On Friday, September 18th, the audience gathered at Krapin Paja in Tuusula witnessed a performance by Mariska in an evening where the boundaries between performing and storytelling blurred. The concert, titled Laulan, kirjoitan, highlighted Mariska's long career, but especially emphasized her contribution through songs written for other artists’ repertoires.
At the heart of the evening was Mariska's respected yet often less visible role as a songwriter within the Finnish pop and rock scene. Many of the songs received new arrangements created specifically for this concert, offering the audience a chance to hear familiar melodies in a fresh way. The atmospheric setting of Krapin Paja created an ideal environment for this intimate and contemplative program.
Between the performances, Mariska read excerpts from her own diary, providing a candid and open look into her creative process. These stories revealed sources of inspiration, moments, and emotions that have influenced the creation of each song. Throughout the night, many songs previously heard performed by others gained meaningful background and new nuances interpreted directly by their creator.
The concert began with a selection of songs combining both familiar and surprising choices. The setlist included “Tarkasta tämä,” “Liikkumain,” “Suurempaa,” and “Murha.” One of the evening’s highlights was “En haluu kuolla tänä yönä,” widely known from Jenni Vartiainen’s interpretation, but now given a new emphasis and greater narrative depth in Mariska’s version. Also “Minä vaan,” familiar from Pate Mustajärvi, was performed and brought out Mariska’s strong influence in the Finnish music scene.
Mariska’s own production also received deserved attention. As her own works, the songs “Suloinen myrkyn keittäjä,” “Liekki,” and “Hautaa mut” were performed. Through these songs, Mariska’s ability to naturally move between her own artistry and work done for others was emphasized.
The second half of the concert further broadened the musical landscape. “Isä oli kulkumies,” the Finnish version of the classic “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” demonstrated Mariska’s skill as an arranger and her ability to bring traditions to a new audience. Other songs familiar to Finns included “Junat ja naiset,” “Enkeleitä vai petoja,” and the beloved “Mestaripiirros”—all known from other performers, but on this night united by one pen.
One particularly memorable moment came when Mariska performed “Tavastia palamaan,” written for Stam1na. This song featured heavier musical elements that brought new energy and varied tone to the concert.
Towards the end, a new song “Ra ra ra” and an impressive interpretation of “Kukkurukuu” were heard. At this point, the program intertwined in such a way that the line between her own works and songs written for others joyfully blurred.
The uniqueness of the evening came from its storytelling. Through diary excerpts, Mariska brought depth and context to the songs, inviting listeners into the heart of the creative process and personal experiences. This approach made each performance not only an independent work but also a living document of lived life and experienced moments.
The concert was not a conventional parade of hits, but Laulan, kirjoitan formed a unique profile of Mariska as a songwriter and opened a beautiful retrospective on her career spanning over two decades. The clear line between artist and songwriter became blurred, and Mariska’s imprint on Finnish music emerged in bright detail as songs typically heard in others’ voices returned for one night to their creator’s interpretation.
At the end of the evening, Mariska announced plans for a "vol. 2" production, meaning her extensive songwriting work will continue on stage as well. This promise underlines not only the breadth of her compositions but also the narrative importance of songwriters in our time.
