Lapua-Uusi-Guinea

Lapua-Uusi-Guinea takes you on a musical journey evolving from cinematic Finnish folk fusion to playful melodic storytelling.

The contemporary folk sextet sings and plays original compositions as well as trad arrangements, both rooted in traditional Nordic dance rhythms spiced up with influences from jazz and world scenes. At a Lapua-Uusi-Guinea concert be prepared for a festive experience, full of touching beauty, playful energy, and pure joy of dancing. The band has played at most major Finnish folk music festivals and concert series (Kaustinen, Folklandia, Pispalan Sottiisi, Seurasaari Midsummer, Etno-Espa and more). Internationally Lapua-Uusi-Guinea has performed in Magyarpolány, Hungary as part of the Veszprém-Balaton 2023 European Capital for Culture programme.

Debut album Virittää was released in 2021 through the label Eclipse Music. 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.  The 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 band has finished recording its third album. The 13-minute trilogy suite Kauas was released on Midsummer Eve 2026, and the full album will arrive before the end of the year. Get ready for a Finnish folk fusion journey.

“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

• 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