Mika Kuokkanen

The Finnish roots music star and founder of the band Hoedown, Mika Kuokkanen, has had a long career. In addition to his work with Hoedown, he has performed as a singer-songwriter/solo artist (KKANE) and has been a singer and musician in various ensembles, such as Joshua James-Evan Coulombe-Mika Kuokkanen, Mika Kuokkanen & Jere Ijäs, Broadcast, and Edu Kettunen-Mika Kuokkanen-Johanna & Mikko Iivanainen.

As a musician, he has worked with notable artists including J. Karjalainen, Edu Kettunen, Erin, Maarit, and many others.

As a songwriter, Mika has excelled in collaboration with Australian country star James Blundell, for whose album, set to release on November 7, 2025, half of the songs are co-written by Kuokkanen and Terry McArthur. He also plays and sings on the record alongside Larry Campbell (Dylan, Levon Helm, Jackson Browne, Buddy & Julie Miller), Bill Payne (Little Feat), Justin Guip (Levon Helm, Jorma Kaukonen), and Lincoln Schleifer (Grateful Dead).

In addition to Finland, Kuokkanen has toured especially in the United States and Australia, performing his own songs from various albums, unique renditions of his favorite songs, and perhaps even some new material at festival solo gigs!