Lapua-Uusi-Guinea

The contemporary folk sextet Lapua-Uusi-Guinea sings and plays original compositions as well as trad arrangements, both firmly rooted in traditional Finnish and Scandinavian dance rhythms spiced up with flavours from pop music, European classical tradition, jazz, West African & British isles’ musics. Lapua-Uusi-Guinea is prepared to offer its audience an experience full of beauty, energy, introspection, longing and joy of dancing.

Lapua-Uusi-Guinea’s sophomore album Taklax/Remix was released in October 2023. It consists fully of the band’s reimagined arrangements of fiddle tunes played by the legendary Finnish-Swedish fiddler Johan Erik Taklax (1856–1948). The arrangements collide Ostrobothnian spelman tradition with influences from western and southern Africa, Baroque music, Celtic and Iberian traditions, Scandinavian jazz, tango nuevo, rock and Erik Satie. Four of the tunes were later literally remixed by electronic music artists Junna, Taui, Hartiamon and Lukas Kristo on the EP release Taklaxremixremix (2024)

Debut album “Virittää” was released in 2021 through the label Eclipse Music. The first print was sold out, the album peaked at #14 in Roots Music Report’s world music list, and the tracks received radio airplay around Europe as well as in the United States.

• Anna Kinnunen – fiddle, lead vocals
• Oona Yliperttula – fiddle, backing vocals
• Santeri Kaipiainen – piano, backing vocals
• Viivi Maria Saarenkylä – accordion, backing vocals
• Jiipee Jyväsjärvi – guitar, cittern
• Veli-Matti Silanterä – double bass

“Some of the best I’ve heard after the pandemic.”

–Thomas Fahlander, Lira

“While the instrumental arrangements are the core of their sound, vocal parts show up in about half the tracks, and are superbly done, whether solo or lushly harmonized. Virittää is highly recommended for fans of sophisticated acoustic music, especially those with an interest in Nordic folk.”

–Jon Davis, Exposé

“The piano has equal footing with violins and accordion, and its bright addition lifts the tunes yet a notch higher. Different instruments are equally given enough space, which has a positive effect on the whole soundscape.”

–Antti Janka-Murros, Kansanmusiikki