Jussi Lehtisalo (born 1972) is a Finnish musician. In 1991, he founded Circle, a prolific band drawing influences from heavy metal and krautrock to develop a style of repetitive experimental rock. He also runs a record label, Ektro Records, releasing his own music alongside left field rock and metal releases by artists such as Faust and Acid Mothers Temple.
Biography
Circle
Still the main project for Lehtisalo's musical endeavours, Circle have released 40 albums since 1994. Throughout the band's ever-shifting line-up,[1] Lehtisalo has been the only constant presence, and de facto leader. The current core line-up of the band – Mika Rättö, Janne Westerlund, Tomi Leppänen and Lehtisalo – is the longest consistent incarnation of the group, and although their output has slowed down since the mid-2000s, Lehtisalo has shown no sign that he plans to wind the band up.
Other projects
Lehtisalo is involved in a large number of projects outside of Circle, most notably Pharaoh Overlord, originally the trio of Leppänen, Westerlund and Lehtisalo indulging in a passion for stoner rock. He and Rättö have also released several albums as a duo (Rättö ja Lehtisalo) and one as a trio with Kauko Röyhkä. The improvisation-based Ektroverde[2] uses various electronic instrument, jazz drumming, and 1970s-style progressive rock riffs.[3] Other bands are Iron Magazine, Oric, Dekathlon, Pakasteet, Sakset, Doktor Kettu, Steel Mammoth and Lehtisalofamily, which consists of Lehtisalo accompanied by his parents.[citation needed] Grumbling Fur, meanwhile, is a collaboration with Daniel O'Sullivan of Guapo and Alexander Tucker, amongst others. 2012 saw the debut release from Split Cranium, a collaboration with Aaron Turner of Isis.
