Member in bands
AKI VIRTANEN IS FORMER MEMBER IN
| Name | Instrument | Member from |
|---|---|---|
| Kotiteollisuus | Guitars | - |
Biography
Aki Pekka Virtanen (born 1969 in Valkeakoski, Finland) is a guitarist-composer and founder of the independent alternative metal band Soul Corner, which published its first album Twilight Report in 2006 and completed recordings for the second album Partners in Crime in 2007. Aki Virtanen has lived since 2004 in the largest European capital Istanbul where he has set up a home studio, which has been also used by several Turkish artists.
Aki Virtanen played the lead guitar in Kotiteollisuus 1994-1997. He was recruited for the band to "bring professional talent", but he left the band in 1997, because of musical disagreements with the other band members. Virtanen favored more complex compositions and alternative and progressive heavy rock, whereas the other members preferred a more "straightforward" approach including catchy and radio-friendly choruses. However, it was Aki Virtanen who first introduced the heavier and more massive sound to the band, which is first evident on a single "Kuulohavaintoja". Aki Virtanen had left the band before "Eevan Perintö" album, but he had composed several songs of the album together with the band members, and he had participated in some of the demo recordings for the album.
After Kotiteollisuus Virtanen founded a rock band Nanaimo Bars, which had a Canadian female vocalist and originally Ari Toikka (ex-Horsepower, ex-Bomfunk MC's, ex-Popeda, current member of Yö) on drums. The band gained minor attention in Finland and abroad after signing a recording contract with Megamania, but split after their first single "Double Dare" (1998).
Besides of metal music and rock Aki Virtanen is also known as blues and flamenco/folk guitarist and he has recorded and performed with different European and American musicians, especially after he moved to Istanbul.
Aki Virtanen has composed and written lyrics for over 300 songs including heavy metal, rock, blues, jazz, folk, and flamenco, though most of the songs are based on rock music. Few of the compositions are instrumentals.
Besides of being a musician, Aki Virtanen holds a PhD in educational sciences and he has worked and lectured at 10 universities, colleges and adult education institutions in three different countries. He has also worked as a project director for an international consulting company.
