Johanna Kurkela is the lead singer of progressive folk group, Auri. If you open heart and ear to the mesmerizing, hauntingly beautiful soundscapes of AURI, you might find a beacon of light inside a sonic realm untouched by today’s often scary, grim realities; a dreamscape that can be profoundly uplifting.
On their third studio album, III - Candles & Beginnings' the stars have aligned yet again. Propelled by the unique and celestial voice of Johanna Kurkela, the magical textures of Nightwish mastermind Tuomas Holopainen and the almost unlimited musical palette of Nigtwish multi-instrumentalist Troy Donockley, Auri have presented a world to be unlocked with the senses, blending folk, progressive and symphonic elements, world music, pop and avantgarde.
Right after completing Nightwish’s 2024 monument Yesterwynde, the songwriting for the third chapter in Auri’s musical adventures started in 2023, with Troy writing in Yorkshire and Tuomas and Johanna working their creative magic in Kitee, Finland. By Autumn 2024, a 10-song demo was complete, setting the stage for what would become another breathtaking Auri journey. The band and their trusted engineer Tero "Teecee" Kinnunen took the mixing process to sunny Spain, letting the Andalucian vibes infuse the music whereas in March 2025 mastering was wrapped up by Tim Oliver at the legendary Real World Studios - a ground-breaking recording complex started by Peter Gabriel in 1989.
The album is a tapestry of emotions - each song a world of its own, touching on childhood memories, vivid life experiences, and even a nod to one of the group’s most beloved places on Earth - The Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge, a historic spot nestled in the North York Moors and one of the most remote pubs you will ever find.
Visually, the cover artwork by Pete Voutilainen, layout and watercolors by Mikko Pankasalo plus calligraphy by Johanna Kurkela provide wonderful illustrations perfectly capturing Auri’s unique musical visions.
With guest musicians like Frank Van Essen (strings), Jonas Pap (cello), Juho Kanervo (basses), and the incredible drumming and percussion courtesy of Nightwish’s Kai Hahto, Auri III - Candles & Beginnings is as lush as it is atmospheric and provides astonishing dynamics.
Having been a studio endeavour in the past, Auri is finally going on tour with their first-ever live European trek kicking off in August 2025, followed by summer festivals in 2026, allowing you to hear, see and feel songs from their previous two albums, as well as brand new pieces from III - Candles & Beginnings (such as the atmospheric new video's ‘Shieldmaiden’ and ‘Museum Of Childhood’). Its been a long time coming, but coming it is...
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Lucie Burns: Unlock Your Art
Lucie Burns is an Industry Leading Performance Coach, Speaker, and bestselling Author of "The Art of Live Performance Unlocked". She is the Founder of Stage Ready Artists and Host of The Singing Buddha Podcast. She was named 'A performance coach to follow' by LA Weekly, and has been featured on two TV documentaries, showcasing her transformational work with musicians. Lucie believes in creatively nurturing the person behind the performer, working holistically and intuitively, focusing on the connection between mind, body and emotion.
With nearly 30 years in the industry, Lucie’s unique approach makes her a go-to expert for those looking to own the stage and transform their craft. She is also known as the artist, songwriter and music producer Lazy Hammock. She has achieved 4 x #1s, released 11 self-produced albums, and amassed over 25 million streams. Her music has been licensed to TV shows and major labels including Sony BMG, Ministry of Sound, Hed Kandi, and EMI.
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Cesar De La Rosa: Born to Sing
Cesar De La Rosa is a singer, most well-known for being the baritone member of the a cappella group VoicePlay. In his city of Orlando, Florida, he’s recognized as a singer-songwriter and special events producer, with his ten toes in countless shows year-round. In his friends’ circles, Cesar is known as a mystical and deeply silly elf, with a dark sense of humor and an awful sense of style. Finally, in his mother’s eyes, Cesar is just her youngest baby boy—who loves to sing.
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Rachel Potter: Broadway Vocals
Rachel Potter, an acclaimed Broadway star and accomplished Nashville Recording artist, has been recognized by US Weekly as "One to Watch" and praised by the Hollywood Reporter for her "crystalline vocals." With a successful career in both musical theater and country music, Rachel has showcased her talent on stages of all sizes.
Rachel's impressive resume includes her turn as the ever “popular” Glinda u/s on the National Tour of Wicked. Next, she made her Broadway debut as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family, where she shared the stage with Bebe Neuwirth and Brooke Shields as Morticia. She then went on to originate the role of the Mistress in the Tony Nominated revival of Evita, alongside Ricky Martin and Michael Cerveris. Her standout performance on the Original Broadway Cast Recording of the production, singing the poignant song "Another Suitcase in Another Hall," further solidified her place in the Broadway community.
Residing in Nashville, TN, Rachel remains focused on recording and writing music, as well as enjoying a successful career in real estate. Balancing her professional endeavors with her most important role as “mommy” to Jude, Elliot, and Myla, Rachel's passion for music and family shines through in all aspects of her life. Stay connected with Rachel on social media @therachelpotter.
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Yannis Papadopoulos: Beast In Black
Yannis Papadopoulos is the lead singer for heavy metal band, Beast in Black. The band's blend of power metal, 80s pop, and electronic music, as well as their energetic live performances, have made them pioneers of their genre. Beast in Black's current lineup further consists of founding member and primary songwriter Anton Kabanen, guitarist Kasperi Heikkinen, bassist Mate Molnar, and drummer Atte Palokangas. Please welcome Yannis Papadopoulos.
Hi everyone, and welcome to Vocal Arts, the podcast that explores the world of professional voice artists. My name is Peter Barber, and I’ll be your guide along this path of vocal performance. I’m primarily a professional opera singer, music producer, and bass vocalist. Over the course of my career, I’ve trained and performed with world-class singers. I’ve learned all about the physiology and function of the human voice from leading voice scientists. I started a successful group of four bass singers called The Bass Gang, and I’ve grown my YouTube audience from 0 to over 250,000 subscribers via musical analysis videos. Beyond that, I currently sing opera professionally as a Studio Artist with Arizona Opera. I’ve performed in basically every genre from EDM to chamber choir, and with an undergrad major in audio engineering, I can comfortably bridge the gap between live performance and studio recordings, from the grandiose space of a 3000-seat opera house to the intimate, sound-proof booths used in voiceover. But perhaps most importantly, I’m an artist, fascinated by the various careers in vocal performance, and inspired to learn more about them from the best and brightest vocal talent the world has to offer. Thank you so much for joining me on this journey, and no matter what your involvement is within the world of vocal arts, I hope that here, on this podcast, you can both learn something and enjoy. This is Peter Barber, and I’ll see you next time on Vocal Arts.
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