EKZ Records: A Sonic Vision Two Decades in the Making
Jaakko Kakko grew up in the cultural whirlwind of Pori, where punk rock squats, jazz festivals, and creative hangouts like “Annis” sparked his lifelong obsession with music.
Annis wasn’t just a venue—it was a wild mix of rehearsal rooms, DIY stages, and a meeting spot for anyone with a passion for art. His early drumming days were fueled by Circle’s mind-bending time signatures, pulling him into the world of prog and shaping his experimental streak. EKZ Records, a dream two decades in the making, finally happened when a Finnish music course and a jaw-dropping artist, Px3Kauppila, lit the fuse.
Kakko’s label thrives on variety, jumping from hip-hop to folk and Italian prog, but he only puts out music that genuinely hits him hard. One of his proudest moments has been reviving the Giant Hogweed Orchestra’s self-titled album, taking it from teenage YouTube obscurity to vinyl glory. With a background in storytelling and rhythm from years in Finnish TV, Kakko brings a fresh perspective to every project. EKZ Records moves at its own pace, with Kakko determined to keep the quality high and the vibe authentic.
“It has to resonate with me on some level”
Can you share some of your earliest musical memories growing up in Pori? Did the local scene influence you? Was there a certain hangout place where like-minded people gathered?
Jaakko Kakko: There is this really cool place called Annis in Pori. It was originally a place that punk rockers squatted in the early ’80s. It has since become a city-funded space for all things cultural. It’s a paradise for art and a meeting place that hosts theater groups rehearsing and performing, as well as music rehearsal rooms. It also has three different stages where basically anyone can organize band nights with different groups from all over Finland performing. We hung out there all the time in my youth, playing music with different bands and just having fun!
The Pori Jazz Festival is a huge thing in my old hometown. International bands and artists play at the festival, and I’ve been going there as far back as I can remember, since I was a little kid. The city always came alive for the two weeks in July when the festival happened. There was live music everywhere—coffee shops, bars, the streets, and the festival area. Seeing that from early childhood had a huge impact on me. I always wanted to play instruments.
You mentioned learning drumming from the band Circle, which is known for its complex time signatures. How did that early exposure to this kind of music shape your identity?
A lot! It shaped the way I seek out different kinds of music outside the mainstream. It gave me an endless hunger to find new, interesting bands that have their own thing. The time signatures were a gateway to all things prog. Because I started playing drums to those 5/4 or 7/8 rhythms, they still feel really natural to me.
What was the catalyst that inspired you to start EKZ Records after dreaming about it for two decades?
I went to a Finnish music university for a course called “popular music’s artistic producing.” The teacher was legendary Finnish producer Riku Mattila. There, I met great like-minded people, including the artist Px3Kauppila. The teacher encouraged us to follow our dreams as producers. I was totally awed by Px3Kauppila’s music and thought it deserved to be released! I always wanted to release music but didn’t know how or what running a record company really involved. That course and the inspiration from Riku Mattila helped me finally decide to start my own label.
Can you describe the moment when you realized your vision for a record label could become a reality? What were the initial steps you took to establish EKZ Records?
I already had my own small company that I used to produce TV programs. So, it was natural to just combine the two and change the company name to EKZ Records. It felt really good to finally take that step.
How do you approach the selection of artists and music for EKZ Records? What qualities do you look for that resonate with your vision?
It really has to resonate with me on some level. It has to move me and be something I immediately want to share with others: “Check this out right now!” It doesn’t have to be my favorite kind of music, just something that’s like, wow!
With your diverse musical interests, from ’90s hip hop to Italian ’70s prog, how do you balance these influences in the label’s catalog?
I have current projects going on with a hip hop artist, prog, and folk bands. So, there’s going to be quite a diversity in the EKZ Records catalog in the future. But everything has to be special and have some kind of edge to it.
Px3Kauppila’s debut album, ‘Hirttäytynyt Neito,’ beautifully intertwines her roles as a percussionist and psychiatrist. How do you think her unique background influences her music and lyrics? What do you hope listeners take away from her work?
I was really fascinated by this album, her story, and her lyrics. I hope the audience feels the same way. So far, it sure looks like that—the album has received many great reviews.
The album dives into themes of inequality and individual autonomy. How do you see these themes resonating with today’s social climate, and what role do you think music can play in addressing such issues?
I feel that artists who address these kinds of issues in today’s social climate are not only brave but necessary. For me, music is all about provoking people to use their own minds.
On the other hand, the Giant Hogweed Orchestra has a rich history, and their self-titled album is a re-release after two decades. What excites you most about bringing this music back to the forefront?
It was always a dream to release it as a vinyl. We were only 18 or 19 years old when we recorded the album. It was just on YouTube as a video for years. So, it’s a legacy we wanted to bring to the present day—on digital platforms and as a vinyl release—to hopefully find new listeners. We’ve already played two 20th-anniversary live shows so far. They feature different takes on the songs. It’s been really cool to get the band back together and find out there’s still dry gunpowder in the barrel! Probably one of the live shows will be released as well. There’s also some new music in the works.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for EKZ Records in the coming years? Are there any specific things you’re eager to explore or bring into the fold?
I just want to release more great records and keep a nice diversity in the genres. I hope the label becomes something listeners can rely on—that every release is worth listening to and maybe getting in a physical format as well. In the near future, there’s a really cool re-release of an older prog record in the works. There’s also this amazing duo I can’t wait to produce and release their album!
How do you envision evolving the label while maintaining that authentic connection to the music and the artists?
I’m in no rush to put out albums quickly. I want to select my artists carefully, so it might still take some time for me to make the next release. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
As someone who has worked in the Finnish TV industry for 18 years, how do you feel your experience in editing and storytelling influences your approach to music production and the label?
For me, editing is all about rhythm, and I kind of approach it the same way I approach music. Everything is storytelling, and I want to enable more stories to be told.
You describe yourself as a “music freak.” How do you stay inspired and continue to discover new music? Are there particular methods or rituals you have for immersing yourself in new sounds?
As I said before, I’m always on the lookout for new music. Finding an interesting artist takes me down a rabbit hole of other new artists and sounds. Whenever I find something interesting, I research them and their genre thoroughly. That leads me to new discoveries and so on.
Klemen Breznikar
Headline photo: Jesse Keinonen
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