In Sepikka’s distinctive world, people identify with animals, celebrate friendship, and make keen observations about humanity and our time. A strong underlying theme is frustration with society’s obsession with efficiency and the exploitation of nature. Sepikka’s unique sonic landscape has been compared to artists such as Bon Iver and Philip Glass.
Sepikka’s sound is grand yet delicate, like a gusty storm wind. The fierce and surging pop seems inspired by currents and silence, by forces that grow and settle—forces that do not originate from humans. The artist has crafted a world entirely his own, both musically and conceptually: an expansive and rugged band sound is blended with sample aesthetics and classical instruments. Strings, horns, and pianos resonate in a vast and at times fragmented manner. On the surface, Sepikka’s music may seem like gentle crafting, a childlike admiration of nature. However, the serene bubbling intensifies almost imperceptibly into an unpredictable, breathless sprint through misty fields in the freezing cold.
Behind the artist name Sepikka is Joni Seppänen, who has captivated both Finnish music critics (e.g., Helsingin Sanomat, Soundi) and award juries (e.g., Emma Gala, Indie Awards) with his albums En kestä kylmää lailla ahvenen (2021) and Ei koskaan rakkaudella (2024).
Sepikka’s debut album En kestä kylmää lailla ahvenen was awarded Album of the Year at the Indie Awards and was also nominated for the prestigious Nordic Music Prize. Soundi magazine named Sepikka Newcomer of the Year, and the Emma Gala recognized him with two nominations. The highly anticipated second studio album, Ei koskaan rakkaudella, was released in February 2024 to glowing reviews from Helsingin Sanomat, Soundi, and Suomen Kuvalehti, earning yet another Indie Awards nomination.
