Kalle Talonen & Nenä, a poetry and music duo, have been performing for years in their home regions of Southwest Finland and Satakunta, as well as elsewhere in Finland.

The duo consists of Turku-based poet Kalle Talonen and Pori-based musician Nenä. Kalle recites his own texts, most of which are taken from his own poetry books. Nenä sings, creates loops and plays keyboards, trumpet, flute and anything else he can get his hands on.

Kalle Talonen & Nenä smoothly combine the marginalised genre of poetry music with populist entertainment for the audience. Poetry enhanced with music and soundscapes is moving, but also makes you laugh when performed live. The topics range from peeling potatoes to the creation of the universe, sometimes even within the same song. The gigs are known for their theatrical elements, loud and sensitive performances, and unique surprises. The genre is such that few others in Finland do it or even know about it. At gigs, the best and most surprised feedback usually comes from people who were not familiar with the band or the art form in question beforehand.

Outside of poetry music, Kalle Talonen and Karri Laihonen, the artist behind the stage name Nenä, have also collaborated for years at Yleisradio, and they are particularly well known in south-western Finland as the voices of Radio Suomi's morning broadcasts.

However, the duo's poetry videos perhaps best illustrate their work. A link to the videos is provided below. Poetry is always worthwhile – and so is poetry music at other times too!