Finnish polka is everywhere !

FROM EAST TO WEST:
Loituma's popularity has gone international
Loituma, a band Timo Väänänen and Anita Lehtola-Tollin are the members of, released their first CD in 1995. Now, eleven years later, the most popular track of the CD, an acappella song called Ieva's Polka, has become a spontaneous internet hit. The popularity started from a flash animation in Russia. The Loituma video available at TVfolk.net or You Tube has been viewed by at least hudreds of thousands, probably more than a million people from all over the world. Dozens if not hudreds of remixes and video clips made by enthusiasts can be found from the internet. Ieva's Polka has also been licensed to several countries. There is also a Wikipedia article of the band in several languages.
Both American releases of Loituma CD:s can be found from Amazon or NorthSide, Loituma's American publisher. If you happen to be in Minneapolis in the end of September, Loituma will be performing live in the Nordic Roots Festival.

• article submitted by: Katja Bloigu, Different Level