One of the more intriguing “retro-rock” acts out there is a band called The Duke from Vaasa, Finland. With influences covering the spectrum from The Moody Blues to Radiohead, this band manages to offer fresh and original songwriting while honoring their roots. The Finnish four-piece formed back in 2000 as the brainchild of Mikko Kananoja, the band’s vocalist and guitarist, out of his desire to make “60’s style retro pop-rock.” Since then the band released a few EP’s and cultivated quite the local following by touring all over their home country. This week’s free track, “We Come from The Same” is fresh off the band’s Push Me Back into The Black EP, which was released in June. The slow, epic build up gives way to one of the most heart wrenching guitar solos since “Purple Rain.” Hopefully there’s a full-length release and an American tour in the works!
