The songs are not autobiographical in the traditional sense. They are not directly written from a specific point in our lives portraying a moment or a story that could be unraveled to a listener in a way that it would make sense.
The Work
The inspiration comes from small pieces and fragments of music and art. Such fragments could be for example a memory, melody, voice, picture, word or a view. Sometimes a misheard fragment of melody springs a new idea, which after a while turns into a song. Some of our compositions have got their initial inspiration from a painting.
Usually one of the members brings the main idea for the band to develop. It is quite seldom that songs are composed through jamming sessions although a lot of our material is improvised during recording sessions. We often write things that even we don't understand immediately. Creating usually happens first on a subconscious level. Thus far there has not been formed a procedure for us for composing music — every song has its own way of appearing into our lives.
Melancholia
We have a big heart for melancholia — sadness is beautiful. The blue side of life is where we are as persons and as artists. The music also reflects our introversion.
Finland, Finnish and Folk
The Finnish language represents the Finnish mentality best. Our music has its roots in the Finnish folk music so using Finnish language to reflect our feelings and mental landscapes is obvious to us. However, the folk elements in Tenhi are indirect. We try to interpret them in our own way. With using folk elements we want to give certain timelessness and feel of our native land's beauty.
Nature
The greatest inspiration for us is nature. It is an endless source of amazement and beauty. We try to achieve the same kind of timelessness that is present there. In nature things are in the purest of forms.
We compare our album Maaäet to an autumnal forest. It was its feel that we aimed for when we were creating the music. Life slowly fleeing from everywhere, fatalism, acceptance, gentle fall to sleep, turning towards an end of a cycle, giving energy back to earth — giving it to be a seed of new life.
Aesthetic
Music and visual arts together form the concept of Tenhi. For us they are inseparable for achieving the whole experience we are aiming at. During the composing the visual context is a guide for us and it works as a window from where the themes are captured. As we create the album covers ourselves we set the final frames for the musical canvas.
For example the cover of the album Airut:Aamujen represents the core of the album. The portrait is a mental passage away from this place. The black stain curling around the girl's head could be an extension or a reflection of mind — an idea emerging from the subconscious. It could however be read as a death metaphor, the spirit leaving the body.
— Ilmari and Tyko 2007-01-31
Line-up
Tyko Saarikko: vocals, guitar, and piano
Ilmari Issakainen: guitar, piano, drums, bass, and backing vocals
Tuukka Tolvanen: backing vocals
Jaakko Hilppö: backing vocals
Inka Eerola: violin
Janina Lehto: flute
Live line-up
Tyko Saarikko: vocals and guitar
Ilmari Issakainen: guitar and backing vocals
Tuukka Tolvanen: guitar and backing vocals
Jaakko Hilppö: bass and backing vocals
Inka Eerola: violin
Jussi Lehtinen: piano
Raimo Kovalainen: drums
The Escape
Taival
Tenhi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ilta toi vieraakseen syvän läheisyyden
Kun täältä vihdoin lähden
Jätän vuodattamatta kyyneleen
Kuljin hiljaa käsikkäin
Surun kanssa päivän päätteeseen
Tuo murhe vierelläin
[Straying]
I am not forlorn under stars
The ebening veiled me with closeness
When it is my time to leave
I will shed no tears
Hand in hand with woe
I travelled to the end of day
As I, the sorrow by my side
Strayed unto morning grey
The song "Taival" by Tenhi is a poetic composition that reflects on the experiences of life and death through the metaphorical use of nature. The first stanza speaks of the singer's journey through life and how their struggles and sorrows have led them to experience a deep sense of intimacy with the world around them. The singer acknowledges that their time will eventually come to an end, but they will not cry when they depart. The second stanza describes the singer's companion along their journey, personifying sorrow as a being that walks hand in hand with them. The reference to "straying unto morning grey" suggests that the journey has been long and difficult but ultimately leads to a new dawn.
The lyrics of "Taival" can be interpreted in different ways depending on the listener's perspective. The themes of mortality, nature, and companionship are universal and can be applied to various life experiences. The use of metaphorical language and imagery adds depth and emotional resonance to the song. The use of Finnish language in the lyrics adds a sense of cultural authenticity and identity to the song, which is characteristic of Tenhi's music.
Line by Line Meaning
I am not forlorn under stars
I am not alone under the vast night sky
The ebening veiled me with closeness
The evening embraced me with intimacy
When it is my time to leave
When I depart this world
I will shed no tears
I will leave without regret or sorrow
Hand in hand with woe
With grief as my companion
I travelled to the end of day
I journeyed until the day's end
As I, the sorrow by my side
While I am still plagued by sorrow
Strayed unto morning grey
I continued to wander into the grey morning
Contributed by Lily M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
yodd from the spheres dame
Stunning in every sense of the word. Absolutely beautiful.
Game Sapiens
boys have you ever had a strong desire to hug someone girl? that was strong feeling, but i had nobody to hug and when i was doing it in my imagination and hugging blankets at night my chest had a feeling like strong push or melting but i liked that feeling but after time its slowly disappeared and i miss now i wish i feel that again it looked like i fall in love in love
Esteban Echeverría
Amazing, just amazing