Steve Solkela
Steve Solkela’s “Overpopulated” One-man Band – “She Taught Me How to Yodel”
Steve Solkela covers “She Taught Me How to Yodel” — a hit song for Frank Ifield in the 1960s — during a performance at the TapRoom in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Hauliwood Dreams – “Helan Går: It All Goes Down”
The latest from the Finnish-American novelty band Hauliwood Dreams is a traditional Swedish drinking song turned into a Nordic celebration of tradition with a Finnish-American twist. The group features Duluth’s Steve Solkela partnering with Miska Kajanus and led by Maria Voltaine, who wrote the song lyrics and music and produced the video.
Steve Solkela’s “Overpopulated” One-man Band – “When the Cactus is in Bloom”
Steve Solkela challenges viewers to count the instruments as he sings the 1931 country-western song “When the Cactus is in Bloom,” written and originally performed by Jimmie Rodgers.
Berzerk Blawndz – “Santa is Injured”
Berzerk Blawndz released a new Christmas album, Go Berserk This Christmas!, in early December. The post-Christmas release of the music video for “Santa is Injured” tells the story of how St. Nick was unable to deliver presents this year, so the band did the job using Steve Solkela’s minivan.
Hauliwood Dreams – “Finns in America”
Duluth’s Steve Solkela partners with Maria Voltaine, Miska Kajanus and Jaakko Manninen to form the Finnish-American novelty band Hauliwood Dreams for this parody of Kim Wilde’s 1981 hit “Kids in America.” The “Finns in America” lyrics are by Voltaine.
Steve Solkela – “En Etsi Valtaa, Loistoa”
Steve Solkela performs the Christmas song “En Etsi Valtaa, Loistoa” or “I Seek Not Power, or Glory,” composed by Jean Sibelius. He dedicates the song to the recently departed Rev. Martti Hyhkö of Ontario, Canada. (more…)
Steve’s Solkela – “Finns Go Marching In”
Steve Solkela and his friends sing this “ode to all the Finnish-American pockets” Solkela has traveled to.
Steve Solkela – “Riittääkö Sisu? (Gotta Have Sisu)”
The latest from Steve “Sisu” Solkela is an ode to tenacity, grit, resilience and old-fashioned stoicism and hardiness. The song is from the recently released album Jenkkihymy: Finnish Fun with Steve Solkela.
Steve Solkela & Party Marty – “Carol of the Bells”
Accordionist Steve Solkela performs the popular Christmas song “Carol of the Bells” with Party Marty working the guitar and wine glasses.
Video: Steve Solkela in the Superior Spooktacular Parade
Superior Porchfest took part in the 10th annual Superior Spooktacular Parade on Saturday, represented by musician Steve Solkela. The video was made by Bret Holland.
Steve Solkela – “Son imbrogliato io gia”
Steve Solkela performs his favorite aria in this promo video for the intermezzo opera La Serva Padrona, which runs Sept. 11-12 at the Lyric Center in Virginia and Sept. 13-15 at the Douglas County Historical Society in Superior. (more…)
Postcards: Steve Solkela
Steve Solkela is a comedian, and the only member of his one-man band, which includes accordion and cymbals among other instruments. Solkela finds joy in his music and his heritage, showcasing his talent and sense of humor to audiences all over the world.
This video is a segment from the southwestern Minnesota Pioneer PBS series Postcards. The May 2 episode focused on Finnish musician and artists. The Solkela segment is edited by Mike Scholtz.
Steve Solkela – “If Heaven Don’t Have Saunas, I Don’t Wanna Go!”
Duluth’s Steve Solkela is back from touring Finland and has a new music video for one of the first songs he wrote back in his high school days.
Steve Solkela plays “Ievan Polkka” while unicycling
Local accordion sensation/goofball Steve Solkela is playing Minnesota gigs almost daily in December before his tour of Finland in January. (more…)
Accordion on a Unicycle with Steve Solkela
Steve Solkela performs Wild Cherry’s hit song “Play that Funky Music” on accordion while riding a unicycle … because he’s Steve Solkela.
Berserk Blondes! – “Hips Don’t Lie”
Live at Bent Paddle Brewing during the 2023 Homegrown Music Festival, Steve Solkela and Kaylee Matuszak perform their take on the 2006 hit song “Hips Don’t Lie,” written and originally performed by Shakira and Wyclef Jean.
Steve Solkela’s “Overpopulated” One-man Band – “She Broke My Heart in Three Places”
The latest video from Steve Solkela is a one-man performance of a song originally released by the Hoosier Hot Shots. The song was written in 1944 by Al Hoffman, Jerry Livingston and Milton Drake.
Steve Solkela – “Up on da Range”
Steve Solkela keeps the hits coming. Here’s a prime cut from his recent album release Sauna Knight, available on Spotify, Apple Music, etc. (more…)
How to Slice Watermelon
Apparently there is a watermelon surplus on Minnesota’s Iron Range. In this video, Steve Solkela and friends have some fun with the sweet fruit of summer.
Steve Solkela’s “Overpopulated” One-man Band – “The Ely Song”
From 94.5 FM WELY radio in Ely.
Iron Opera
The annual Northern Lights Music Festival on Minnesota’s Iron Range is a three-week event that includes an opera production. Documentary directors Mike Scholtz and Marius Anderson captured the process and stories leading up to the 2021 festival for the WDSE-TV feature embedded above. Iron Opera is the story of concert pianist Veda Zuponcic and a cast of talent plucked around the world and around da Range.
Accordion Steve rocks!
Went to the Julebyen Christmas Village in Knife River via a great train ride last Saturday and was enthralled with all things Scandinavian; the high spot was a talented funny Finn from Da Rengch named Steve Solkela —— from singing opera to “Play That Funky Music” he has it all covered. And did I say funny? Writes his own songs about Palo and saunas and, let’s face it, all the good things in life. Go see this guy and you’ll be smiling and clapping within two minutes!
Steve’s Overpopulated One-man Band – “Ranger Things”
Straight from the Iron Range comes this Halloween medley by Steve Solkela. The music was recorded at Kaleva Hall in Virginia. The medley includes: “Ranger Things Parody,” “Ghost of John,” “Play that Scary Music Bite Boy,” “Pass the Witch’s Broomstick” and “Zombie Taylor Swift.”
Steve Solkela’s Accordion 5k World Record Attempt
Iron Ranger Steve Solkela ran 5 kilometers through the streets of Virginia while playing an accordion. His finishing time was 34 minutes and 34.91 seconds, which is presumably a record — there seems to be no previous attempts at this stunt.
Video by Nathan Wangensteen.
Steve’s Overpopulated One-Man Band – “Oatmeal Raisin”
Just in time for prom season, Steve Solkela and his Iron Range friends have a new music video for those left feeling alone on the shelf, like an oatmeal raisin cookie. Hey, sometimes the healthiest option gets picked last.