forum.varttina.com

757 · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 155 Location: Finland

Apparently they are not planning to replace the three with new members so Värttinä will have just six members from now on. It seems Janne and Markku leave the band for good and Antto takes a year off so maybe he returns later.

http://www.karjalainen.fi/scripts/edoris/edoris.dll?tem=lsearchart&search_iddoc=4744814

libertine · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 1:31 pm Post subject:

Oh well, what to say...

This is really bad news but at the same time, personnel changes have always been part of Värttinä's history, so I hope the band can handle this one as well.

Good luck in your future careers, Janne, Markku and Antto!

scott · Joined: 15 Dec 2001 Posts: 172 Location: New York City

Personnel changes are a fact of life with Värttinä. Janne has been part of the band from the beginning, so it's particularly sad to see him go. But I'm sure there will be replacements before long. Are they playing the latest round of shows with the band?

757 · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 155 Location: Finland

libertine · Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:37 pm Post subject:

Jussi · Joined: 04 Jun 2002 Posts: 241 Location: Finland

I think that, if they only take accordion and kantele to their instruments, music will be little bit poor sounded, when we have use to hear it so wide and multifunctional.
Mari Kaasinen can play also accordion =harmonikka, like she played it on Sirmakka times and in "The Old Värttinä".
Girls can start to practise mandolin, bouzoki and acoustic guitar Smile

But I will miss wind instrument, example sax, clarinet. Sad

libertine · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 2:02 pm Post subject:

Yeah I see what you mean, I will miss bouzouki and wind instruments too. But what I was excited about is that the girls themselves will play instruments again. I mean, I've heard so many times that they were great musicians too, but I could actually never hear them play any instrument. So I'm really looking forward to that.

I'm sure if the band feels that the music sounds "poor", they will invite some new musician(s) to join in. I think they just want to try how the band works without the "girls sing, boys play" model.

scott · Joined: 15 Dec 2001 Posts: 172 Location: New York City

Susan played accordion with the band the first time I saw them back in 1997. She's more than capable. I'm not sure they'll have a strong enough rhythm section with neither a guitar or bouzouki, though. A kantele could replace one of them, but not both.

Caribou · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 22 Location: Antwerp

it's earily silent around the band as far as i know ?

any news about newcomers or anything ?

the silence is starting to make me worry Värrtin*a is history Confused

libertine · Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 2:41 pm Post subject:

I must admit I'm getting a little worried too. At least Susan and Johanna seem to be more interested in Kuunkuiskaajat right now.

But Värttinä still have a few shows coming up in July and August, so maybe they're just having a break?

Vovche · Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Kiev, Ukraine

And there is no more blog on the official page anymore...
_________________
I love Varttina and Johanna Virtanen Rolling Eyes

scott · Joined: 15 Dec 2001 Posts: 172 Location: New York City

I didn't know about Kuunkuiskaajat. I'm glad to see that Susan and Johanna are keeping themselves busy, although I'm still hopeful Värttinä will come back bigger and better than ever.

Caribou · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 22 Location: Antwerp

Still very silent around the band.

My Finnish isn't all that good, but if i understand correctly the hosts asked about rumours of a split and Susan answers Värttinä is doing fine ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXAoDEbUbT8&feature=search

Of course, the interview was done before Kuunkuiskaajat made it to the Eurovision songfestival, and this meant a lot of promoworks. Maybe because of this Värttinä was given lower priority ?