10 Questions with Womad 2020 performers Tuuletar

Tuuletar will play at Womad next year. Photo / Supplied

Set to perform in New Zealand at Womad 2020, Tuuletar have taken a novel approach to traditional Finnish folk music, with their 'vocal folk hop' earning them a Finnish Emma award (the equivalent to a Grammy). We meet a group very excited about music, Womad and New Zealand.

Tell us who you are and where you're from.

We are Tuuletar, mystical and crazy vocal performance group from Finland.

Describe your sound in one sentence.

Irrationally piercing vocal fireworks.

What do you think is the key thing Womad festival artists have in common?

The artists represent quality, originality, diversity and spirit.

Which of your songs is your favourite to perform live?

Kohma (Frost) is definitely our baby. We composed this song in 2014 and have been performing it since. It has something magical about it. In all, it's simplicity the song captures so much emotion and has like a force of nature of its own. We composed this song collectively and almost by accident during a warm-up session so we feel that it captures the pure essence of Tuuletar as well.

What can the audience expect from your show?

Deep emotions, fierce energy, northern tribalism and mystical sonic landscapes. The Finnish language will offer some excitement as well and our wild improvised rap battle with the poems from Finnish national epic Kalevala is always a 'through the universe' experience.

What was your first reaction to knowing you'd be playing at Womad New Zealand?

Screaming, shouting, jumping for joy. An absolute dream come true for all of us.

What does success as a musician mean to you?

Success can be measured in so many ways ... It is an absolutely amazing feeling to be able to travel and see the world and share our music and culture with people from all over the globe, this really gives perspective and increases our inner appreciation for everything we do. It is wonderful to be able to influence people's lives and be able to connect with other cultures through art and music. It is priceless when we perform for children and can make them understand how versatile instrument a human voice can be and that everyone has their own unique voice that is expressive and important in this world.

What would you tell a young person wanting to be a successful musician?

I have to quote Cinderella here! "Have courage and be kind. For where there is kindness there is goodness, and where there is goodness there is magic." Believe in your own magic and respect others!

Who or what excites you most about music right now?

Well, there are great Finnish contemporary folk musicians. We love bands Suistamon Sähkö and Pekko Käppi & K.H.H.L. from Finland but also the Canadian trio The East Pointers and their album has been a big hit in our tour bus.

You can only fit one album by another artist on your device - what is it?

Well, let's stick to East Pointers. Their album What We Leave Behind is brilliant!

• Womad is a three-day festival of world music, arts and dance to be held TSB Bowl of Brooklands, Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, from March 13-15.