Joel Hokka walked away from Blind Channel convinced his relationship with music had run its course. But fate had other plans. Pauli Rantasalmi, once the guitarist of The Rasmus, stepped in to help Joel sort out the paperwork of a life in transition, and in the process reignited a creative spark neither of them expected. Joined by drummer Jimi, they formed the project Hokka, releasing their debut album Via Miseria IV through Nuclear Blast last April.
For Joel, this music is more than a creative outlet: it is a way to confront the demons that shadow his daily life, a form of therapy he hopes might also resonate with others carrying their own weight. Before taking the stage at Porispere, Joel sat down with The Offering to discuss this new chapter, the aesthetic vision behind the project, the making of the debut album, the upcoming co‑headline tour with Lost Society, and everything in between from deep introspection to lighter moments.
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