Listening: Home Unknown — Finnish-American Longing

Singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist Jonathan (currently based in Minneapolis) has been putting out indie rock solo albums since 1992, but has also ventured into traditional Finnish folk music and has multiple releases of tunes that I won’t call Christian rock, but more rock that grapples with being someone who goes to church.

We discuss “Diner by the Train” (and listen at the end to “Evidence”) from Waves (2025), “Home Unknown” from Look Up (2015), “Tape” from Recital (1997), and “Failing Rockstar Attempt” from Sound Theology (2000). Intro: “When I Get Bored” from 11 Years and 28 Days in the Yellow Room (1992) More at junathanrundman.com.

Hear all of the 2016 Walter Salas-Humara version of “Diner by the Train” (who co-wrote the song with Jonathan; Jonathan plays on this version. Watch Walter’s trio (including Jonathan) play this live. See young Jonathan in his video for “When I Get Bored.” Watch Jonathan’s current live band playing his recent single. “Let’s Put On an Opera.”

Watch him playing live Finnish folk music with Kaivama. Watch Kaivama playing “Home Unknown” live. Here he is playing harmonium. Watch a lyric video for Jonathan’s most popular song as we mention in the interview: “Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness.”

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