Värttinä

Värttinä formed in 1983 in Kaustinen, a Finnish town known for its folk music. The group started with six women who drew from Karelian folk songs, a tradition from the region bordering Russia. Their early material included songs like 'Maahinen Neito' and 'Äijön Manaus,' which carried the rhythmic patterns and vocal harmonies characteristic of that tradition.

While some traditionalists initially questioned their approach, Värttinä kept working with the material on their own terms. Their lineup has shifted over time, with original member Mari Kaasinen remaining as a lead singer alongside Susan Aho. They've recorded more than a dozen albums, including 'Oi Dai' in 1991 and 'Selenia' in 1996.

The group has performed internationally, appearing at venues like London's Royal Albert Hall and collaborating with artists outside the folk world, such as Björk. Their sound, built around interweaving voices and sparse instrumentation like the kantele and nyckelharpa, avoids grand production in favor of a direct, almost incantatory delivery. You can hear this on tracks like 'Kylän Kävijä' and 'Seelinnikoi,' where the vocals themselves carry both melody and rhythm.