(Finland) It's been over twenty years since the Finnish folk music renaissance hit these shores, and Varttina was one of its first ambassadors. The band has been through many changes in its front row lineup, but the new configuration has also seen a smoothing out of the old sound. When Varttina first started out, the sound was fairly raw - there were six girls up front singing in mighty chest tones, mostly in unison, with some striking harmonies and dissonances.  While some of that is still present, Varttina has done some considerable mellowing out and  "Tuulen Tunto" is positively sweet.

(Finland) It's been over twenty years since the Finnish folk music renaissance hit these shores, and Varttina was one of its first ambassadors. The band has been through many changes in its front row lineup, but the new configuration has also seen a smoothing out of the old sound. When Varttina first started out, the sound was fairly raw - there were six girls up front singing in mighty chest tones, mostly in unison, with some striking harmonies and dissonances.  While some of that is still present, Varttina has done some considerable mellowing out and  "Tuulen Tunto" is positively sweet.