Howdy and welcome to Arctic Paradise, the world's northernmost musical oasis. Join us and browse to the richness and diversity of Finland's thriving contemporary folk music scene. Use links below for visiting the best of the Finnish folk and folk based artists.

JPP

Finland's top violin ensemble, from the fiddle capital of Finland, Kaustinen, with seven brilliant albums and an ever expanding international recognition. Including four to fourteen violins, harmonium and double bass, JPP creates an intoxicating original sound with folk and classical roots, daring and original compositions and arrangements and unmatched technical skills, while still retaining that "down-home" feeling. New album STRING TEASE just released (listen). JPP site is at Hoedown server http://www.hoedown.com/html/jpp.html.

Troka

Featuring members of fiddle supergroup JPP, plus a brilliant female accordionist and viola player, Troka are one of Finland's most creative folk music groups. Mostly original material with arrangements that are startling, filled with twists and surprises. New album, SMASH (listen), now available. More Troka info is given by their management company Hoedown, at http://www.hoedown.com/html/troka.html

Maria Kalaniemi

One of the most popular contemporary accordionists in Finland and rapidly becoming respected worldwide as a brilliant player and composer. Members of bands Aldargaz, Helsinki Melodeon Ladies, Accordion Tribe and Ramunder, Maria is as active and versatile as she is skilled and creative. New album AHMA now available (listen). Maria Kalaniemi homepages are maintained by her management company Hoedown, the address is http://www.hoedown.com/html/mariak.html

Värttinä

Finland's local heroes and one of the most exciting and adventurous contemporary roots-based bands anywhere. Latest album VIHMA (listen), which has received numerous Number One chart awards worldwide, is released worldwide on Wicklow Records/BMG. Värttinä home site is at Hoedown server http://www.hoedown.com/html/varttina.html.

Angelin Tytöt

The Girls of Angeli are bringing fresh approaches to the yoik. In addition to traditional yoiks handed down in the family, they have themselves composed and written both yoiks and a newer type of piece described as a yoik-song. Their repertoire also includes songs from more recent traditions. A performance by the Girls of Angeli is joyous and irresistible - yet the yoiks still have their traditional rough edges and a wealth of emotion. Angelin Tytöt can be found on musicfinland.com page http://www.musicfinland.com/arctic/angelin_tytot/.

Kimmo Pohjonen

Not really a folkie nowadays, although he does have some folk music roots, Kimmo's primary focus is an adventurous solo 5-row accordion show unlike anything seen before. Original compositions performed in dynamic and captivating visual style, incorporating effects, quadrophonic sound, lights and fiery intensity. Kimmo is a groundbreaking artist, an uncompromising figure in modern music. Debut solo album, KIELO, now available (listen). Hoedown manages Kimmo and his pages at http://www.hoedown.com/html/kimmo.htm

Piirpauke

25 years ago, when most people had never even heard about world music, much less heard it or played it, Sakari Kukko (saxophones, flutes, keyboards, percussion, vocals) started to do it with his band Piirpauke. Springing from the solid bottom of jazzy improvisation, rock'n'rolling attitude and the ancient echoes of Finnish folk melodies the band dived into the ocean that is the sum total of whole mankind's music. Roughly ten years ago Piirpauke trimmed down, for practical reasons, to the basic trio of Kukko, Andalusian singer/guitarist Cinta Hermo and Senegalese percussionist/singer Ismaila Sane from a sextet of two years. Piirpauke home page is at Latvis RockData, the address is http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~latvis/yhtyeet/piirpauke/index.html

Pekka Pohjola

Pekka Pohjola is without doubt one of the greatest electric bass players in Europe. He is a unique artist, whose music is appreciated by connoisseurs all over the world. People who have had a taste of his music, rate him as one of the major composers and musicians in popular music. He writes slowly, so new albums are rare and far apart. You do not have to be a fan of progressive rock, fusion or jazz rock to appreciate his majestic melody lines. All the info you need is at Latvis RockData site, at http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~latvis/yhtyeet/Pekka_Pohjola/index.html

Slobo Horo

In less troubled times, we would talk about Slobo Horo capturing the true essence of the fierce Balkan spirit. Or the fierce Turkish spirit. But things being as they are, we think we'd better emphasize that Slobo Horo is about 10-piece Finnish group of ethnic music experts whose horizons are much wider than would appear. Slobo Horo home page is at http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~latvis/yhtyeet/slobo.html.

Wimme Saari

Since the release of Wimme's first album in 1995, Wimme has become not only the critics' favourite but also the undisputed superstar of Sami music. Wimme has appeared in concerts all over Europe as well as in the USA, and the reviews have always been ecstatic. Wimme Saari has nice home page at RockData server, http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~latvis/yhtyeet/Wimme/index.html

Zetaboo

ZetaBoo introduce a unique mix of electric and ethnic sounds. Their highly energetic and original style includes meditative and sometimes hectic grooves combined with emotional human voices and fearless improvisation. ZetaBoo is Anna-Mari Kähärä (acc, voice), Pekka Lehti (bass), Jarmo Saari (gtr, voice, sampler) and Marko Timonen (drs). Zetaboo home site is right here at http://www.musicfinland.com/zetaboo/

Progmatics

In a few short years Progmatics have risen to the elite of modern Finnish folk music scene. The group that started in 1993 informally at jam sessions has grown to an official five man band, whose music injects new rhythms into a traditional yet innovative Finnish folk music sound, never forgetting the original jamming spirit. Musicfinland.com serves Progmatics at http://www.musicfinland.com/arctic/progmatics/