Johanna Elina Sulkunen Releases Final Album of Trilogia: Coexistence

Finnish composer and producer Johanna Elina Sulkunen released her new album Coexistence on May 24, 2024, concluding a trilogy that began with Koan and continued with Terra. The album explores universal themes such as happiness, home, and corporeality, focusing on marginalized individuals including homeless people and refugees. Sulkunen recorded most of the voices on the streets of Copenhagen, using field recording to connect with reality. She shifted her approach after a Syrian refugee criticized her stigmatizing perspective, leading her to let interviewees choose topics like happiness. The trilogy moves from introspection (Koan) to nature (Terra) to society (Coexistence). Sulkunen uses her voice solely as sound, not speech, creating a platform for others. She practices deep listening, which she experienced spontaneously in Japan while recording Koan. The interview was conducted by Carlotta Petracci.