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Loituma
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Loituma is a Finnish quartet whose members combine the Finnish vocal tradition with the sounds of the kantele. Loituma were selected Ensemble of the Year at the 1997 Kaustinen Folk Music Festival.
Key Information
History
[edit]Loituma's initial incarnation was in the autumn of 1989 as a septet called Jäykkä Leipä ("Stiff Bread"), born in the Sibelius Academy's Folk music department. The original lineup included singers Sanna Kurki-Suonio and Tellu Paulasto, who later left for Sweden to join Hedningarna.
Over the years, the group has persistently followed its own musical path, incorporating diverse influences into its music. One of the cornerstones of Finnish folk music is the art of singing, through which the stories and feelings which comprise aspects of the Finnish heritage are conveyed, aided by backing musicians Martti Pokela and Toivo Alaspää. Another cornerstone of Loituma's art is a Finnish folk instrument called the kantele, which is featured in varied ways in their recordings.
Loituma members compose or arrange the tunes themselves, but often use improvisation. Lyrics come from many sources, including two main traditional sources: the Kalevala, the national epic of Finland; and the Kanteletar (Lönnrot's collection of Finnish folk poetry). The lyrics are in Finnish.
Loituma gained great popularity[1] in 2006 when the Loituma Girl (also known as Leekspin), a looped flash animation of an anime girl Orihime Inoue from the Bleach series twirling a leek, set to a scat singing section of "Ievan polkka" from Loituma's 1995 debut album Things of Beauty,[2] was posted in Russian LiveJournal. The animation instantly became an Internet phenomenon and the song clip soon enjoyed overwhelming popularity as a ringtone.[3]
Band members
[edit]- Anita Lehtola-Tollin — vocals, 5-string kantele
- Hanni-Mari Autere — vocals, fiddle, 5-string kantele, alto recorder, double bass, Lapin drum
- Sari Kauranen — kanteles, vocals
- Timo Väänänen — kanteles, vocals
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]- Loituma (released in Finland in 1995) / Things of Beauty (released in the United States in 1998)
- Kuutamolla (released in Finland in 1998) / In the Moonlight (released in United States in 1999)
Singles
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| GER [4] | |||
| "Ieva's polka" | 2007 | 48 | Loituma |
References
[edit]- ^ "Web Search interest: Loituma, folk music - Worldwide, 2004 - present". Google Trends. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
- ^ Werman, Marco (18 August 2006). "Global Hit". The World. Public Radio International. Archived from the original (radio) on 2006-10-01. Retrieved 18 August 2006.
- ^ Russian meme and cultural phenomena wiki Lurkmore - Yak Zup Zop article
- ^ "Discographie von – Loituma" [Loituma – Discography]. Offizielle Deutsche Charts (in German). Retrieved 5 December 2020.
External links
[edit]| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
Loituma
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History
Formation and early years
Loituma was formed in the autumn of 1989 at the Folk Music Department of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland, initially as a septet named Jäykkä Leipä, meaning "Stiff Bread" in Finnish.[1][5] The group consisted of students exploring traditional Finnish folk music, with key founding members including vocalists Sanna Kurki-Suonio and Tellu Turkka.[5] In the early 1990s, specifically in 1992, the ensemble transitioned into a quartet and adopted the name Loituma, inspired by a scenic lake in southeastern Finland, to better suit international audiences while emphasizing Finnish vocal traditions and the kantele, a traditional Finnish plucked string instrument.[1] The quartet's early activities centered on performances featuring original compositions alongside folk songs and schlagers, often in collaboration with kantele expert Martti Pokela.[1] Their growing reputation led to recognition as Band of the Year at the 1997 Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, a prestigious event in the Finnish folk scene.[5] The band's debut album, titled Loituma, was released in 1995 in Finland, showcasing their blend of vocal harmonies and kantele arrangements.[6] This recording was later reissued in the United States in 1998 under the title Things of Beauty by the NorthSide label, marking their initial foray into broader markets.[7][5]Breakthrough and international recognition
Loituma's breakthrough began in 1997 when the band was selected as Band of the Year at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, Finland's premier event for traditional music, which garnered initial attention from international folk music circles and paved the way for expanded European performances.[5][2] This recognition highlighted their innovative fusion of Finnish vocal traditions and instrumentation, drawing invitations for tours across Germany in 1997 and Denmark at the EBU Festival in 1996, marking their transition from domestic scenes to broader continental exposure.[2] The band's second album, Kuutamolla, released in Finland in 1998, solidified their growing profile with its ethereal arrangements of traditional tunes, earning praise for blending ancient folk elements with contemporary subtlety.[8] This work was reissued internationally as In the Moonlight in the United States in 1999 by the NorthSide label, introducing Loituma to American audiences and facilitating features in outlets like The New York Times.[9][5][2] The album's success prompted extensive touring in the late 1990s, including stops in Central Europe (such as Belgium and Holland in 1999), the USA and Germany in 2000, as well as additional performances in Sweden and Denmark, where they captivated diverse crowds with live renditions emphasizing vocal harmony and kantele playing.[2] A pivotal moment in Loituma's international recognition came in 2006 with the viral online spread of their scat-singing version of the traditional Finnish folk song "Ievan Polkka," featured in the animated meme known as Loituma Girl, which rapidly circulated across internet forums and early video platforms.[3] This unexpected digital phenomenon exposed the track to millions worldwide, significantly boosting streams and renewing interest in the band's catalog without prompting a full-scale revival, as members pursued individual projects amid the group's informal hiatus.[3][2] The meme's enduring popularity, while rooted in internet culture, underscored "Ievan Polkka"'s global appeal and cemented Loituma's place in contemporary folk music history.[3]Later career and hiatus
Following the surge in international attention from the 2006 internet meme featuring their rendition of "Ievan polkka," Loituma released a single version of the track in early 2007, which included remixes and peaked at number 48 on the German singles chart.[10][11] This release capitalized on the meme's viral spread, marking one of the band's final commercial outputs.[3] After 2008, Loituma significantly reduced its group activities, with members shifting focus to individual music pursuits on a full-time or part-time basis.[1] The quartet, which had been active since 1989, held its last official concert that year, after which no new studio material or public tours were produced. In 2024, a new music video for "Ievan Polkka," directed by Elina Oikari, was released.[3] Members maintained contact and occasionally performed together at private events, but the band adopted an official inactive status as confirmed on their website.[1] As of 2025, Loituma remains inactive, with no announcements of reunions or further releases.[2]Musical style
Vocal techniques and instrumentation
Loituma operates as a quartet, blending a cappella singing with instrumental accompaniment centered on the kantele, a traditional Finnish zither that serves as their primary instrument.[5] The group's vocal style features four-part unaccompanied harmonies, drawing from Finnish folk traditions to create polyphonic textures that emphasize layered, interwoven voices.[5] These vocals often incorporate scat singing and improvisation, allowing for spontaneous rhythmic and melodic variations during performances.[5] Performances typically feature singing in Finnish or regional dialects, enhancing the cultural authenticity of their sound.[12] In addition to the kantele—played in both standard and 5-string variants—the ensemble utilizes a range of traditional instruments to complement their vocals.[13] These include the violin for melodic lines, the alto recorder for airy tones, the double bass for rhythmic foundation, and the Sámi drum for percussive accents.[5] Specific members handle multiple roles: for instance, Hanni-Mari Autere contributes vocals alongside violin, 5-string kantele, alto recorder, double bass, and Sámi drum, while others like Sari Kauranen and Timo Väänänen focus on kantele and vocals, and Anita Lehtola on vocals and 5-string kantele.[5] This setup enables a versatile, intimate sound that merges vocal purity with subtle instrumentation. Live performances highlight the group's emphasis on improvisation, where vocal traditions intertwine with percussive elements from the Sámi drum to build dynamic energy.[5] The harmonious vocals, described as soft and enchanting, revive Finnish cultural roots through contemporary arrangements that retain traditional essence.[13]Influences and themes
Loituma's music draws deeply from Finnish folk traditions, with lyrics frequently sourced from the Kalevala, the national epic compiled by Elias Lönnrot in 1835 and expanded in 1849, and the Kanteletar, Lönnrot's 1840 collection of ancient Finnish folk poetry. These works form the foundation of the band's repertoire, preserving runo songs—ancient oral poems in trochaic tetrameter that evoke Finland's mythological and cultural heritage. For instance, the song "Eriskummainen kantele" (My Kantele) directly adapts text from the Kanteletar, lamenting the enchanting yet elusive sounds of the traditional Finnish zither.[14] The band's arrangements incorporate ancient runes through runo singing techniques, polka rhythms as in their adaptation of the traditional "Ievan polkka," and shamanistic elements, such as evocations of Sámi drum rituals that symbolize spiritual journeys in northern indigenous practices.[1] These influences reflect a broader engagement with pre-Christian Finnish and Finno-Ugric shamanism, where music serves as a bridge to ancestral spirits and natural forces.[1] Loituma blends these traditional elements with modern improvisation, creating arrangements that prioritize creative interpretation over rigid historical revivalism.[1] Their original compositions and adaptations often explore themes of nature's rhythms, folklore's mystical narratives, and the rhythms of everyday rural life in Finland, portraying landscapes, seasonal cycles, and communal stories with a sense of timeless intimacy. This style persisted in later adaptations, including a 2023 rerecording of "Ievan Polkka."[3][1] This thematic focus underscores a commitment to evoking the emotional and cultural essence of Finnish identity without literal replication of historical forms.[1]Band members
Current members
Loituma's core membership consists of a stable quartet that evolved from the band's original septet formed in 1989 and remained active through their official period until 2008.[5][1] Sari Kauranen serves as a founding member, providing vocals and playing the kantele, with a focus on the instrument's harmonic elements in the group's arrangements.[5] Anita Lehtola-Tollin, also a founding member who joined in the band's early formation, handles lead vocals and the 5-string kantele; her contributions were pivotal in Loituma's international releases.[5][15] Hanni-Mari Autere contributes vocals along with a wide array of instruments, including fiddle, 5-string kantele, alto recorder, double bass, and Lapin drum; she is particularly recognized for her improvisational scat singing in the band's rendition of "Ievan Polkka," which gained viral fame.[1][16] Timo Väänänen, another founding member, provides kantele and backing vocals, laying the rhythmic groundwork for Loituma's folk ensembles.[5][1] Following the band's hiatus in 2008, all members have pursued individual music careers, with some completing advanced studies in ethnomusicology, though they released a new recording of "Ievan polkka" in 2023.[1][17]Former members
Sanna Kurki-Suonio was a founding vocalist of Loituma, joining in 1989 as part of the original septet formed at the Sibelius Academy. She contributed to the band's early repertoire and is credited as composer for the opening track "Kuu" on their self-titled debut album released in 1995. Kurki-Suonio departed in the late 1990s to focus on her solo career, releasing her first solo album Musta in 1998.[6][18] Tellu Turkka (also known as Tellu Paulasto) served as a vocalist and violinist in Loituma's initial lineup from 1989 to 1991. As an original member, she participated in the group's formative performances during its transition from a seven-piece ensemble to a quartet in the early 1990s. Turkka left shortly after this restructuring to pursue other musical endeavors.[19][5]Discography
Studio albums
Loituma's debut studio album, Loituma, was released in Finland in 1995 by Humppa Records. The album consists of 13 tracks drawing from traditional Finnish folk songs, adapted with the group's characteristic multi-part vocal arrangements and kantele accompaniment. Key tracks include "Ievan polkka" (Ieva's Polka), a lively polka that became one of the band's signature pieces. The record highlights early folk adaptations, emphasizing melodic vocal interplay and the resonant tones of the kantele. A reissue titled Things of Beauty followed in the United States in 1998 via NorthSide Records, broadening the band's international exposure. The track listing for Loituma / Things of Beauty is as follows:| No. | Title (English translation) | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eriskummainen kantele (The Peculiar Kantele) | 3:42 |
| 2 | Kultaansa ikävöivä (Missing My Beloved) | 4:24 |
| 3 | Ievan polkka (Ieva's Polka) | 2:46 |
| 4 | Menuetti (Minuet) | 3:09 |
| 5 | Viimesen kerran (The Very Last Time) | 3:12 |
| 6 | Laululintu (Songbird) | 3:28 |
| 7 | Tähdet (The Stars) | 3:36 |
| 8 | Kultakello (Golden Bell) | 2:47 |
| 9 | Häävalssi (Wedding Waltz) | 3:40 |
| 10 | Yökyntö (Night Work) | 3:47 |
| 11 | Varpunen (The Sparrow) | 2:55 |
| 12 | Kohtaus (Encounter) | 4:02 |
| 13 | Mustarastas (Black Thrush) | 3:11 |
| No. | Title (English translation) | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hiekkarantakuhertelua (Courting on the Sandy Beach) | 3:43 |
| 2 | Tähden lentäessä (When the Star is Falling) | 5:04 |
| 3 | Kultaansa kuuleva (Hearing His Beloved) | 3:50 |
| 4 | Laulu laiskana pitävi (Singing Keeps You Lazy) | 3:32 |
| 5 | Nuustielle (Back to Sniff Road) | 2:36 |
| 6 | Utu (Haze) | 4:24 |
| 7 | Inttäjäispolska (Wasp Polka) | 3:13 |
| 8 | Menuetti (Minuet) | 3:22 |
| 9 | Mikaelin kirkonkellot (Michael's Church Bells) | 3:03 |
| 10 | Kuutamolla kahden (Two in the Moonlight) | 4:08 |
| 11 | Salaisia kyyneleitä (Secret Tears) | 3:49 |