Barely 10 days after the passing of John Orsi, I find myself writing about the demise of another fine progressive rock musician whose work I had the pleasure of reviewing on this blog. Though Dave Kulju passed away on December 10, I only found out this morning – again, while scrolling down my Facebook feed. He would have turned 44 in January.
My first contact with Dave also happened when I was collaborating with that other website, and he sent me his second solo album, Notes From the Margin, for review. I remember being intrigued by his obviously Finnish surname (I lived in Finland from 1996 to 2001, and still have very fond memories of that country), though only later did I ask him if he had Finnish roots. Unfortunately, I did not get round to reviewing the CD on that occasion, so when we connected on Facebook a few months later I asked him to send me another copy. The album turned out to be a cut above the majority of the “solo pilot” projects I had reviewed in the past – marrying melody and accessibility with a genuine love of progressive rock, and paying homage to the genre’s glorious past without coming across as blatantly regressive.
In the past few months, Dave had been working on some new music, and towards the end of November he posted a video of a new song on his blog (which also hosted examples of his impressive photography, including quite a few shots from NEARfest Apocalypse). He had also been working with a couple of old friends with the intent of starting a band, and recorded two demos titled “Big Sur” and “Echoes of Warning”. In spite of his commitments to work and family, he always found the time for music, which was his greatest passion together with photography, computers and sports.
Although both Dave and I were in Bethlehem for the final edition of NEArfest, we managed to miss each other, but hoped there would be a next time in which to meet face to face. Sadly, fate decreed otherwise, and for the second time in this month of December – a month that has acquired a special poignancy for me since my mother’s passing at the end of 2004 – I have to mourn the passing of a talented artist and very nice human being. I hope those of my readers who are unfamiliar with Dave’s music will want to check it out and keep his memory alive.
Fire of Unknown Origin 
Thank you. I’m Dave’s sister and we are of course devastated. One of the only things that brings me some solace is hearing people’s stories about Dave and going through his website and reading reviews, etc. I knew what an amazing person he was but learning that other people knew it too is comforting. We feel robbed from the memories we were to make and the music he was to create. Please keep listening to him.
Karen, I am so very sorry for your loss. I never got to meet Dave in person, but we were in touch on Facebook, and he often commented on my posts about music. He was a very gifted person and a great human being, and did not deserve to be gone so soon. I will do my best to ensure that he is not forgotten in the community of progressive rock fans.
Thank you for the kind words. Speaking for his family and friends (one of the aforementioned old friends he recorded those demos with) it’s nice to see that people respected not only his work as a musician but, more so, Dave as a person.
I am beyond sad that both he and we as a group have so many more songs that are left unfinished.
Thank you for visiting my blog, even if the circumstances are so sad. I will always regret not meeting Dave in person last year at NEARfest. He was a very nice and talented guy, and would have deserved much more recognition of his work as a musician. I have lost many people close to me in the past few years, so I know all too well how you feel.
I just found out today! He always shared his music with me before he sent it out. We got along great. This is so sad…
I know I’m way late in finding this out, but I knew Dave years ago from a Rush message board. I bought both his albums over the years – very talented; I always enjoyed his creations. My condolences to his family & friends!
salut je decouvre Dave Kulju sur la radio delicious agony avec un excellent morceau Skating On Europa et la j écoute l album sur deezer que je trouve trés bon que j ai mi dans mon panier sur amazone mourir s y jeune quel dommage
Salut et merci de votre visite!
I was just playing Dave’s music again and thought that I hadn’t heard anything about him for a long time but I knew music was a hobby for him, as he didn’t live from it, like most musicians who do progressive rock music, alas… It might seem stupid but It is only now that I discover that Dave has passed away… I cannot tell how much it saddens me. Actually, my life has been on a rollercoaster since early December 2013… with several breakups and losses and many problems. I certainly didn’t see the notification on Facebook, (we were “friends” there) as I didn’t connect for a long time… Then after I certainly didn’t think of searching for notifications from him… which is stupid. Shame on me. I reviewed Dave’s albums in a prog fanzine from France called Koid’9 …. at the time of release. I think I might well have translated one of my revoiews for him, by the way. I did this for musicians when I had the time. I had previously bought the two albums by Electrum that I had discovered thanks to CDBABY but I preferred noticeably his solo albums… I exchanged with him through the Internet at the time of the second album. He was so talented and such a humble man, from what I could see… It really makes me feel very sad… Can’t say more.. I treasure his albums, really. They sound as good now as they sounded when I first discovered them. I became fond of them more and more with each listen. Really, really, such an underrated talent. Fine composer, great guitar player, multi-instrumentalist…. It was already a shame that he couldn’t live from music.
Another man who I admire sincerely has passed away, way, way too early… and I wonder in which circumstances. I think of his family that has lost him way too early as well, of course… Life is a bitch.