Värttinä

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Interview : Lassi Logren from Värttinä

When and how was your band created?
The first version of Varttina was born in 1983. It was a small group of girls singing and playing kanetele in Raakkyla, in Finnish Karelia. Next year 2003 will be our 20th anniversary.

Was the choice to become professional difficult to make?
No it was not because it was natural step to make to become professional.
Some original members dropped out but the serious musicians stayed on and formed the "new" Varttina in 1989.

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
Well, every player that is or has been involved in Varttina. We have a great relationship, musically and socially, so we all influence each other.
Fiddlers that have influenced me are Ruthie Dornfelt from USA and Arto Jarvela from Finland's JPP group.

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician / singer (in Finland)?
The most negative thing is that there is such a small audience for folk music, but that also offers lots of challenges which keep the work interesting. Fortunately, we have many concerts abroad and many fans who seem to appreciate and understand our music.

How could you qualify your style of music?
I think my fiddle playing is rather percussive and strongly rhythmical. I have influences mainly from Scandinavian folk music and some from Irish and old time music. Varttina music is a style of our own invention. Elements from Finnish Karelia, in fact the deepest roots of our music is from there. But there are also elements from other worldly musics, for example, Irish, Balkan, American. What we do, though, when we compose and arrange, is to approach new songs in an organic way. I mean that we do not consciously try to add different foreign sounding elements to make a kind of fusion. On the contrary, these things are so deep within us already that they slip out naturally. Consequently, we think our music sounds genuine and honest, which of course, is the only way we want to operate.

Have you ever considered the possibilty to change totally your style of music? If so, what style of music would you choose?
We haven't thought about that, I think there isn't any reason for that. Our music progresses naturally anyway, so that each album sounds different than the previous and hopefully better. We make conscious effort to let the music develop and progress from natural evolution of the band's chemistry.
So far, we are entirely confident that we have succeeded. We hope the fans and listeners can hear that in the music.

What are stories/topics you tell/treat in your songs?
Many songs are based on old runo poems and songs, some deal with women's matters and stories, for example marriage, loneliness etc. But others, for example Kirsi's "Aijo" is more profound, about a crazy old forest man who casts a spell on a snake who has bitten him. There is a spiritual link between these old style songs and the new ones that we hope to illustrate when we make new albums. Past and present can have similar issues.

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
I particularly enjoy Linnun Mieli because the story gives a cozy feeling, the melody is great and it really grooves, rhythmically. Bit there are so many more. One thing I like about Varttina is that our songs are of so many varied styles but all seem to fit together.

Do you tour regularly? Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
We do tours and concerts yes... Personally, I prefer playing in front of live audience better than in studio. I think the other band members agree.
However, after we finish making a new album, we all are very happy with the results. Especially in the case of our next album entitled iki, which was the most exciting recording sessions we have ever done. We are extremely proud of the new album.

During the process of making an album, what is the moment that you prefer?
When a new tune is finally ready after a long process and the arrangement works
in the best way, that is the moment.

Why?
Because of the organic process in arranging. We all contribute and shape new songs together from the beginning. It is the only way we want to work and it is very rewarding for us as friends and musical colleagues.

What kind of music / What artists do you currently listen?
We all listen to many kinds of music: rock, pop, folk, Finnish folk music and pop music, worldly folk musics from all over. Jazz, modern music, dance music. I think this adds extra dimensions to our collaboration in playing and arranging together.

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song? Why?
Sorry but I can't answer that. There are so many.

Internet is something interesting for musicians because it gives them the opportunity to touch a larger audience but it is also a threat for them (regarding the copyrights). What is your opinion regarding this medium?
The internet world is still at the beginning of its journey so we just have to wait and see, but I believe it will be a marvelous thing after the little problems like the copyrights are solved. At least it enables us to be in closer contact with our fans.

Do you use computers or home studios during the process of making an album or a song?
No.

What are your actual and future projects?
Varttina's new studio album entitled iki and numerous concerts. We have our 20th Anniversary concerts in Helsinki scheduled for March 2003. Also there is talk of a project with a symphony orchestra.
Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2002