experiences.
All members of Off The Record have been working for years in Finnish music scene. Our previous works include several award winning music videos, DVD’s, tv-commercials, photo shoots and artist promotion campaigns.
Off The Record Crew
- Director: Otso Tiainen
- Producer and PR: Johannes Kinnunen
- Cinematographer: Marek Sabogal
- Edit: Ykä Järvinen
- Audio: Jukka Uitto / Auruaudio
- Sound and vision: Jerry Ylkänen
- Art Direction & Design: Tony Sjöman
- Web: Mikko Kekki / Kalamuki
- Adviser: Tomi Riionheimo / Indie Films
Artists performed in our sessions:
Aino Venna, Alcoholic Faith Mission, Andy Cairns, Anneke van Giersbergen, Antero Lindgren, Architecture in Helsinki, Arto Tuunela, Austin Lucas, Black Lizard, Black Twig, Bon Jouni, Carpark North, Cult of Luna, Danny Cavanagh, Dead Elvis & His One Man Grave, Death Hawks, Disco Ensemble, Ed Harcourt, Flogging Molly, Frank Turner, French Films, Gangzi, Harmaja, Heikki Helastinen, Hero Dishonest, Jarkko Martikainen, Jonna Tervomaa, Joose Keskitalo, Josh T. Pearson, Karnivool, Kiljuvelka 70, Lissie, Mad Juana, Magenta Skycode, Minä ja Ville Ahonen, Mirel Wagner, Moneybrother, Niclas Frisk’s Chinatown, Nouvelle Vague, Olavi Uusivirta, Paleface, Pariisin kevät, Plain Ride, Radiopuhelimet, Regina, Rubik, Ruger Hauer, Sahara Hotnights, Samae Koskinen, Samling, Samuli Putro, Satellite Stories, Scott Kelly (Neurosis), SOEN, The Capital Beat, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Therapy?, The Sounds, The Soundtrack Of Our Lives, The War On Drugs, Tinariwen, Truckfighters, Tuomo Prättälä, Uusi Fantasia feat. Freeman, Von Hertzen Brothers, White Shoes & The Couples Company, Wild Nothing
