Roope Riihijärvi

THESE GUITARS MAKE ME PLAY BETTER

The summer of 2011
We had just about moved our workshop to the current location, Harviala Manor. A teenager, perhaps 16 or 17 years old, walked in to our shop and introduced himself politely as Roope Riihijärvi, and continued to express his enthusiasm towards our guitars. Roope was very excited about our move too – he lived just a few kilometers away.

If this kid doesn’t make it…
The way this young man talked about his plans to soon apply to the best Pop & Jazz Conservatory of our country and to become a professional musician was quite convincing. He was full of energy, excitement, determination – and that almost naive faith to the future, which I consider in fact to be essentially important. That’s the only way! I remember thinking: “If this kid doesn’t make it, then nobody will”.

Boycott comeback
It’s been a great joy to follow the development of Roope’s career through the years. He did get in to the school he wanted to – and in no time he was gigging with a number of experienced artists of our country, Tommi Läntinen and his reformed band Boycott amongst them.

They’re playing me!
Roope’s determination didn’t stop there. Once he had acquired his first guitar from us (Aeon Artist) and realized how good match it was for him, he continued to fill his toolbox with more custom built guitars from us. In Roope’s words: “These guitars just make me play better – like they’d be playing me!”

Brother Firetribe
When Brother Firetribe started looking for a guitarist to replace Emppu Vuorinen (Nightwish, Brother Firetribe) for their Alive ‘n Breathin 2019 tour, I have to say I was very happy – but not really surprised – when I heard Roope had gotten the job.

That’s the way. With such unparalleled skills as a guitarist and down to earth, humble attitude towards making music and life all together, there’s good things ahead for Roope in the future as well.

Photo credits:
Mira Suutari-Toivonen / RockUnited.com