Zäpämmät (Finland)

Zäpämmät is the duo of Finnish musicians Marjo Smolander and Pauliina Kauppila, formed out of a shared desire to explore their instruments and voices in new ways. Their sound brings together Smolander’s kantele, Finland’s traditional plucked string instrument, and Kauppila’s wide-ranging percussion, creating music that is both delicate and grounded. Drawing deeply from Finnish folk while incorporating influences from African and Cuban rhythms, Spanish flamenco, and more, the duo blends multicultural elements into their unique style. Zäpämmät has been recognized within Finland’s folk scene, named "Kantele Ensemble of the Year" in 2019 and selected for official showcases at numerous international festivals and events.

Featured Song:

“Mummoni” (My Grandmother), written by Smolander, was inspired by a 2017 journey through Eastern Europe, where she observed elderly women sitting quietly outside their homes. Their calm presence and attentiveness shaped the song, which she dedicates to “the silent wisdom of our grandmothers.” Smolander and Kauppila sing, “In your hands, in your hands, I carry the most beautiful, the most fragrant sauna whisk / On your face, on your face, I draw the long fields of the yard, the eternal worries of a mother / My grandmother / Babushka.”

Artist Website

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