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
Vilja
Tenhi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pian se hahmoja nostattaa
Kun luonnonhelma henkii
Verettömiä utulintuja
Kuin häilyviä perhoja
Väreilisi pinta maan
Niin auer hiljaa vierii
Viljan yllä laineilee
[English translation:]
Let the rain fall
After the grey clouds
Colourless songbirds
Rise without a tune
Like fluttering butterflies
The ground is filled
With odd shapes
And fog that flourishes in the wind
The lyrics of the song Vilja by Tenhi describe the peaceful and haunting beauty of nature when it is in its full swing. The opening line of "Let the rain fall" seems to instantly transport the listener into the midst of a rain shower, where the drops seem to wash away all the worries and create a serene environment. As the song progresses, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of the natural wonders that surround the singer. The song portrays the misty and surreal environment where everything seems to be in harmony, creating an almost spiritual atmosphere that is both calming and mind-clearing.
The lyrics of Vilja also suggest that the singer is not just an observer of nature but also a part of it. The line "Colourless songbirds rise without a tune" implies that the song of nature is not limited to just one sound but is instead more of a holistic entity that is all-encompassing. The use of fluttering butterflies and odd shapes on the ground further supports the idea that nature is a source of endless inspiration, with beauty that can be found in even the smallest details. Overall, the lyrics of the song Vilja create a deep sense of connection with nature and its beauty.
Line by Line Meaning
Antaa virrata sateen
To let the rain flow
Pian se hahmoja nostattaa
Soon it raises forms
Kun luonnonhelma henkii
When the womb of nature breathes
Verettömiä utulintuja
Bloodless mist birds
Kuin häilyviä perhoja
Like fluttering butterflies
Väreilisi pinta maan
The surface of the earth ripples
Niin auer hiljaa vierii
Thus the mist quietly rolls
Viljan yllä laineilee
Above the grain it waves
Contributed by Caden E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
CofeeAuLait
"Let the rain fall After the grey clouds Colourless songbirds Rise without a tune Like fluttering butterflies The ground is filled With odd shapes And fog that flourishes in the wind" - A glimpse into zen.
Giya Kei
Haven't heard this in a decade. Oh how I have missed it.
Leonardo Reis
Even snow has fallen in Brazil this winter. Time for some Tenhi
Prophecy Productions
thank you :)
Gustavo Dutra Amaral
excelente música ... passa uma sensação de profunda tristeza .
Jorge Delfín
Only Nature, Magnific song !
Toni Kulmala
Let the rain flow, It will soon raise shapes.
When the nature exhales bloodless mist-birds.
Like with fluttering butterflies, the cover of the earth shimmers.
So does the haze slowly roll, billowing over the fields.
Saray Norbert
Beautiful song...looking at the winter landscape...
Aeternuss
My favorite
Vad Pagan Metal
Magic