Husky Rescue

Husky Rescue is a Finnish dream pop and indie pop group from Finland, formed in 2002 in Helsinki. The project is led by Marko Nyberg, who works as a multi-instrumentalist and producer, and the line-up includes Reeta Vestman, Miika Colliander, Maria Ilmoniemi, Ville Riippa and Anssi Sopanen. Over time, the group develops from an early collaborative project involving a large circle of musician friends into a more defined band with a distinctive sound.

Career and recordings

The band releases three full-length albums between 2004 and 2010, along with a remixes and rarities compilation, singles and EPs. Its debut album, Country Falls, appears in 2004 and is followed by Ghost Is Not Real in 2007 and Ship of Light in 2010. The music combines elements of alt. country, depressive disco, pop and cinematic arrangement, with lyrics often centred on love and melancholy. Over the course of these releases, the production becomes more orchestrated while keeping a controlled and carefully arranged feel.

Line-up changes and later direction

After the Ship of Light tour, the group enters a new phase. Reeta Vestman studies musical theatre in London, and Nyberg responds by simplifying the project and moving it towards a more intimate, bright and natural direction. A new line-up forms around Swedish vocalist Johanna Kalén and English musician Antony Bentley, and the group records new material in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, in the studio of a vintage keyboard collector. The songs are shaped with this stripped-back approach and a changed musical direction.

Live work and visual identity

Husky Rescue performs at major festivals including Lollapalooza, Glastonbury, Austin City Limits and Flow Festival in Helsinki. The group tours widely in the UK and Europe and also plays selected shows in North America. Its visual identity is shaped by digital illustrator Kustaa Saksi, whose artwork accompanies the project from the beginning and uses a detailed but minimal style.

Reception

The band’s albums receive positive reviews from publications including Pitchfork, Tiny Mix Tapes, AllMusic, Q, Uncut, NME, The Times, The Guardian, the Daily Telegraph, Mojo, Artrocker, Clash, the Sunday Times and musicOMH.