Finnish Folk Music Bands You Need to Know About
Contents
Finnish folk music has a long history and a rich tradition. There are many great Finnish folk music bands that you can enjoy today. Here are just a few of them.
Finnish Folk Music Bands
Finnish folk music has a long and rich history, dating back hundreds of years. In more recent years, a number of folk music bands have emerged from Finland, making a name for themselves both nationally and internationally. If you’re a fan of folk music, here are a few Finnish bands you need to know about.
Värttinä
Värttinä is a Finnish folk music band that was started in 1983 by a group of young women in the city of Rääkkylä. The band has since released 13 albums, toured extensively, and won numerous awards. Known for their energetic live shows, Värttinä has been credited with helping to revive interest in Finnish folk music.
Frigg
Frigg is a Finnish folk music band that was founded in 1999. The band’s music is based on the traditional Finnish pentatonic scale, and their instruments include the kantele, fiddle, accordion, bagpipes, and drums. Frigg has won several awards, including the Finnish Grammy Award for Best Folk Album in 2007.
JPP
JPP is a Finnish folk music band that was founded in 2001. The band’s music is based on the traditional music of the Finnish people, and they often use traditional instruments like the kantele (a type of zither) and the jouhikko (a type of bowed lyre). JPP has won several awards, and their music has been featured in films and TV shows.
The Music
Finnish folk music has a long and rich history, dating back centuries. Music was an important part of everyday life, used for work, leisure and ceremony. Traditional folk music was passed down orally from generation to generation, and most bands today still play the traditional tunes.
The Instruments
Finnish folk music is a genre of music that represents the musical traditions of Finland. It has roots in the music of the Karelian people, a Finnic ethnic group inhabiting Karelia, a region in northwestern Russia. Finnish folk music draws influences from Swedish, Sámi, and Russian music. The most common instruments used in Finnish folk music are the kantele (a plucked string instrument with many variants), the fiddle, various types of accordions, and the ocarina-like “jouhikko” (literally “bowing lyre”).
The Songs
Music has always been an important part of Finnish culture. From the traditional songs of the Karelian people to the contemporary beats of Finnish hip hop, music is a central part of life in Finland.
Finnish folk music has a long history and is still very popular today. There are many different regional styles of folk music, and each has its own unique sound.
Some of the most popular Finnish folk music bands include:
Värttinä
Värttinä is a Finnish folk music band that was formed in 1984. The band combines elements of traditional Finnish folk music with modern influences such as rock and jazz. Värttinä has released 11 albums, and their music has been featured in several films and TV shows.
Alda Sigmundsdóttir & Niekdekoet
Alda Sigmundsdóttir is a Icelandic singer and kantele player who teamed up with Dutch accordionist Niekdekoet to create beautiful arrangements of traditional Finnish folk songs. The duo’s debut album, “Kalevala Dreams”, was released in 2016.
Krisse Salmela & The Islanders
Krisse Salmela is a Swedish-Finnish singer-songwriter who performs with her band, The Islanders. The band’s music is a mix of Swedish folk and Americana influences. Krisse Salmela & The Islanders have released two albums, “Tales from the Isles” (2016) and “Island Songs” (2018).
The Styles
Folk music is music by and for the people. It is often passed down through generations, and sometimes even centuries. Folk music has always been a part of Finnish culture, and there are many different Finnish folk music bands that keep the tradition alive.
Folk music can be divided into two main categories: light music and dark music. Light music is typically more upbeat and cheerful, while dark music is usually more melancholy and introspective. There are also many sub-genres of folk music, such as wedding music, work songs, Sea shanties, and so on.
Some of the most popular Finnish folk music bands include:
Värttinä
Värttinä is a nine-member band from Finland that plays traditional light folk music. They are known for their high-energy live performances, and their albums have won multiple Grammy Awards.
Kuningaslaulu
Kuningaslaulu is a five-piece band that specializes in dark Finnish folk music. Their name means “king’s song” in Finnish, and they often sing about topics such as death, war, and love.
Metsatöll
Metsatöll is a six-piece metal band that combines elements of Finnish folk music with heavy metal. They are one of the most popular metal bands in Finland, and their songs often deal with topics such as nature, mythology, and Estonian history.
Troka
Troka is a duo that plays a mix of light and dark folk music. They are known for their use of traditional instruments such as the kantele (a type of zither) and the jouhikko (a bowed lyre).
The History
Finnish Folk music has been around for centuries, with the first band recorded in the 13th century. The music has been handed down from generation to generation, and the bands you’ll find today are keeping the tradition alive. If you’re a fan of folk music, or just looking to discover something new, check out these Finnish folk music bands.
The Origins
Finnish folk music has its roots in the music of the Finnish people who settled in what is now Finland from the east and the south during the first millennium AD. The variety and influences of Finnish folk music was greatly influenced by the country’s geography and history. For example, the music of the nomadic Sami people, who have inhabited northern Finland for centuries, has been influenced by Swedish, Norwegian and Russian folk music.
The Development
Finnish folk music has undergone a revival in recent years, with new bands formed to play traditional tunes and updated versions of old songs. Here are a few of the most popular Finnish folk music bands that you should know about.
The development of Finnish folk music has been shaped by the country’s history and geography. Finland is a relatively young country, having only been established as an independent state in 1917. Prior to this, it was ruled by Sweden and then Russia, and its music reflects these influences. For example, the Swedish influence can be heard in the use of harmoniums and polkas, while the Russian influence is evident in the use of accordions and balalaikas. Geographically, Finland is divided into two main regions: the western region of Finland, known as Ostrobothnia, and the eastern region, known as Karelia. Each region has its own distinct musical traditions
The Modern Era
Since the early 2000s, there has been a revival of interest in Finnish folk music, with many young musicians taking up the genre. This has led to a new wave of Finnish folk music bands that are gaining popularity both in Finland and abroad. Here are some of the most notable Finnish folk music bands of the modern era:
Värttinä
Värttinä is a Finnish folk music band that was formed in 1984. The band is known for its unique sound, which combines elements of traditional Finnish folk music with rock and jazz. Värttinä has released 11 studio albums and have toured extensively throughout Europe and North America.
Niskalaukaus
Niskalaukaus is a Finnish folk metal band that was formed in 1999. The band combines elements of traditional Finnish folk music with heavy metal to create a unique and powerful sound. Niskalaukaus has released 5 studio albums and have toured extensively throughout Europe and North America.
Korpiklaani
Korpiklaani is a Finnish folk metal band that was formed in 2003. The band’s sound combines elements of traditional Finnish folk music with heavy metal, resulting in a fast-paced and aggressive style of music. Korpiklaani has released 9 studio albums and have toured extensively throughout Europe and North America.
The Future
Since the late 1990s, there has been a resurgence in Finnish folk music. This has led to the formation of many new bands that are keeping the tradition alive. Some of these bands are even starting to gain international recognition. Here are a few of the most promising Finnish folk music bands you need to know about.
The Popularity
The folk music scene in Finland is thriving, with new bands popping up all the time. Here are some of the most popular Finnish folk music bands you need to know about.
Värttinä
Värttinä is a Finnish folk music band that was formed in 1983. The band has won multiple Grammy Awards and their music has been featured in several films and TV shows. Värttinä is known for their energetic live shows and their unique blend of traditional Finnish folk music with rock and pop influences.
Nordic Notes
Nordic Notes is a Finnish-Swedish folk music duo that was formed in 2014. The duo consists of fiddler Annika Nyberg and nyckelharpa player Johan Hederos. Nordic Notes’ music draws from both traditional Swedish and Finnish folk music, as well as more modern influences like jazz and pop.
Fiila
Fiila is a Finnish folk music band that was formed in 2010. The band’s sound is based on traditional Finnish polskas, but with a modern twist. Fiila’s music has been featured on multiple TV shows and they have won several awards, including the prestigious Nordic Council Music Prize.
The Trends
Finnish folk music is undergoing a resurgence in popularity, with a new generation of bands taking up the torch. Here are five of the most exciting Finnish folk music bands you need to know about.
1. Värttinä
Värttinä are one of the pioneers of the Finnish folk music scene, and their unique sound has earned them international acclaim. Their music is heavily influenced by the traditional music of the Karelian region, and they often use traditional instruments like the kantele and jouhikko in their recordings.
2. Frigg
Frigg are another well-established Finnish folk band, who have been performing together for over two decades. They take their inspiration from a wide range of traditional music styles, including Swedish Polska and Norwegian Hardingfele tunes.
3. Wimme
Wimme is a solo artist who has been at the forefront of the Finnish folk music scene since the early 1990s. His music combines traditional Yoik singing with modern electronic elements, creating a unique and atmospheric sound.
4. Kaukasisali Combo
Kaukasisali Combo are a relatively new band, but they’re already making waves in the Finnish folk music scene. Their debut album ‘Kalmukia’ was released to critical acclaim in 2016, and they’ve been described as “one of the most interesting new bands in Finland”.
5. Niskalaukaus
The Growth
Folk music has been on the rise in popularity in recent years, and Finnish folk music is no exception. More and more people are interested in traditional Finnish music, and there are a number of great Finnish folk music bands that are worth checking out. Here are just a few of the up-and-coming Finnish folk music bands that you should know about.
Värttinä
Värttinä is a Finnish folk music band that was formed in 1983. The band has won multiple awards, and their music has been featured in film and TV. Värttinä’s music is heavily influenced by the traditional kantele, and their sound is truly unique. If you’re looking for some great Finnish folk music, Värttinä is a band that you definitely need to check out.
Kerava
Kerava is another great Finnish folk music band worth checking out. The band was formed in 2002, and they have released three albums of original material. Kerava’s sound is based around the jouhikko, a traditional Finnish instrument that produces a beautiful, otherworldly sound. If you’re looking for something truly unique, Kerava is definitely a band worth checking out.
Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble
This ensemble was formed in 2007, and they have quickly become one of the most popular Finnish bands around. The ensemble combines traditional Finnish instruments with West African influences to create a sound that is truly unique. If you’re looking for something different, Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble is definitely a band worth checking out.
