With Miska

Tomi Tajakka / Remmel!

I interviewed Tomi/Remmel last time almost ten years ago. He has been doing very well. His band Steve 'n' Seagulls is doing great, and they have been touring the world for years.

Tomi’s With Miska episode can also be found on YouTube channel With Miska Podcast Episodes:

https://youtu.be/deCh4IM44Dk?si=NuUEMkwtF4L_ai5V

I wanted to catch up with Tomi, and I wanted to ask him about his newly released solo album Little Western Songs From The North by Remmel & Rattlesnakes. Tomi also shares about touring with Steve 'n' Seagulls, and much more.

I have known Tomi for almost 40 years, since we both are from the same small town in Finland, Iisalmi. What a wonderful and sweet talk this is. Life goes on, and we keep on grinding.

An excellent talk!

Tomi's links:

Remmel & Rattlesnakes
SPOTIFY

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3U2pN239lrjVgzFQruIVz2?si=0_e_YPU4SsWnjJIj3ts0OQ

INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/remmelandrattlesnakes/

YOUTUBE

https://www.youtube.com/@RemmelAndRattlesnakes

Steve 'n' Seagulls

SPOTIFY

https://open.spotify.com/artist/77A9XsX4SDJlhB23yyUwQt?si=wkbdIzUhSxO0BgtL5qdU6g

INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/stevenseagullsband/

YOUTUBE

https://youtube.com/@steveseagulls?si=0xaeoJDEqqYxK0pk

Enjoy!

Or buy my shirt if you want to be cool:
https://with-miska.myspreadshop.com/

Sara Dolores!

In this wonderful quick episode that we recorded in my car, Finnish-American singer-songwriter Sara Dolores tells about her life, and how she's making it happen in Los Angeles.

Sara’s With Miska episode can also be found on YouTube channel With Miska Podcast Episodes:

https://youtu.be/RwqcxqI7m78

Sara's background is very interesting, since she was born in the US, but raised in Finland. Now she's been back in LA for some years, and she's creating an artist life for herself.

We go deep into her musical style, independent artist life, social media, and she also gives me advice on how it's important for an artist to have a clear identity online. And we talk about much more!

A great talk!

This podcast is supported by Finlandia Foundation National.

Sara's links:

SPOTIFY
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3atvHy6TZeOFjrKRAGBsko?si=rXKn3z4nTk61sx8tSz6HUA

INSTAGRAM
https://www.instagram.com/mssaradolores/

Enjoy!

Or buy my shirt if you want to be cool:
https://with-miska.myspreadshop.com/

A Quick solo episode!
February 17th, 2026 update from LA.

This With Miska episode can also be found on YouTube channel With Miska Podcast Episodes:

https://youtu.be/bl_eYSCHvI8

In this walking-in-the-rain episode from Los Angeles, I talk about: 

-Trying to book 10 gigs in Finland for July 

-DoorDash reality vs. financial goals 

-Snow plans at Mount Baldy and more!

Buy my shirt if you want to be cool:

https://with-miska.myspreadshop.com/

Our Thanksgiving Song with Selma Seppänen:

https://youtube.com/shorts/bO5oIg9u4dQ?feature=share

Our Beer Video: 

https://youtube.com/shorts/TP-wKgmbSos?feature=share

Other links:

https://www.instagram.com/stevesolkela/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/hauliwood_dreams/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/highvoltaine/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/beatsandstylesmusic/?hl=en

https://finlandiafoundation.org/

Enjoy!

Steve Solkela! 

In this raw 3am late night discussion Minnesota musician, comedian, accordionist, unicyclist and opera creator Steve Solkela opens up about his life and shares his thoughts on artist life, God, making it happen and working hard. 

Steve’s With Miska episode can also be found on YouTube channel With Miska Podcast Episodes:

https://youtu.be/SGQwTYmCY4s

Steve is also a member of our Hauliwood Dreams band! 

An intense talk! 

This podcast is supported by Finlandia Foundation National.

Steve's links: 

https://www.youtube.com/c/stevesolkela

https://www.facebook.com/SteveSolkela/ 

https://www.instagram.com/stevesolkela/ 

https://www.tiktok.com/@stevesolkela 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ezC9l9RWL3HUoJwmFLt2x?si=Pp4ltfMGTDmq0L6m5KvXIA 

Hauliwood Dreams YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC763f6KqZSj6nktRdWPtHxw

https://www.instagram.com/hauliwood_dreams/ 

https://www.hauliwood.com/ 

https://finlandiafoundation.org/

Or buy my shirt if you want to be cool: 

https://with-miska.myspreadshop.com/ 

Enjoy!

A Quick solo episode!
February 11th, 2026 update from LA.

Just got back from Minnesota with our Hauliwood Dreams band. 

This With Miska episode can also be found on YouTube channel With Miska Podcast Episodes:

https://youtu.be/CBjvCANeWvg

In this episode I break down: 

-What it really costs to live as an artist in Los Angeles

-Why some shows make financial sense and others don’t

-The math behind ticket sales 

-Merch strategy

-Expanding beyond the Finnish-American niche audience

And our tour in Finland this July. 

Grateful for Minnesota. Grateful for everyone who hosted us. 

Buy my shirt if you want to be cool:

https://with-miska.myspreadshop.com/

---

https://www.instagram.com/stevesolkela/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/hauliwood_dreams/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/highvoltaine/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/beatsandstylesmusic/?hl=en

Enjoy!

A Quick solo episode!
December 8th, 2025 update from LA.

Quick update from LA after a busy trip to Seattle. Performed, taught, worked… and dealt with some car issues once I got back. Also preparing for shows in Finland and Estonia in early January. Thanks to everyone in Seattle for the warm welcome.

https://www.finlandiafoundationseattle.com/

https://highlinemuseum.org/

https://finlandiafoundation.org/

This With Miska episode can also be found on YouTube channel With Miska Podcast Episodes:

https://youtu.be/aMq_SUAxc-M

Buy my shirt if you want to be cool:

https://with-miska.myspreadshop.com/

Enjoy!

A Quick solo episode!
November 17th, 2025 update from LA.

Rainy Monday walk update from Los Angeles. 

Talking about January travel to Finland, possible shows in Helsinki + Estonia, my one-man comedic monologue My Immigrant Story, podcast guests, YouTube growth and more!

This With Miska episode can also be found on YouTube channel With Miska Podcast Episodes:

https://youtu.be/Df1QT4qI5_c

Buy my shirt if you want to be cool:

https://with-miska.myspreadshop.com/

Links:

Ross Cameron

https://www.youtube.com/@DaytradeWarrior

Finlandia Foundation National

https://finlandiafoundation.org/

Enjoy!

A Quick solo episode!
November 10th, 2025 update from LA.

Straight from my walk!

In this one I talk about planning My Immigrant Story comedy monologue tour in Finland & Estonia (January and July 2026) and much more! 

This With Miska episode can also be found on YouTube channel With Miska Podcast Episodes:

https://youtu.be/NqGdo8E-NG8

Buy my shirt if you want to be cool:

https://with-miska.myspreadshop.com/

Links:

Joonas Makkonen

https://www.instagram.com/itsmejoonasm/?hl=en

Mikko Kierikki

https://www.instagram.com/kierikki/?hl=en

Ross Cameron

https://www.youtube.com/@DaytradeWarrior

Finlandia Foundation National

https://finlandiafoundation.org/

Enjoy!

A quick solo episode!
November 3rd, 2025 update from LA.

A self-tape, some trading, thoughts on projects, time, and living in Los Angeles.

This With Miska episode can also be found on YouTube channel With Miska Podcast Episodes and More:

https://youtu.be/-t94RtcO7fg

Buy my shirt if you want to be cool:

https://with-miska.myspreadshop.com/

Links:

Joonas Makkonen

https://www.instagram.com/itsmejoonasm/?hl=en

Mikko Kierikki

https://www.instagram.com/kierikki/?hl=en

Ross Cameron

https://www.youtube.com/@DaytradeWarrior

Enjoy!

Quick solo episode!
October 27th, 2025 update from LA.

PopMix Movie, doing self-tapes, early mornings, no big news. Maybe shows in Finland next year.

This With Miska episode can also be found on YouTube channel With Miska Podcast Episodes:

https://youtu.be/J3H_05RFgcc

Buy my shirt:

https://with-miska.myspreadshop.com/

Links:

Joonas Makkonen

https://www.instagram.com/itsmejoonasm/?hl=en

Mikko Kierikki

https://www.instagram.com/kierikki/?hl=en

Finlandia Foundation National

https://finlandiafoundation.org/

Enjoy!