Aallotar

A transatlantic collaboration that uses Finnish and Finnish-American music as a starting point for an original ‘chamber-folk’ style.
Ancestors of Sara Pajunen and Teija Niku lived within hours of each other in western Finland – speaking the same language, playing the same music, living the same culture. In the late 19th century, Pajunen’s ancestors emigrated to northern Minnesota; Niku’s family remained in Finland. Today, they explore a common heritage in Finnish folk music, even as they create new sounds that reflect their contemporary cultures and various interests.
Pajunen is a violinist, and Niku and accordionist; their lithe instrumentals and beautiful vocal harmonies in both Finnish and English demonstrate how gracefully traditional and modern folk music can speak together.
Aallotar has performed throughout the United States and at European festivals, including Kaustinen Folk Music Festival and Sounds of the North in Gdansk, Poland.