Internationally acclaimed guitarist and singer-songwriter Erja Lyytinen is preparing to release her fourth live album Diamonds On The Road – Live 2023.
Whilst the anticipation builds for both the artist’s new live album and her imminent UK return, the Queen of the Slide Guitar has been keeping herself busy. “I know for sure we have a hundred confirmed shows for this year. So that’s a lot of shows, and there’s still five months to go. I know there’s going to be more dates added to the touring calendar,” confirms Erja.
With such a hectic start to the year, the Finnish guitarist feels that there has been a return to some semblance of normality within the live music scene. “We did a long tour in Finland in March, and it was good to have a proper tour with an audience and without any restrictions. You can see that people are back to normal, so to speak. They are enjoying the vibe of the show together with everybody else in the audience,” she says. “We went to Canada and played some festivals there, and that was wonderful. Then we had the honour of playing on the main stage at the biggest festival here in Finland called Pori Jazz. Following me on the bill was Tom Jones. So that was great, and we enjoyed it very much. That’s the top show you can get in Finland unless you start playing arenas; that’s a different thing. So, it’s been a nice half a year.”
Canada is fast becoming an important market for the High-Flying Finn. “We’ve played there a few times now. So, people are starting to catch us. You do get some messages online asking – when are you coming back to Canada, and it was great to see you there,” explains Erja.
Erja will be joining an incredible line-up for HRH Blues 8 in April 2024, and YOU could be heading there by entering our online competition to win up to 6 weekend passes! Click here to enter or click the poster below.
For those who have yet to have the pleasure of catching Erja Lyytinen in concert, the award-winning guitarist is about to release her brand-new live album. The release which is called Diamonds On The Road – Live 2023, was recorded on tour in Finland earlier this year. But what is it about the concert album format that resonates with the gifted performer? “When you have a new studio album, you start to play those songs live. They start to live a life of their own on stage. You bring something new when you play the songs repeatedly,” explains Erja. “We recorded the live album in March 2023, and the studio album came out in October 2022. We had been playing those songs for a few months, and I thought it was just good timing to record the songs, as they would still be fresh but with a different vibe and energy.”
A few years back, Erja Lyytinen recorded a concert album under very different circumstances – that being Lockdown Live 2020. A live album that was recorded amid the pandemic, where artists performed in front of their fans via live streams. Thankfully this time around, Erja was able to record her new live album in front of an actual audience. “I could tell that people are so much more into live music again, and they’re so free and open with everything. So, I could see that it was a great time to record a live album,” says Erja. “We can freely do what we love and enjoy playing together. So, it’s like a celebration of freedom in some way.”
The first single to be released from Diamonds On The Road – Live 2023 is You Talk Dirty. “It’s a different song from all the other songs in some way. I had a Black Sabbath War Pigs vibe going on in my mind when I was arranging that song. It’s a strong song and good fun to play,” explains Erja. “Towards the end, we have this double tempo in there. It’s a rocking song, and we play that one loud each night on stage. I love it, and it seems like people always enjoy that song.”
The album features an incredible cover of Crosstown Traffic by Jimi Hendrix, where Erja puts her stamp on the timeless number. But out of all the songs in the Hendrix repertoire, what was it about that track that made Erja want to cover it for the album? “It’s a nice up-tempo track first, and there are not so many covers of that song. I’d been playing this song for a few years already. We’ve been playing it now and again. And now we’ve added this one to this year’s live set,” says Erja. “It was fascinating to play these guitar parts that are being played by Jimi Hendrix, but I’m using a slide. So, it was rearranging the song and what he’s doing there. Of course, we added our own touch to it and so on. It’s a very nice live track as well. And on the live recording, it’s our first encore.”
Speaking about the late great guitar icon, Erja adds: “It’s like Hendrix has his unique style. It’s hard to copy him. That’s why it’s easier to play the solo with a slide. So it will sound different. But I like Jimi Hendrix, and I do listen to his albums when I’m at home quite often. Yesterday I was playing at this festival, and I had a chance to jam with an old rock band. So, we played play Little Wing and Fire by Jimi Hendrix. Both great songs, and it was lovely.”
Erja Lyytinen is preparing to return to the UK in November for her first UK headline shows since the pandemic. “I am so thrilled to come back to see you guys. I’ve been waiting a long time now. I think it’s four and a half years since the last time I set foot on the British Isles. I’m missing my friends and fans there,” declares Erja.
As part of her upcoming touring plans, Erja Lyytinen will be headlining HRH Blues in 2024. This is a festival that the Finnish guitarist has played several times prior. “I loved playing at HRH Blues. I’ve played there a couple of times, and the crowd has been just amazing. There are thousands of people who love rock, blues, and progressive rock/blues. So that’s my spot. It feels great. It’s a good stage. And it’s a very good atmosphere,” she says. “I’m looking forward to coming back to Sheffield and rocking this festival as well.”
Diamonds On The Road – Live 2023, the new concert album from Erja Lyytinen, will be released via Tuohi Records on October 6th. Erja will be touring throughout the UK in November ‘2023 as well as headlining HRH Blues in Sheffield in 2024. For ticket information and further details, please visit https://erjalyytinen.com/.
Interview by Adam Kennedy
