M. J. Talkkari is the drummer of Lahoava, bringing to the band’s sound both raw energy and an expression shaped independently over the years. His journey with drums began exceptionally early: the spark was lit around the age of five, when he witnessed a performance by Pauli Hanhiniemen Perunateatteri at the Kuortane Youth Club – and especially the drumming of Mika Hiironniemi, who was his sister’s boyfriend at the time. Talkkari’s first time behind a drum set in front of an audience was at that very couple’s wedding, when he was still a small kid.
He is a self-taught drummer whose style has developed through a wide range of influences. In addition to Hiironniemi, his biggest inspirations include Hellhammer, Heikki Saari, and Mike Portnoy. The world of metal music drew him in early through bands like Children of Bodom and Nightwish, and the genre’s intensity and complexity quickly became the foundation of his playing. He discovered black metal during his early teens. Lately, his playlists have featured bands such as Moonsorrow, Havukruunu, Finntroll, and Mayhem.
Before Lahoava, Talkkari played in a rock band called Anza with S. P. Tuomisto, as well as in numerous unnamed youth projects where the fire to play always outweighed recording or performing live. He was eventually recruited into Lahoava through this connection with Anza. Along with Tuomisto, Talkkari belongs to the half of Lahoava’s members who have a strong technical understanding of music equipment and technology.
Outside the drums, Talkkari is a quiet introvert who speaks when there’s something to say – and when he does, his words carry weight. He lives in Lapua, and in everyday life, he is grounded by humor and interests such as PC gaming, movies, and TV series. He also follows Formula 1 closely – a sport where analytical thinking and quick reflexes are just as valuable as they are behind a drum kit.
In Lahoava, Talkkari keeps the rhythm steady with confident hands – modestly, but with uncompromising precision
Photos:
Aani Visuals
Special thanks for providing the shoot location:
Yli-Lauroselan talomuseo ja Korvalaanen Oy