Thank you for an unforgettable 2025
As 2025 comes to a close, we’re looking back with a big grin and a lot of gratitude. Mustik Motel Music exists because we love this music and it keeps moving forward because you listen, share, come to gigs, buy records, and tell a friend “Hey, you need to hear this!”.
This year we had the joy of releasing three full-length albums:
- Lauri Kallio – Turtles, Cats and Other Creatures
- Eero Savela – Way To
- Kadi Vija – Tiny Hands Gathering Wonder, The World Becomes Magic
Each of these releases has its own world inside it. Different moods, different textures, different ways of telling the truth through sound. We feel genuinely lucky to help bring them into the world.
And 2025 didn’t just bring new music. It brought some seriously encouraging nods along the way. Kadi Vija’s album received an Emma nomination, and both Kadi’s and Eero’s albums earned IndieCo nominations. On top of that, we’ve been thrilled to see our releases mentioned across multiple year-end best-of lists.
- Tina Edwards top 20 jazz and jazz-ish records of 2025
- Matti Nives | HHV Mag Artist & Partner Vinyl Charts of 2025 | Charts | HHV
- DJ Jukola 2025 selects: Finland
- desibeli.net – Lauri Kallio: Turtles, Cats and Other Creatures
- Aisteja, älyä ja mielikuvitusta – arviossa Eero Savelan Way To -albumi – Kulttuuritoimitus
- Eero Savela: Way To (Mustik Motel, 2025) – Valon kuvia
- Eero Savela ‘Way To’ LP (Mustik Motel) 3/5 – ukvibe – astral travelling since 1993
- Lauri Kallio ‘Turtles, Cats and Other Creatures’ LP (Mustik Motel) 4/5 – ukvibe – astral travelling since 1993
- Vinyyliviisikko: Mikko Pettinen Why Not, Eero Savela, The Five Corners Quintet, Eero Koivistoinen, Openness Trio – Jazzpossu
- OCTA New Music Weekly – Episode #323 – One Chord To Another – A Finnish Pop Site
- OCTA New Music Weekly – Episode #338 – One Chord To Another – A Finnish Pop Site
- Favorite Finnish Albums of 2025 – One Chord To Another – A Finnish Pop Site
- Record Store X employees have favourited: Lauri Kallio, Eero Savela
Awards and lists aren’t the whole point, but they are a meaningful signal that this music is landing, resonating, and travelling farther than we could ever push it alone.
So: Thank You.
Thank you to the artists for your vision, your work, your patience, and your courage to put something real out into the world.
Thank you to everyone behind the scenes: recording, mixing, mastering, artwork, pressing, friend labels, distribution, record stores, promo, radio, writers, DJs, venues, photographers, and all the fellow doers who help the wheels turn.
Special thank you to all our listeners: you’re the reason this label gets to exist at all.
We already have new projects in motion for 2026, and we can’t wait to share what’s next: new sounds, new stories, new memories.
Until then: take care, keep listening, and keep your curiosity alive.
Warm jazz love from the cold north,
Antti & Jarno / Mustik Motel Music
Kadi Vija Emma Gala 2025 nominee!
We’ve got news that still doesn’t quite fit in our heads: our artist Kadi Vija has been nominated for the Emma Award in the Jazz category (Vuoden Jazz) for her album Tiny Hands Gathering Wonder, The World Becomes Magic.
The Emma nominations for 2025 were announced on 10th of December 2025, and the awards will be presented at the Emma Gala in Espoo on 7th of March 2026.
For us at Mustik Motel, this nomination is more than a headline. It’s a reminder of why we do this in the first place.
Tiny Hands Gathering Wonder, The World Becomes Magic is also a deeply human record – built around everyday wonder, family life, and the kind of questions kids ask that adults should probably take more seriously. The album was created together with drummer–producer Teppo Mäkynen, and it carries that special feeling of something carefully crafted that still leaves room for air and surprise.
We want to send a massive thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey: the musicians and collaborators, everyone who’s listened, shared, bought the record, booked gigs, written about the music, and shown up in the room. Independent music is basically a chain reaction of trust—and we’re grateful for every link in it.
Onnea & aitäh, Kadi. We’re proud – and still slightly stunned.
If you haven’t spent time with the album yet, now’s a pretty good moment:
Listen / Buy Vinyl: Bandcamp
Further Emma Gala read in Finnish: Vuoden Jazz 2025 – Emma Gaala
Tampere Jazz Happening 2025
The 44th International Jazz Happening took place last weekend, filled with joy, reunions with old and new friends, and plenty of great music. This year, we had the incredible honor of both opening and closing the festival with performances by Mustik Motel artists.
See Maarit Kytöharju Tahmela Six photos here: Instagram
Marita Nyrhinen had a good impression on Tahmela Six, read in Finnish here:
Tampere Jazz Happening 2025 soitettiin uusissa mutta väliaikaisissa tiloissa – Kulttuuritoimitus
Ville Kurki took photos of Lauri Kallio and his band: Instagram
Tahmela Six – Ground VI – Kiikala Live
Mid August of this year Tahmela Six gathered at Lauri Kallio’s recording studio complex and ranch at Kiikala. First album was recorded inside during mid of the winter so it was only right ding to do to set the second album recording outside. Weather was pleasant warm and the group squeezed something good on the tape. Listen your self!
Second album is coming out closer to summer 2026!
Kadi Vija New album out now!
Join us to celebrate vocal instrumentalist Kadi Vija new album “Tiny Hands Gathering Wonder, The World Becomes Magic”!
The album is a vibrant narrative album celebrating the beauty and complexity of a rainbow family. Jazz vocal artist Kadi Vija shares her journey as a social parent, exploring love, connection, and the unique rhythms of family life.
“The album is a journey through time and imagination. At moments, it feels like sitting at the edge of your childhood bed; at others, you’re caught in the repetitive, numbing rhythm of everyday life. Then suddenly, a breathtakingly tender moment unfolds a landscape bathed in the colors and sensitivity of nature.”
– Laura Malmivaara, actress
Featured Musicians
Kadi Vija – vocals, synths, hand clap, percussions
Teppo Mäkynen – vocals, synths, hand clap, percussions
Teppo Vija – piano
Let us know where the music lands! We’re always happy to hear your thoughts and share your support across our channels and celebrate the music together.
Stream
Also available on all other major streaming services.
Vinyl
Available now on Mustik Motel Webshop & Bandcamp. Pre-orders starts shipping today! Distribution to all well-equipped stores starts today! Please follow our social media for updates!
One more thing! If you happen to be in Helsinki this weekend here’s a tip: Kadi Vija is having her very own festival in Herttoniemi. She will be playing the album material live on Saturday 4.10.2025 at Treffi. Go festival and read more at her website: Herttoniemi Jazzfest – Kadi Vija
Dance Of The Toys
Today, with the second single out, we’re celebrating the final step toward the full release of Tiny Hands Gathering Wonder, The World Becomes Magic. Claim your pre-order vinyl copy and step into this emotionally rich, jazz-rooted celebration of rainbow family life.
STREAM
Also available on all other major streaming services.
VINYL
Available now for pre-order on Mustik Motel Webshop & Bandcamp. Pre-orders starts shipping a few days prior to the album release or at latest as soon as we receive the pressing. Distribution to all well-equipped stores follows same principle. Please follow our social media for store updates!
Way To reviews and features
Eero’s debut has been well received! It’s incredible to think that Kulttuuritoimitus awarded the album a five-star rating on the very day it was released!
Read the review by Maria Nyrhinen in Finnish (use Google translate for English version!): Aisteja, älyä ja mielikuvitusta – arviossa Eero Savelan Way To -albumi – Kulttuuritoimitus
Also want to mention One Man’s Jazz from Canada featuring “Phantasm” on the show, around 2h mark:
Fosterchild, Jim Black, Mathieu Donarier & Armaroli/Piccolo/Sharp article @ All About Jazz
Way To is here!
Join us in celebrating the long-awaited debut from trumpeter Eero Savela. An artist whose unmistakable tone has lifted countless acclaimed recordings. With Way To, he steps confidently into the spotlight, revealing a voice that’s entirely his own.
QUOTES
“Savela has composed six strong melodies that clearly place him within the jazz tradition. At times, echoes of Tomasz Stańko’s melancholic spirit emerge, and Savela’s honest, gritty trumpet tone only deepens the impression.”
-Valonkuvia blog – read full review in Finnish: HERE!
“An artistic vision so comprehensive and refined that it occasionally dazzles.”
-Tidens Larm blog – read full review in Swedish 22.8. onwards HERE!
Featured Musicians:
🎺 Eero Savela – trumpet
🎹 Seppo Kantonen – wurlitzer electric piano
🎸 Eero Tikkanen – double bass
🥁 Joonas Leppänen – drums
🎶 Erno Haukkala – trombone (featured on two tracks)
STREAM
Also available on all other major streaming services.
VINYL
Available now on Mustik Motel Webshop & Bandcamp. Pre-orders starts shipping now as well as distribution to all well-equipped stores. Please follow our social media for store updates!
Kadi Vija single Big Hands, Deep Voice out now!
Kadi Vija’s forthcoming album first single is out now!
Listen at: SPOTIFY, TIDAL and all other major streaming services!
Buy digital at: Bandcamp
Vinyl will be available upon album release.
Let us know where the music lands! Let’s celebrate the music together!
Kadi Vija’s New Album Is Arriving at Mustik Motel
We’re proud to welcome Kadi Vija to the Mustik Motel family.
Kadi Vija (b. 1985, FIN/EST) has a long background in vocal jazz improvisation and defines herself primarily as a vocal instrumentalist. Vija’s music explores sounds from modernism, jazz and electronics, as well as a deep fascination with rhythmic variety.
Her forthcoming album, Tiny Hands Gathering Wonder, The World Becomes Magic, is a vibrant narrative journey through the rhythms of rainbow family life. Inspired by her experience as a social parent, Kadi explores love, friendship, and the everyday magic of connection beyond traditional roles.
The first single, “Big Hands, Deep Voice”, arrives August 14th. It’s a tender and resonant opening to the album’s world—where deep empathy and gentle compassion guide the way.
As our label co-founder Jarno reflects:
“Life is always a miracle—and a child’s life, even more so. When you witness your child up close each day, you begin to notice things that might otherwise pass you by as a parent. Moments of deep empathy. Gentle compassion. These are the very paths that could make the world a better place for us all.”
We’re honored to share this journey with Kadi. Stay tuned for more, and mark your calendars for August 14th.