Culture / Society

“Like, what the f**k, this could still become absolutely anything”: Finnish artist ibe enters a new chapter

By Linnéa Pesonen
Finnish artist Ibe

Finnish artist ibe, or Ilmari Kärki. Photo: Samuli Vienola

Helsinki-based ibe rose from SoundCloud uploads to become one of Finland’s hottest artists. Below, we trace the ups and downs of his journey into music – and what’s next, as he embraces a fresh chapter

The term ‘era’ might feel overused by the chronically online, but there’s no better way to capture Finnish artist ibe’s current moment in words: ‘a new era’.

“I would agree,” he says with a smile, adding that, right now, he’s relishing “a newfound sense of limitlessness.” “It’s a similar feeling to when I started making music – the feeling that anything can happen,” he continues. “At some point, it started to feel more like, damn, maybe this is just going to end up being a Finnish thing. But now, that sense has kind of come back – like, what the f**k, this could still become absolutely anything.”

Finnish artist Ibe

Denim jacket, Jeans. Both Acne Studios via Stockmann. Top. Vain. Necklace. Ildar Wafin. Belt. Mayura via Boot Factory. Bag. Acne Studios via Beamstore Helsinki. . Photo: Samuli Vienola

Finnish artist Ibe

Coat, Sweater, Trousers. All Vintage Giorgio Armani via Kaartinen&Kuusela. Necklaces. Talent’s own. Belt. Vintage, Kaartinen&Kuusela. Socks. Falke. Shoes. Louis Vuitton. Gloves. Hestra. Talent’s own. Photo: Samuli Vienola