NEWS
(scroll down)
OCTOBER 2024
My book Lost Songs of the Suomi Synod gets a shout-out on the Luumu Finnish Living blog, in advance of the Festival of Finnish Hymns on October 20. I’m excited to play a few songs at this event. Nordic culture is happening in the Twin Cities!
SEPTEMBER 2024
The 30th anniversary celebration of my 1994 album WHEREVER continues! Here’s a never-before-seen concert video from 1994 of the song “No More Walls” from the album. Visit the streaming services to check out the reissued album Wherever: 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, and purchase the limited edition hand-numbered CD reissue at my BandCamp page!
Come see me on tour in Washington State!
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 7PM
First Lutheran Church
Bothell, WA (Seattle area)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 7PM
Naselle Lutheran Church
Naselle, WA
SEPTEMBER 15-21, 2024
Holden Village: Fall Sojourn
Chelan, WA
Jonathan is Village Musician for the week
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2024, 7PM
Grace Lutheran Church
Wenatchee. WA
AUGUST 2024
I’ve got concerts from coast-to-coast in the forthcoming months! Details at my DATES page…
JUNE 2024
I’m very excited to make this surprise announcement:
The 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of my album Wherever is now available on all music streaming services! The original 16-song album, released in 1994, has been remixed, resequenced, remastered, and reimagined along with TEN previously unreleased bonus tracks!
ALSO: I have released a hand-numbered limited-edition CD pressing of the Deluxe Edition of the album, as well as cassette tapes of the original 1994 mix, AND new 30th anniversary Salt Lady Records t-shirts!
ALSO: I have released a hand-numbered limited-edition CD pressing of the Deluxe Edition of the album, as well as cassette tapes of the original 1994 mix, AND new 30th anniversary Salt Lady Records t-shirts!
Listen on Apple Music:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/wherever-30th-anniversary-deluxe-edition/1748630443
Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/0cbRR6zLXvrYryu7Ircwvr?si=34P9MYrKTVagUygrmtMa5Q
Listen on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lLRGO9xf_yxF7thmQpni_N9BOeqzQuWW0&si=ZeXrZHJ_G387tPyj
Pay-what-you-can to download at BandCamp, AND mail order limited-edition CD reissue (free vintage cassette tape included in every order!).
https://jonathanrundman.bandcamp.com/album/wherever-30th-anniversary-deluxe-edition
The original album Wherever (released in 1994 on compact disc and cassette) has been out-of-print since the late-’90s, and it has never been available for downloading, so nobody has been able to hear this album for over two decades. I’m happy to have the opportunity to share these songs from when I was a 23-year-old upstart.
Thanks to everybody for supporting me and Salt Lady Records for the past thirty years!
Salt Lady Records
t-shirts are back!
Thirty years ago my cousin Bruce Rundman and I started our own record company, and these Salt Lady Records t-shirts proliferated across the country. Now, in celebration of the label’s 30th anniversary, the shirts are available again for the first time in decades! High quality, super-soft shirts, available in S, L, XL, and XXL for $20 each plus shipping. PURCHASE AT BANDCAMP.
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Wherever album, here's a lyric video from the song "Ask Me In Nebraska" featuring never-before-seen footage of 1994!
MAY 2024
Exciting news: I will be the musician in residence at Holden Village for the Fall Sojourn week, September 15-20, 2024. Journey with me to this remote retreat center high in the mountains of Washington State! CLICK HERE for program info and registration details.
Join me for the Fall Sojourn week at Holden Village in Washington State, September 15-20, 2024.
My research is published!
Exciting news: my church music research has been published in an academic journal! The Spring 2024 issue of Word & World: Theology for Christian Ministry features my article “Martin Luther’s Hymns and the Church Music Repertoire of the Suomi Synod Tradition.”
APRIL 2024
I’ve added two more CHART PACKS to my PayHip sheet music download store. My songs “This Is My Commandment” and “The Serious Kind” are now available as piano scores, lead sheets, chord charts, lyric TXT files, and TIFF files for projection or printing. Download each CHART PACK for $10 at PayHip.
I’m teaching at a seminary…
…and you could join me! Spend a week with me at United Lutheran Seminary’s historic campus in Gettysburg, PA, August 11-16, 2024. I’ll be facilitating a Summer Institute class about church music. CLICK HERE for details.
OCTOBER 2023
Surprise! I’m thrilled to release a remix of my 1994 cover version of Madonna’s “Borderline!” This recording originally appeared on my 1994 album Wherever, which has been out of print since the ‘90s and has never been available online. This fresh remix is a preview of the Wherever album’s 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition reissue, which will be available in 2024.
Listen on BandCamp and/or download (pay whatever you can)
Listen on Apple Music
Listen on Spotify
I had a great week in Nashville attending the Convergence Music Project conference. Here’s me with the brilliant Ken Medema and Lowell Michelson playing my song “The Serious Kind” on its 20th anniversary!
Details at the DATES page.
SEPTEMBER 2023
I’m excited to play a Rundman family super show on Saturday, September 23, 9-11PM, at the Contented Cow Pub in Northfield, MN. On the bill with me will be Wintry Elementary (my son Paavo’s band), and my singer-songwriter daughter Svea!
Here’s a cool video from my Summer tour! This is a version of the brilliant song “Without Love” by one of my favorite songwriters Tonio K, performed by me with drummer Lowell Michelson, and special guest Martin Stillion on mandolin, at the Eco-Fair in Olympia, WA. Back in 1990 Lowell and I were on our very first trip to the Pacific Northwest with the West Coast Boys, and we played this song on that tour… it was so fun to bring it back after 33 years! Lowell and I will play again this Fall, on October 22 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in West Chester, OH. I think we should do this song again!
JULY 2023
I have new 11 x 17 posters for 2023! Visit my Photos and Posters page to download the JPGs.
This past year on tour I’ve been playing the Finnish folk song “Pium Paum” from 1885. Listen to my studio recording of the song on the streaming services, and read about the song in my book Lost Songs of the Suomi Synod.
APRIL 2023
I’m excited to be back on the road in Spring 2023! Visit my DATES page for venue links and additional info.
APRIL 16, 7PM: Clinton, WI - Jonathan solo
APRIL 23, 6:40PM: St. Paul, MN - with the Rundman Family Band
APRIL 30, 3PM: Stillwater, MN - with the Rundman Family Band, Richard Bruxvoort Colligan, Cathy Pino and more
MAY 10, 9PM: Northfield, MN - with The Silos
MAY 11: Arlington Heights, IL - with The Silos
MAY 12: Madison, WI - with The Silos
MAY 13: LaCrosse, WI - with The Silos
MAY 19: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA - with the Rundman Family Band
MAY 20: Glendale, CA - with the Rundman Family Band
MAY 21: Hawthorne, CA - with the Rundman Family Band
MAY 27: Thunder Bay, ON, CANADA - with the Rundman Family Band
FEBRUARY 2023
Yet another music video from the 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of the Recital album! Here’s “Worse for You”…
JANUARY 2023
BIG NEWS: I have released the 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of my album Recital! Download NOW on BandCamp, and add to your playlists on the streaming services:
Here are the official music videos for “Snare,” “Janesville,” and “Tell Me Where You Want To Go” from the album Recital: 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition.
Here’s the video trailer for the album:
OCTOBER 2022
I’m touring with
THE SILOS
I’m very excited to be hitting the road with The Silos on their Midwest tour celebrating the 35th anniversary of the legendary album Cuba! I’ll be playing keyboards in the band, and opening the show in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Northfield. Also joining bandleader Walter Salas-Humara will be long-time Silos drummer Konrad Meissner (who also played on my album Public Library) of New York, guitarist Eric Kassel of Minneapolis, and bassist Ron Gomez of Nashville.
DATES:
WED, NOV 2: Milwaukee
THU, NOV 3: Chicago
FRI, NOV 4: Minneapolis
SAT, NOV 5: Northfield
Congratulations to my wife Dr. Dawn Rundman on the release of her book Alphabet Adventure. Mailorder the book HERE!
read my interview at PopDose
Check out this interview I conducted with songwriters Marvin Etzioni and David Williams at the PopDose blog. We discuss their enduring folk/pop classic song “Can’t Cry Hard Enough.”
AUGUST 2022
I’m excited to release Volume 2 of the EP series Lost Songs of the Suomi Synod! Check out these five new recordings of songs from my Finnish Lutheran ethnomusicological research.
Available now at these online streaming platforms:
Here’s a lyric video for “A Priceless Treasure”
My ordination!
On Sunday, August 14th, I’ll be ordained as a Lutheran pastor, and will begin serving at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Prior Lake, MN.
Come over at Noon on that Sunday if you’d like to sing in the pick-up choir for the 2PM ordination!
I’m thrilled to have contributed to the new album FAMILY by The Silos! Here’s the new single “Colorado River” featuring me on acoustic piano, and video editing by my son Paavo.
JULY 2022
Our family had an amazing tour in Sweden and Finland! Now that we’re back in the USA, we’re looking forward to our upcoming concerts in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Yoopers, see you at these shows!
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 7PM
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
Hancock, MI
with Rundman Family Band, Bruce Rundman, Hannah Rundman, and more
SATURDAY, JULY 30, 7PM
Bethel Lutheran Church
Ishpeming, MI
with Rundman Family Band and friends
I graduated!
In June I graduated with a Masters of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Thanks everybody for the support and encouragement during all my reading, writing, and learning over these past four years.
Big news coming soon regarding the next phase of this vocational journey… stay tuned!
I’m on the new album by The Silos!
This past year it’s been a thrill for me to work with Walter Salas-Humara to record the new album by The Silos. I play keyboards and sing harmony on the album, co-wrote the song “Snow King,” and composed the string arrangement on the song “Love and Trust and Friends” featuring violins played by my children Paavo and Svea! The album, entitled Family, is out now and listenable on the streaming services.
new interview!
The July issue of Marquette Monthly magazine features a thorough interview with me regarding my Lost Songs of the Suomi Synod book and research project. Pick up the magazine in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, or read it online HERE.
MAY 2022
Big news! I’m very excited to announce that I have received a generous grant from Finlandia Foundation National to do a research trip in support of my book Lost Songs of the Suomi Synod. In June and July I’ll be traveling with my family to Sweden and Finland to explore the roots of this music, learn from folk musicians and historians, and connect to our family hometowns. Below is our schedule, and visit my DATES page to see where specific appearances and concerts develop!
Here’s a video preview of my Lost Songs of the Suomi Synod research tour… the song “Home Unknown” recorded live in Marquette, MI.
I’ve been thrilled to be a part of the recording and writing of the forthcoming album Family by The Silos, to be released on June 21! Here’s the first single from the album… the lyric video for “My Favorite Animal.” My son Paavo did the animation for the video! Listen for me on Hammond organ.
MARCH 2022
I’m celebrating the 30th Anniversary of my debut album, 28 Days in the Yellow Room! In observance of this milestone, I’m pleased to release the digital single AND music video for the song “When I Get Bored” which appeared on the original 1992 recording. Audio download is available at my BandCamp page:
Please add to your playlists on the streaming services!
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/when-i-get-bored-single/1609077629
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/15aMb8OLVKNDVnMP9WcRY2?si=c8dc78d26ca343a7
And check out this new 30th anniversary music video for “When I Get Bored” featuring previously unreleased studio footage from 1992!
Cassette and CD available!
My 1992 debut album 28 Days in the Yellow Room will NOT be available for download or streaming. However I have 10 copies of the original cassette tape, and 20 copies of the limited edition CD reissue (with bonus tracks).
Purchase the album on tape ($5) or CD ($5), plus shipping, at my BandCamp page HERE.
download sheet music!
New for 2022! I’ve updated the sheet music for my setting of A Heartland Liturgy, AND will be transcribing additional songs as well. For the first time, songs like “Calm The Storm” and “Row Out The Boat” are available as downloadable CHART PACKS including piano scores, lead sheets, guitar chords, lyric TXT files, and TIFF files of congregational melody lines for use in printed bulletins and projected slides. Visit my PAYHIP site for download links, and my Sheet Music and Copyright page for information on licensing.
FEBRUARY 2022
magazine interview!
Thanks to Edina Magazine for interviewing me regarding my new book Lost Songs of the Suomi Synod.
Read the article in the digital edition of the magazine HERE.
my music in a movie!
My song “Home Unknown” appears in the soundtrack of the documentary film The Humongous Fungus Among Us. The movie was recently aired on PBS TV in Michigan. Watch the movie’s Facebook page for upcoming screenings in theaters, festivals, and on Public Broadcasting!
DECEMBER 2021
Suomi Synod for Christmas!
ORDER the book at my BandCamp page.
$28 including shipping, USPS media mail in the US.
Orders include a download of the digital single “Paavo the Peasant,” a song from the book.
ORDER a five-book bundle at BandCamp, priced for value!
$106 including shipping, USPS media mail in the US.
Orders of the five-book bundle include a download of the five-song digital EP Vol. 1: Assembly featuring songs from the book.
Here’s the new lyric video from my new book LOST SONGS OF THE SUOMI SYNOD. This Swedish hymn from 1851 was a big hit among the Finnish immigrants in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Video shot at the Porcupine Mountains National Lakeshore.
OCTOBER 2021
FALL 2021 TOUR DATES!
I’m so excited to be back out on the road performing again! Come see me in Chicagoland, Minnesota, and the U.P.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 7:30PM
Hey Nonny
Arlington Heights, IL (Chicagoland)
with Walter Salas-Humara All-Star Band
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 6PM
The Music Space
Owatonna, MN
with Walter Salas-Humara Trio
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15th
”Where are you, Jay Bennett?” film screening and tribute concert
The Davis Theater
Chicago, IL
with Steve Dawson of Dolly Varden, Gerald Dowd, Steve Frisbie, and more
SEPTEMBER 2021
I’m thrilled to announce the release of my first book LOST SONGS OF THE SUOMI SYNOD. Watch the book release trailer below:
Buy my book!
Ten years in the making, this ethnomusicological memoir collects 28 songs from the Finnish-American Lutheran tradition. Notated and translated arrangements are included, along with historical and theological commentary.
I have unearthed obscure contributions from such luminaries as Elias Lönnrot (collector of the Kalevala), Finland’s national poet J. L. Runeberg, Jean Sibelius (composer of Finlandia), and Martin Luther. Some of these songs have not been heard or sung in North America for a century, and some have never before appeared in English.
ORDER the book at my BandCamp page.
$28 including shipping, USPS media mail in the US.
Orders include a download of the digital single “Paavo the Peasant,” a song from the book.
ORDER a five-book bundle at BandCamp, priced for value!
$106 including shipping, USPS media mail in the US.
Orders of the five-book bundle include a download of the five-song digital EP Vol. 1: Assembly featuring songs from the book.
In celebration of the release of LOST SONGS OF THE SUOMI SYNOD I will release an ongoing series of 5-song EPs featuring songs from the book. The first EP is Vol. 1: Assembly, and features the songs “You Chose from the Beginning,” “Holy Spirit, We Pray,” “Arise, My Soul, Arise,” “With God as Our Friend,” and “Home Unknown.” At my BandCamp page you can pay what you want to download the audio. Also, you can listen to the EP on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
The song “Arise, My Soul, Arise!” is found in the book and on the Vol. 1: Assembly digital EP. Here’s the lyric video:
Book Release concert!
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 7PM, FREE, ALL AGES
Lost Songs of the Suomi Synod
BOOK RELEASE concert and signing
Luther Seminary
2481 Como Ave, St. Paul, MN
Jonathan Rundman will perform with the Rundman Family Quartet and friends, LIVE on the steps of Bockman Hall at Luther Seminary. Outdoors, COVID-safe, and socially distanced. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket.
Celebrate with Jonathan the release of his first book, and experience Finnish music not heard in North America for a century!
AUGUST 2021
Listen to my new digital single “Paavo the Peasant,” a musical preview of my new collection Lost Songs Of The Suomi Synod to be released on September 7, 2021!
This is my musical setting of the legendary 1830 poem “Saarijärven Paavo” by Finland’s national poet J. L. Runeberg. It's the poem's first-ever English language musical arrangement, with a beautiful translation by Dr. Börje Vähämäki. Mark your calendar for September 7, the launch of Lost Songs Of The Suomi Synod, one of the most ambitious and significant releases of my music career.
“Paavo the Peasant” digital single available at these links:
BANDCAMP: Download for free or pay what you want!
JUNE 2021
Whoa, I’m back, vaxxed, and unmasked! I played my first public performance after TWO YEARS of hibernation! Here’s a video clip from the May 21st show with Walter Salas-Humara of The Silos at the Paradise Center for the Arts in Faribault, MN.
DECEMBER 2020
now on the streaming services!
My new recording “Lanka (The Thread)” is now available on the streaming services including:
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4HTgZdNnkvjbORS6ZokgSZ
Apple Music:
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jonathan-rundman/66485179
Please listen, add to playlists, and share on social media!
I’m in the hymnal!
This is a dream-come-true for me as a songwriter and composer: I have TWO songs included in the new Lutheran hymnal! Augsburg Fortress Publishers has released All Creation Sings, featuring my songs "For Such A Time As This" and "By Grace We Have Been Saved."
In celebration, I have released a new lyric video for "By Grace You Have Been Saved"... check it out on YouTube here:
Beki Hemingway has released her newest album Earth And Asphalt, arguably her finest work. I’m thrilled to have co-written with Beki the rocking opening song “Birmingham” which you can check out here. Buy the album and support independent artists!
OCTOBER 2020
Video Premiere!
Join me LIVE online for the world premiere of my new music video and digital single on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2020.
NOON (CDT) Facebook Premiere of music video at this link:
https://www.facebook.com/jonathanrundmanmusic/posts/10158983459781528
12:30PM (CDT) YouTube Premiere of music video at this link:
Here’s the digital single, downloadable at the Jonathan Rundman BandCamp page:
JUNE 2020
20th Anniversary!
June 28th will mark exactly 20 years since the debut of my double-album Sound Theology. I’ll be playing a special online Facebook Live concert on Sunday, June 28th, at 8PM Central Time.
Tune in, interact with me in the comment section, and help me celebrate this album that changed my life and career.
streaming playlists!
For the first time, I have created playlists introducing myself to the streaming music services.
Check out my personal favorites from across my career, as well as my collaborations with other artists like Walter Salas-Humara, Beki Hemingway, Jeff Krebs, and Bruce Rundman.
JANUARY 2020
#SoundTheology20
This year, 2020, I’m thrilled to be celebrating twenty years since the release of my breakthrough album Sound Theology! To commemorate this momentous occasion, I’ve released a 20th Anniversary Highlights reissue of the album on BandCamp, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, etc.
Search the socials for the hashtag #SoundTheology20 for the ongoing festivities!
This downloadable 20th Anniversary reissue of the album features 47 selections from the original 52-song double-CD, including gorgeously remixed versions of “Church Directory,” “Workin’ My Committee,” “Four Candles,” “Let Me Be Yours,” “Local Road,” “Find Your Way To Prague,” “Ashes,” “My Apology,” “Forgiveness Waltz,” “I Love You With All Of My Mind,” “Carol Of The Bells,” “Are You Speaking Through The Radio,” and “The Glasses Song.”
View the trailer for the album’s reissue on YouTube:
From the Sound Theology album, check out the official video for the song “You Don’t Speak For Me.”
THANKSGIVING 2019
Lost album appears!
My 2008 album Insomniaccomplishments is now appearing on the music streaming services for the first time, AND with three bonus tracks! Bonus tracks include acoustic demos of “If You Have A Question” and “New Eyes,” PLUS an alternate full-band studio version of “I Thought You Were Mine.”
Find it now on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and wherever else you listen to music. And please support me by PURCHASING the hand-numbered limited-edition album on CD from my BandCamp page! Also, please add your favorite songs to playlists, and share on social media!
As I prepare for the forthcoming 20th anniversary of my album Sound Theology, I’m inviting YOU to remix one of its songs! If you use GarageBand, ProTools, or any other digital audio editing/recording software, you may go to my SoundCloud page and download three stem WAV files (lead vocals, harmony vocals, acoustic guitar) and remix the song at 144bpm. Add a drum loop, play additional instruments, edit and manipulate the original tracks... be creative! Make it electronica, metal, noise sculpture, pitch-shifted, or whatever you want. Then, email your remix to me at [email protected] and I'll share your remix on social media. Thanks for helping me celebrate #SoundTheology20 !
I’m pleased to have provided piano and accordion on the song “Chateau Montelena” by California songwriter Dan Gannon! Dan’s new album Death Valley is available now via streaming, BandCamp, and even on vinyl! Check out the song below and listen for me.
I love to make guest appearances on albums for other songwriters and bands! If you’d like to hire me to play an instrument or sing a harmony part on your forthcoming album, email me at [email protected] and we can talk about it…
SUMMER 2019
Big thanks to Walter Salas-Humara for inviting me to perform on his midwest tour these past couple weeks! Whenever Walter calls I’ll be happy to emerge from showbiz-retirement. Here’s an audience video of my glorious MicroKorg keyboard from our show in Madison, WI:
SPRING 2019
MIDWEST TOUR
In May 2019 I’ll be coming out of retirement for a series of performances across the Midwest with brilliant songwriter Walter Salas-Humara of The Silos! Check us out along the Twin Cities / Madison / Chicago corridor and places in-between! More info at the DATES page.
I’m in a book!
My 2015 album LOOK UP has gets an A-grade in the new power pop encyclopedia Shake Some Action 2.0.
It’s an honor to be included in this book with some of my favorite artists such as Parthenon Huxley, Jason Falkner, and Matthew Sweet!
I play keyboards on the song “She’s A Caveman” from the new Walter Salas-Humara album, and my teenaged son Paavo did the clay animation for the music video!
FALL 2018
surprise press coverage...
The Pioneer Press newspaper here in the Twin Cities felt like my career evolution was newsworthy... and I had no idea they were going to write about it!
One of the highlights of this past year has been touring with brilliant songwriter Walter Salas-Humara as he's been road-testing and recording his new songs. His new album WALTERIO was released on August 10th, 2018, and I was thrilled to be invited to sing and play on it. Below are some previews of the album, found on YouTube.
One of my favorites on Walter’s new album is “She’s A Caveman.” Here we are, back in May, performing it at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago.
Check out Walter’s new song “Will You Be Ready.” I co-wrote this one, and that’s me contributing acoustic guitar, harmonica, and harmony vocals.
My wife Dr. Dawn Rundman has released her new book! Order HERE.
SUMMER 2018
I’m excited to announce the surprise release of this new 16-song digital album LIVE MUSIC, a collection of concert performances from 1999-2018. On my most recent tour I received multiple requests for live recordings. When I returned, I looked through my archives and found some interesting audio files from concerts, many of which have never been previously released to the public.
LIVE MUSIC features some of my most well-known compositions (“Librarian,” “Forgiveness Waltz,” and “Norman Borlaug Polka”); performances from notable venues like The Old Town School Of Folk Music, the Iowa State Capitol Building, and the Cornerstone Festival; and selections from my tours with Beki Hemingway, Arto Järvelä, and Walter Salas-Humara.
The album is available for FREE at my BandCamp page, or you could pay what you want. Thanks to everyone who requested these recordings!
I'll be performing at the ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston!
I'm looking forward to making music with thousands of Lutherans in June 2018! Follow me on social media to see how this adventure unfolds...
MAY 2018
I'm excited to hit the road with WALTER SALAS-HUMARA on a Midwest Tour this month! Details at my DATES page....
you can remix "Prometheus!"
May 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of The Muckrakers album release... a trio project I recorded with fellow Ishpeming natives David Casimir and Todd Berg back in 1998. To commemorate the anniversary, I have posted the original six instrumental tracks for our song "Prometheus" and I'm making them available to the public for remixing. Just visit my Soundcloud page, download the six WAV files, import them into your audio editing program at 163 bpm, and remix away! Then, when you're done, send me a WAV of your remix and I'll post it for free download at The Muckrakers Bandcamp page https://jonathanrundman.bandcamp.com/album/the-muckrakers and I'll promote you across social media!
The first remix of "Prometheus" has been submitted! Big thanks to Richard Bruxvoort Colligan for this Relentless Strawberry Remix, now downloadable for FREE (or pay what you want) at this BandCamp link!
APRIL 2018
This Spring I'm looking forward to a lot of cool gigs across the Midwest! In April I'll be touring solo, and in May I'll be accompanying the brilliant Walter Salas-Humara of The Silos. Visit my dates page for specific venue info, and I'll see you on the road!
FEBRUARY 2018
15 years of "The Serious Kind"
Back in 2003 I released a new song "The Serious Kind." Since then the song has developed a life of its own, and I've continued to perform it at nearly every concert.
In celebration of the song's anniversary I'm making the sheet music available as a free downloadable PDF.
I encourage you to play the song yourself, with your band, or for your community!
ALSO: In commemoration of the song's debut, I'm putting my 2003 compilation album EXTRA CREDIT on sale for only $5, featuring the original studio recording of "The Serious Kind." Order the CD from my BandCamp page.
JANUARY 2018
A few weeks ago I had a chance to perform with songwriter Bob Walkenhorst of The Rainmakers, one of my all-time favorite bands! Here's a video from a house concert here in Minnesota where I joined Bob on the song "Downstream." I'll be playing a show with Bob in May 2018 in Kansas City... details to come!
I'll be artist-in-residence at Heikinpäivä!
Later this month I'll be performing at the annual Winter Festival on the campus of Finlandia University in my birthplace, Hancock, MI! My schedule:
WED, JAN 24, 6PM, $15: songwriting workshop
THU, JAN 25, 6PM, $15: Finnish folk music workshop: harmonium /keyboards
NOVEMBER 2017
Finland turns 100!
December 6th, 2017, is the 100th Anniversary of Finnish Independence. My song "Home Unknown," written from the perspective of a Finnish-American, will be sung at the Anniversary Commemoration ceremony in Upper Michigan. CLICK HERE for the sheet music and learn to play the song! Audio downloadable here from the RESERVOIR album.
NEW SONG! In commemoration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, I'm pleased to release a new studio recording of my song "For Such A Time As This." Written in 2015, based on a text from the Book of Esther, this song of mine has only existed in sheet-music form... until now! Download for FREE (or pay what you want... which I would appreciate!) from my BandCamp page. Sheet music downloadable here. CCLI number: 7056481
My first album is 25!
Yes, exactly a quarter century ago I recorded and released my debut album 28 DAYS IN THE YELLOW ROOM. In celebration I'm providing the last few copies of the original CASSETTE TAPE pressing for $5, as well as the 2003 limited-edition CD reissue for $5. ORDER HERE at my BandCamp page.
OCTOBER 2017
Such a pleasure to tour the Midwest this month with Walter Salas-Humara of The Silos!
NEW ENGLAND!
FRIDAY, OCT 6, 7PM
First Lutheran Church
West Barnstable, MA (Cape Cod)
SATURDAY, OCT 7, 7PM
The Loring Center
Plymouth, MA
SUNDAY, OCT 8
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Westborough, MA
MONDAY, OCT 9, 7PM
St. Paul Lutheran Church
Gloucester, MA
WEDNESDAY, OCT 11, 7PM
Payson Park UCC Church
Belmont, MA (Boston Metro)
SEPTEMBER 2017
Big thanks to ELCA 500 for featuring me in the Our Lutheran Life video series! I share a bit about my family story, and some theological / musical connections. Plus there' a special guest appearance, and some historic locations...
I'm on the CREATE! EXPLODE! REPEAT! podcast:
Big thanks to MR. GEE for a very thoughtful and well informed interview. Check out our podcast discussion HERE or eventually when the episode posts on iTunes.
AUGUST 2017
This Summer I was commissioned by Bear Creek Lutheran Camp in Pennsylvania to write a theme song for their Summer program, based on the Bible verse Romans 12:1-2. The result is "Body And Mind," which I have posted at my Bandcamp page:
JULY 2017
Whoa, I had a BLAST playing in Germany at the Luther500 Festival in June! Danke Schön to all!
The RESERVOIR album has been getting some international coverage in the blogosphere. Check out these reviews:
I'm playing a gig with Justin Roberts!
On Wednesday, July 12th, at 6PM, I'll be accompanying Grammy-nominated songwriter Justin Roberts for a free show in Wayzata, MN! CLICK HERE for details...
JUNE 2017
I'm pleased to release a new 22-song retrospective album called Reservoir, in celebration of my 25th anniversary as a recording artist!
You may download the album NOW and/or order the CD from My BandCamp page:
This Winter/Spring I've had a lot of fun producing and engineering an intellectual property podcast called Better Patents Now. I also wrote and produced the show's theme song. Check it out at my SoundCloud page:
MAY 2017
These past couple months I've had a lot of fun making a horror movie with my family. It's a nine-minute short film called Beware Barstempii and you can watch it below:
The kids composed and performed original music for the movie's soundtrack. The official soundtrack EP is downloadable for free (or pay what you want) at my BandCamp page:
MARCH 2017
I'm very excited to have contributed to the new acoustic album Work: Part Two by songwriter extraordinaire Walter Salas-Humara! Hear me sing harmony and play piano, accordion, and harmonium throughout the album, DOWNLOADABLE HERE.
I've added a series of new videos at my YouTube channel, featuring performances recorded on tour with Beki Hemingway last year!
JANUARY 2017
Back in 2011 I wrote a fiddle tune in Borlaug's honor, and in 2013 was invited to perform it at the Iowa State Capital Building, broadcast live on Iowa Public Television. Now, for the first time, there is sheet music available for the tune. CLICK on the image of the sheet music for a free PDF. And, you may download the studio version of the song HERE for free at BandCamp, or pay what you want.
Come see me on tour this Winter!
I was very pleased to contribute some keyboard tracks to the new recording by the Minnesota Americana band Pleasure Horse. Check out this cool song "Charley" featuring me on Hammond Organ. I love to do recording sessions, in the studio, or remotely by sharing audio files online. You can hire me to play on your next recording project...CLICK HERE for some information on my work as a session musician. Congrats to Pleasure Horse on the release of their EP!
OCTOBER 2016
Big thanks to everybody in Finland for welcoming me during my #JonathanSuomeen tour! Here's a video of my performance at the Loimaa Art Museum, featuring Arto Järvelä!
SEPTEMBER 2016
BIG NEWS: In October I'll be performing at the LOST IN MUSIC festival in Tampere, Finland! There are other Finnish dates developing, too ...visit my DATES page to check out my plans for touring in my ancestral homeland!
More new videos have been posted on my YouTube Channel! Here's "Diner By The Train" recorded live a few weeks ago:
AUGUST 2016
There are new videos at my YouTube channel! Here's one:
JULY 2016
Psyched to be heading out on tour with Walter Salas-Humara.
JUNE 2016
I'm very excited to announce this show: On THURSDAY, JUNE 9th, 2016 I'll be performing with my band at The Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis! It's my first hometown concert in a year, and my first time since 2013 to play at The Cedar, one of the best venues in the country. CLICK HERE for advance tickets and show details. My band and I will play at 8PM. It's ALL AGES, so please bring the family!
MAY 2016
In the year 2008 I released the album INSOMNIACCOMPLISHMENTS. I was home with a baby and a preschooler at the time, and so I did not promote or tour in support of the record. Eventually it fell out of print and became my "lost album." Now, eight years later, I thought I should give it another chance at life. The album has been reissued as a special hand-numbered limited edition CD, with a brand new design and photographs from the original album sessions. Order now for $15!
One of my all-time favorite songwriters WALTER SALAS-HUMARA of THE SILOS has released a new solo album, Explodes & Disappears. I'm thrilled to have co-written the first song on the album "Diner By The Train," and I sing harmony and play keyboards throughout the album as well!
I've had other fun adventures as a studio musician this Spring, too! Here's a song "New Cliche" from the new album by Minneapolis folk trio THE LOWLAND LAKERS. I play accordion on the album:
MARCH 2016
It's been a dream of mine to have my solo albums released in my ancestral homeland of Finland. Therefore, I'm THRILLED to announce that my new album LOOK UP is now available there! Check out the hashtag #JonathanSuomeen to follow the album's Finnish campaign across social media platforms.
Johanna at Hurja Media is helping me introduce my music to 5 million people across the ocean who have never heard of me before!
The LOOK UP album went on sale at Digelius Music in Helsinki on February 19th!
In celebration of the album's release in Finland, I've released a new video for the song "The Ballad of Nikolaus Rungius" which premiered on PasteMagazine.com this month!
JANUARY 2016
A few years ago when I was playing Nordic folk music I wrote some fiddle tunes that were rarely (and sometimes never) performed. Thanks to the magic of Noteflight software, I'm now able to share sheet music and audio references with anyone who might want to play the tunes, experiment with arrangements, etc! Click on the image below to access a PDF file of the sheet music for my previously unheard tune "Stethoscope," AND for the tune "Rynkö" from the Kaivama album. If you learn tune and create a cool arrangement for it, email me [email protected] and let me know! Have fun!
OCTOBER 2015
This month's Western States tour was amazing. Special thanks to WALTER SALAS-HUMARA for having me in the band for the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco! I'm also appearing and co-writing a song on Walter's forthcoming new album...CLICK HERE to support his Pledgemusic.com campaign to fund the record.
SEPTEMBER 2015
I'm just out the door for a two-week tour to Colorado and California! If you want to check out what I've been up to for the past month, visit my YouTube Channel where you can see some brand new videos of recent performances. Below you'll see a rare solo performance of "The Ballad of Nikolaus Rungius" recorded at the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival, AND you can also check out clips from my house concert with Bob Walkenhorst of The Rainmakers.
JULY 2015
I had a blast last month playing shows across Minnesota with Walter Salas-Humara! On the afternoon of our show in Duluth I stopped by KUMD radio to perform on their Live from Studio A series.
The audio is archived at the KUMD website...stream the audio HERE. Host Christine Dean asked some excellent questions and I performed "Helicopters of Love," "Home Unknown," and "The Serious Kind."
ALSO: check out this review of my LOOK UP album in the Duluth News Tribune newspaper!
MAY 2015
I'm really excited to get back on the road in May, after spending the past couple months laying low in Minneapolis. I'll be zipping across Michigan, flying out to the Pacific Northwest and coming back to the Midwest in June to play my official hometown release show for my new LOOK UP album!
Visit my TOUR DATES page for complete venue information.
APRIL 2015
introducing the CREATIVITY DRILL PODCAST!
I'm very exited to announce the launch of my first-ever adventure in podcasting!
CREATIVITY DRILL is hosted by me along with my brilliant wife Dr. Dawn Rundman. Together we visit with an amazing series of artists, musicians, authors, designers, performers, and creative explorers.
You can listen and subscribe to the show via the iTunes store.
Just import the episodes into your smartphone and take us along with you on your morning commute, on the treadmill at the gym, or on your next road trip or plane ride! Podcasts are also very good for listening while washing dishes or raking leaves.
JANUARY 2015
THE LOOK UP ALBUM IS RELEASED!
After a year of recording, crowdfunding, preparing, and road-testing, I'm thrilled to officially release my new record!
Please support me by purchasing the album:
at Amazon
at iTunes
or, even better, direct from my own online store.
If you'd rather mail-order the old fashioned way and pay by check, CLICK HERE and print the order form.
Thanks to so many of you who have been encouraging me along the way. I have poured my heart and soul into these songs, and I want to be part of the soundtrack to your 2015!
Here's a the official music video for "Prioritize Us," the first song from the LOOK UP album!
Check out these interviews in the Chicago Sun-Times and The Mining Journal in anticipation of the new album's release!
Later this month I'll be performing a series of concerts across the North woods...check my DATES page for complete details.
DECEMBER 2014
Thanks to everybody who came out to hear Walter and me on our Midwest tour! It was great to see you all. Special thanks to our fine hosts, and our collaborating musical friends!
NOVEMBER 2014
MORE VIDEOS AT YOUTUBE! Last month I played a plethora of shows across the Midwest, including a series of gigs with my great friend and long-time collaborator, percussionist Lowell Michelson. Here we are doing an unplugged version of "Rynkô," a tune from the debut Kaivama album. Also, CLICK HERE for a video from the Folk Alliance Region Midwest conference, where I got to sing and play with Trish Bruxvoort Colligan.
VARIOUS ALBUM APPEARANCES
This past year I've had the pleasure of contributing to a variety of recording projects by other artists. This month a few of those albums will get wide releases! Here are three of them...
I was the producer for Chris Steubing's debut album of Lutheran-songwriter rock. I'll also join Chris and band for the album's release show on Saturday, November 15, 2014.
Matt Arthur & The Bratlanders are celebrating the vinyl release of their debut album. I played harmonium and piano on this great recording, and I'm thrilled to appear on vinyl for the first time!
One of my most-influential songwriters Jeff Krebs has released a new album of kids' music as Papa Crow. I contributed harmonium to this excellent album of Yooper-centric nature songs.
OCTOBER 2014
In 2004 Beki Hemingway and I recorded and released our Americana duet album Tennesota! This month we're celebrating the album's 10 year anniversary. We have only 20 copies of the CD left, and we're making them available now in a special $15 bundle: a signed copy of Tennesota, a Salt Lady Records Extra Credit sampler CD featuring rare Beki & Jonathan songs, AND a download card for the out-of-print Beki & Jonathan Christmas EP Present. Click here to order!
So that you can more conveniently find out when I'll be playing in your neighborhood, I'm trying a new online platform for my tour dates. Check out my bandsintown.com page...there you can click the "Track This Artist" box for updates when I'm in your area, share specific shows across social media, RSVP, buy tickets, and more.
Harmonium on wheels...
Some fun behind-the-scenes photos (including this one of my harmonium load-in!) are featured in a recent article in the Wisconsin State Journal. Back in June during Walter Salas-Humara's Midwest tour, our Madison show was covered by a reporter who was profiling the awesome venue Kiki's House of Righteous Music.
JULY 2014
I'm very excited to be traversing the continent in the coming months! Visit my DATES page for specific info...
LISTEN FOR ME ON NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO THIS MONTH
Last Fall I had the amazing opportunity to perform live on NPR's Mountain Stage radio show. Joining me were the brilliant Jake Armerding on fiddle/mandolin and Matt Patrick on electric guitar. Performing on the same show were favorites of mine songwriter Jill Sobule and Midwestern rock legends the BoDeans, complete with Kenny Aronoff on drums. Incredible!
This month, in the week after July 18th, NPR will be re-broadcasting the episode! Check your local Public Radio listings, and tune in to hear me sing the folk song "Stagger Lee" with fellow Finnish-American Minnesotan guitarist Erik Koskinen, Kurt from the BoDeans, and Kenny playing drums...a highlight of my career!
Last month I spent a very fun week on tour playing keyboards with Walter Salas-Humara! Check out our appearance live on WGN-TV in Chicago! We're playing Walter's new pop gem "Like A Satellite," complete with satellite hats. Other new videos appear at my YouTube channel.
JUNE 2014
I'm super psyched to be the guest keyboardist for Walter Salas-Humara on his solo Midwest tour this week. Walter is one of my all-time favorite songwriters (you may know him from his band The Silos), and he's also the producer of my 2004 album Public Library.
We've had some shows already, and have a few more to go:
TUES, JUNE 3: Aster Cafe, Minneapolis
THURS, JUNE 5: Kiki's House of Righteous Music, Madison, WI with Wooldridge Brothers Email to RSVP
FRI, JUNE 6: Schuba's, Chicago, IL, with Jon Langford