Jesse Markin
I can be around everything here.
Jesse Markin's life has always revolved around music, already when still living in Tampere and Viljakkala. "I moved to Helsinki because this is where everything happens, here I can be around everything. If I wouldn't have come here, many things might be different right now.
When Markin settled in Helsinki in 2007, his first focal point was the record store Keltainen Jäänsärkijä. His circle started to slowly grow from there. "Many things and experiences in Finland can only be found in Helsinki. There is a quicker and different reaction to things. The diverse field makes you interact with different kinds of people, it opens up your world. There is diversity, culture and difference."
Markin first lived in Veräjälaakso, then Sörnäinen and now in eastern Helsinki. All of these places have their own charm, such as the jogging routes either along the Vantaanjoki river or along the sea. "You can reach forests and water. Diversity is the best thing about Helsinki. Many people have arrived here from somewhere else, and everything is possible."
"A great thing about Helsinki is that I haven't needed a car in 13 years because you can use public transportation to go anywhere."
When I moved to Helsinki in 2007, Keltainen Jäänsärkijä played a big role in my life. I had little money and there would have been gigs to go to, but I enjoyed records. I always found something new. A great place, good vibe, and the owners are good people! Helsinki also has other excellent record stores that I used to visit, but Keltainen Jäänsärkijä is the most important one for me.
Music has always been important in my life. I was a regular visitor for a long time as an audience member, and I wondered how I could get up on stage. At some point I got to perform there as part of some group, but the culmination point for the voyage I started in 2008 was my own record release party. I stood on my own two feet, we managed to sell out Tavastia, it was an amazing feeling! At a later point, I also got to step on the same stage to accept an award at the Indie Awards. I have big memories from Tavastia.
I go to the movies a lot. I tend to choose by film, not by theatre. But I have to say that the cinema experience at Riviera in Kallio is different. They have good seats and a fully licenced bar. The last film I saw there was A Star Is Born.
I used to live in Veräjälaakso and often went running along the Vantaanjoki river. I used to go swimming and barbecuing at the Pikkukoski beach with my friends. There is a great open rock facing the water where you can spend time. The size of it is somehow fitting and intimate.
I'm no restaurant expert, but I find Liemi's food amazing. I visit quite often, it's one of my favourite places in the whole city. Their brunch is especially magnificent, it's often our go-to Saturday thing. That's where the weekend kicks off.
I like the street food scene. I often go to the movies and often see something at the Tennispalatsi cinema. The 6k Food Market is good for eating some quick and nice. There are all kinds of options, such as Bali Brunch, Fisu&Ranet and Bun2Bun.
When I want to try out something new and sporty, there is plenty to do at Korkee, it's a cool place. You can drop down in a wire like a commando from a chopper. Or climb trees just using your body strength. I would first check out the routes with a lot of confidence, thinking I could easily do this and that. But I noticed fairly quickly that perhaps I'm not as quick and strong as before.