TATAKI is a Helsinki-based folk trio bringing together Taiwanese shamisen player Zuiko, Finnish drummer Aarne, and Chilean bass player Javier. The name comes from the Japanese word for “to strike/hit”a – nod to the band’s percussive, energetic sound. Rooted in rock music and a shared love for Japanese culture, TATAKI takes audiences on a diverse and joyful musical journey across Japan, Taiwan, and beyond with groovy arrangements of traditional pieces, Taiwanese pop songs, and catchy originals that anyone can enjoy.

The three met at the Global Music department of the Sibelius Academy. Zuiko studied shamisen in Japan with local masters and holds a degree in Japanese language; Javier has played jazz, rock, cumbia, and folk professionally around the world for over 10 years; and Aarne has performed in diverse musical settings across Finland and abroad for over a decade.