OKRA PLAYGROUND

FINLAND

Okra Playground plays genuine electro folk where ancient folk instruments kantele and bowed lyre coexist in a new symbiosis with modern instruments and soundscapes. Strong vocal harmonies, big sound, age-old lyrics, hypnotic beats and mystical energy take the listener to far-off places and close to home.

On the second album Ääneni yli vesien (My Voice Over Waters, 2018 Nordic Notes) the traditional roots dig deep in Finnish soil, but the tallest branches spread out towards the furthest shores of world music and electro pop. The album was warmly received and reached top 3 at World Music Charts Europe and top 10 at Transglobal World Music Chart. Great expectations for the second album were set by Okra Playground’s debut album Turmio (2015), that gained praises in European media – for instance receiving a five star review in Songlines Magazine.

In 2016 Okra Playground performed at WOMEX among the Official Showcase Selection. Since then the band has charmed audiences at Rainforest World Music Festival in Malaysia, Brosella Folk & Jazz Festival in Belgium, urban Flow Festival in Finland and Celtic Connections in Scotland to name a few.

Okra Playground is:
Maija Kauhanen – vocals, kantele
Päivi Hirvonen – vocals, fiddle, bowed harp (jouhikko)
Essi Muikku – vocals, kantele
Sami Kujala – electric bass
Veikko Muikku – accordion, synthesizer
Oskari Lehtonen – percussion