Interview with HOKKA (2/2)

HOKKA create rousing modern rock from Finland. The first album by former Blind Channel singer Joel Hokka is entitled “Via Miseria IV”. Read the second part of our interview here. – Missed part one? No problem, you can read it here .

Songs like open wounds

The opener “Blackbird” already makes a clear statement. The song acts as an “opening ceremony for the whole world”, as Hokka says. Trauma, anger and the unconditional will to carry on are condensed here. “I poured my traumas and deep emotions into the lyrics.” The central statement is particularly succinct: “No one is coming to save you.” This sentence is more than just a line – it is the foundation of the entire album. Hokka describes it as a reflection of his own experiences: “I had to save myself.” “In The Darkness” takes this idea a step further. The song delves deep into mental abysses and remains uncompromisingly honest. “It’s autobiographical in every respect,” says Hokka. Darkness is not only staged as a threat here, it is also portrayed as a place of calm. “I’m not afraid of the dark, I feel calm in it.” This change of perspective lends the track a special intensity. With “Heart Said No”, the focus shifts to interpersonal themes. Fear of closeness, emotional wounds and an omnipresent melancholy characterize the song. “Melancholy is my home,” explains Hokka. This statement acts as a key to understanding the entire album. It’s not about overcoming this state, it’s time to accept it. At the same time, there is a quiet tragedy in this piece that shows how difficult it is to leave familiar patterns behind.

Identity that has become sound

In addition to Hokka and Rantasalmi, Finnish drummer Jimi Aslak also makes a decisive contribution to the overall picture. “He’s pure gold,” is how Joel describes the young musician. His energy gives the songs an additional layer that oscillates between controlled aggression and precise dynamics. The rhythmic structures in particular show how important his influence is for the overall effect and what a great talent he has. Musically, HOKKA move in the tradition of Finnish rock music without allowing themselves to be restricted by it. “No pressure, just inspiration,” emphasizes Hokka. This attitude is the result of previous experiences that have pushed him to his limits. Instead of fulfilling expectations, it is now about remaining authentic. The songs carry this attitude within them. They are not designed to please, they want to work. Every passage, every turn of phrase seems to have arisen from an inner need. Especially in the quieter moments, an intensity unfolds that gives the harder passages their power. This interplay ensures that the album reveals new details even after several listens.

Finnish melancholy and the pursuit of happiness

The emotional depth is closely linked to the band’s origins. “It’s this endless agony and melancholy with a touch of black humor,” says Hokka, describing what is typically Finnish about his music. This mixture of heaviness and irony runs like a red thread through the entire album. This makes the fact that Finland has been considered one of the happiest countries in the world for years all the more contradictory. Joel himself is skeptical about this assessment: “I have the feeling that people outside this country are much happier than we are.” His own assessment is “66 to 69”. A number that seems neither euphoric nor resigned. Rather, it describes a state in between – a process that is not yet complete. “I’m trying to reach 99,” says Hokka. What is missing is clear to him: “Peace of mind.” This desire runs subliminally through the entire album and gives it an additional emotional dimension. It is not just a stocktaking, but also a search for a state that may never be fully achieved.

A beginning in the shadows

HOKKA is more than a side project or a new beginning in the traditional sense. It is an attempt to redefine itself – beyond expectations and old structures. “Via Miseria IV” does not tell a simple story of healing. It documents a state of transition in which pain and hope exist simultaneously. The strength of the album lies precisely in this openness. It does not force itself into clear answers, it allows questions. It shows that growth is not straightforward, but is often characterized by doubt and setbacks. At the same time, this uncertainty gives rise to a special form of honesty that is evident in every moment. Or, as Hokka himself puts it: “I am a prisoner of my own story, but I try to get better every day.”

Jan Schütz (Meersein)

Line-up:
Joel Hokka – vocals, songwriting, production
Pauli Rantasalmi – guitar, songwriting, production
Jimi Aslak – drums

You can find out more in our May/June issue:

HOKKA – Tour dates:
May 07, 2026 FI-Helsinki, Tavastia
June 12. June 2026 FI-Lahti, Kesä-Mössö
June 27, 2026 FI-Helsinki, Tuska
July 03, 2026 FI-Turku, Ruisrock
July 17-19, 2026 FI-Joensuu, Ilosaarirock
23-25. July 2026 FI-Kuopio, Kuopiorock
July 25, 2026 FI-Oulu, Qstock
July 31/August 1, 2026 FI-Pori, Porisphere
August 14-16, 2026 CH-Cudrefin, Rock the Lakes

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Listen to HOKKA in our “Current Issue” playlist on Spotify: