Varttina
Mari Kaasinen (b. 6 December 1971, Raakkyla, Finland; vocals), Sari Kaasinen (b. Raakkyla, Finland), Kirsi Kahkonen (b. 30 June 1970, Raakkyla, Finland; vocals), Susan Aho (b. 5 March 1974, Espoo, Finland; vocals/accordion), Janne Lappalainen (b. 21 April 1974, Raakkyla, Finland; bouzouki/saxophones), Antto Varilo (b. 9 August 1966, Helsinki, Finland; guitar/banjo/kantele), Kari "Reiska" Reiman (b. 31 January 1955, Helsinki, Finland; violin/kantele), Sirpa Reiman (b. 16 July 1966, Ostrobothnia, Finland; vocals), Pekka Lehti (b. 23 January 1965, Joensuu, Finland; bass), Marko Timonen (b. 7 September 1966, Helsinki, Finland; drums/percussion). Formed in 1983 by sisters Sari and Mari Kaasinen in the village of Raakkyla in Kaarelia, the south-east region of Finland, V„rttin„ was originally a youth folk group who recited Kaarelian poetry, sang and played the kantele (a multi-stringed zither that is Finland's national instrument). The group expanded to 21 members (15 female vocalists backed by six men on various instruments). This line-up recorded two albums for the local market, V„rttin„ and Musta Lindu. By 1989 most of the original members had left the group. The remaining core membership of the Kaasinen sisters, Janne Lappalainen and Kirsi Kahkonen recruited a new set of backing musicians. This 11-piece line-up incorporated rock influences and introduced original material into their repertoire. At the same time, they also delved deeper into their Kaarelian cultural roots and started to seriously explore other Finno-Ugric traditions. In 1991, Oi Dai, the first release by the new line-up, introduced their new sound, best described as breakneck Scandinavian folk-rock. Seleniko, the follow-up, was released a year later and went straight to number 1 in the European World Music Charts, where it remained for three months. In the same year the group toured extensively in Europe and the USA. Aitara was their first release to feature a drummer. In the same year they appeared alongside Baaba Maal and Angelique Kidjo at Prize Of Europe (MTV's anti-racism video competition), performed at festivals in the USA and Europe and played on albums by Hector Zazou and Maggie Reilly. In 1996, they released Kokko, their most varied and accomplished album to date, establishing their position as international ambassadors of Finnish music. They also continued to tour, including support slots for Bj”rk and Joan Armatrading. Vihma (1998) continued their high standard of releases with guest appearances from Finland's JPP and members of the Tuvan group Yat-Kha. In the same year V„rttin„ celebrated their 15th anniversary with a concert at the Kihaus Festival in their home village of Raakkyla.

Listen to Varttina at Finetune.

Albums
Top Tracks
  • Riena / Anathema
  • Lumotar / The Enchantress
  • Synti / The Sin
  • Vaiten Valvoin / I Lay Awake
  • Lupaus / The Promise
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