Welcome to the different eras of popular music in Oulu!
The Sound of the North– tracing the origins of popular music is a digital story route that can be experienced throughout Oulu using your own mobile device.
Ten nostalgic short stories tell about the phenomena, waves, places and people of popular music in Oulu. The stories were written and are narrated by musician Esa “Katz” Nissi from, among others, the band Radiopuhelimet. On the route's map, the stories are placed close to their actual locations and can either be read or listened to.
"Rattori was no more, and the rock folk dispersed all over town"
The vivid stories of the Sound of the North route take you from Kuusrock to music video festivals and from Rauhala to NuKu's discos. Rattori-Lupi, the metal city, Leipätehdas, 45 Special, the Madetoja music school and the paska kaupunni ("shitty city", misspelled) graffiti each also have their own stories.
In addition to Nissi's stories, the route also includes interviews that take the listener even deeper into the world of northern popular music. Views and memories are shared by Kuusrock’s founder Markku Hänninen, Vesa Ranta from the band Sentenced, doorman legend Jorma Karhumaa, Jarno Mällinen from Radiopuhelimet, Petri Sirviö from Mieskuoro Huutajat, event expert Taina Ronkainen, youth work veteran Paula Kariniemi, 45 Special’s Ilpo and Roope Sulkala, student Ella Huttunen from Madetoja music school and Marlene Hyyppä, expert in Oulu's underground culture.
Each story is independent and they can be experienced in any order. The permanent route is part of the Oulu region’s journey towards becoming the European Capital of Culture in 2026.
Stories: Esa Nissi
Voice: Esa Nissi
Content production: Filmbutik Oulu
Photos: Kaleva archive
Production and implementation: Oulu Culture Foundation
The main funder: Council of Oulu Region
© Oulu Culture Foundation