FROM AMIGA 500 TO THE NATIONAL THEATRE
Hmm, I might have something for you…
It was sometime in the early 2000’s when Antti walked into my little workshop and started describing a guitar he would need. He talked about the sound and other aspects of it, and at some point I realized I might have something ready for him, right there and then.
I dug up a case in which I had one of the early VSOP Deluxe guitars – and Antti totally fell in love with it… and it didn’t end quite there…
Antti’s toolbox
Over the years Antti has acquired quite a few guitars from us – each one for a specific purpose in his toolbox. The latest one is the Duke Emperor, a true one-of-a-kind!
The Official Ruokangas Theme
Antti has also become one of my closest friends – and he has helped me out a great deal by doing a lot of audio and video material for our use – one cool example being the Official Ruokangas Theme music! Antti has also worked as our demo player at various guitar shows in Finland and Germany.
A story worth sharing
Antti could be called a musical multi-talent for a good reason. And… it is not really only his skills – but also his unbelievably humble and hard working attitude that has really made a long lasting impression to me. So, when we decided to include a series of mini-documentaries to our new website, filmed by SmakFilm, it was very easy for me to pick Antti as one of the artists to be featured on these little films. His story just deserved to be shared. Antti’s film is also embedded to the Duke main page – scroll down, there it is!
Learning to compose with Amiga 500
Antti Paranko’s career as a musician began in the age of 12, learning to compose with Amiga 500 computer and keyboards. He has played guitar since 14-year old, and has studied singing in Metropolia, Helsinki.
Antti mentions a few influences to his playing: Jeff Buckley, Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, John Scofield, Pat Metheny, John McLaughlin, Mike Rutherford, Steve Morse, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kerry Livgren and Jeff Beck. He’s always been more intrigued by the sound and songs by different players than learning their fastest licks.
Bleu Metron
His prog rock band Bleu Metron has released two albums. Antti has done all the compositions, lyrics and arrangements on the album. You can find a fantastic full concert video of their second album The Stream on YouTube.
Quad
Antti’s jazz band Quad released their first album in February 2010. Antti is the composer and lyricist of all the music of the this groovejazz -style band, energetic fusion of jazz, soul, funk and groove.
Going solo
Antti released his first solo album Free Falling in 2013 – check it out on Apple Music.
Earkraft
His other bands include Earkraft, a trio formed together with Mikko Arlin and Markus Setzer – and a wonderful project Local Poets, which you can find from Spotify.
Antti has also a long career as a theatre conductor for Hämeenlinnan Kaupunginteatteri, and he has worked for other theatres as well, Kansallisteatteri among them.
‘CREATURE’ BY ANTTI PARANKO
A beautiful tune, ‘Creature’, by Antti Paranko. Played with Ruokangas Mojo Grande / Art Infused II.
