Kadi Vija Wins Jazz Emma 2026!
Last night at Emma Gaala 2026, Kadi Vija took home the Jazz of the Year award for Tiny Hands Gathering Wonder, The World Becomes Magic! We couldn’t be happier!
The competition was fierce. This year’s Jazz Emma nominees were a testament to the strength of the Finnish jazz scene right now: Helmi Antila (Kuvia nuoruudesta / Kuohu Records), Joona Toivanen Trio (Gravity / We Jazz), Harri Kuusijärvi (Aallot / Flame Jazz Records), Pepa Päivinen Peacepipe (Vihmoo / Flame Jazz Records), and Varre Vartiainen with Mike Stern (Head and Heart / Eclipse Music). An incredible lineup.
Kadi came out on top, and it’s a well-deserved recognition of her singular artistry. As a vocal instrumentalist who blurs the lines between voice, improvisation, and modern sound design, she continues to push what jazz can be in 2026.
Congratulations, Kadi! This one’s for the books.
A huge thank you to Kadi for your vision and music! And to everyone who was part of bringing this album to life.
Kadi Vija Wins IndieCo 2026 Jazz Category!
Kadi Vija winning the jazz category at the 2026 IndieCo Indie Music Awards feels genuinely special to us. Not only because the recognition is so well deserved, but also because it arrives at the end of an incredible year for Mustik Motel Music.
With both Kadi Vija and Eero Savela nominated at the IndieCo Awards, and with Eero Savela and Lauri Kallio both receiving five-star album reviews, we were already deeply proud. Kadi’s win now feels like a meaningful closing moment. A crown for 2025!
We’re grateful, happy, and honestly moved. Thank you to everyone who has listened, supported, collaborated this year with us.
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
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
Album: Kadi Vija – Tiny Hands Gathering Wonder, The World Becomes Magic
“Tiny Hands Gathering Wonder, The World Becomes Magic” 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.
What does friendship look like when the family structure defies convention? How do you build a relationship with a child when traditional roles don’t apply?
Teppo, a child with a bright and curious spirit, invites us into a world of wonder and questions.
Vija and drummer/producer Teppo Mäkynen craft a heartfelt journey through childhood, friendship, and the everyday magic of family beyond conventions.
Recorded at two locations in Helsinki: at Kaapelitehdas between Spring 2023, Fall 2024, Spring 2025 & at Herttoniemi during Summer 2023.
Produced, recorded and mixed by Teppo Mäkynen
Mastered by Jarno Alho
Graphic design by Miiro Seppänen
Photography by Antti Kujala & Miiro Seppänen
Featured Musicians:
Kadi Vija – vocals, synths, hand clap, percussions
Teppo Mäkynen – programming, synths, percussions, hand clap, vibraphone, effects
Teppo Vija – piano
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!
Single: Kadi Vija – Dance Of The Toys
Listen at: SPOTIFY, TIDAL and all other major streaming services!
Buy digital at: Bandcamp
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!
Single: Kadi Vija – Big Hands, Deep Voice
Listen at: SPOTIFY, TIDAL and all other major streaming services!
Buy digital at: Bandcamp