In 1990, events took a dramatic turn: several original members left to pursue other interests and the core members, Sari & Mari Kaasinen, Janne Lappalainen and Kirsi Kähkönen formed a new band, recruiting some of Finland's top players in the roots and rock scene.
Enter Värttinä phase two and a startling new direction: five effervescent young ladies bursting with vocal energy, fueled by a powerhouse acoustic band. The group's repertoire diversified even further into Finno-Ugric territory, borrowing tunes, poems, songs and ideas from women's singing traditions of Setuland, Mariland, Ingria and other areas. Equally as important, if not moreso, was the emergence of original compositions and lyrics from group members, providing new dimensions to the band's character and clearly showing that Värttinä had risen to a new level of sophistication. In performance, the focus shifted to a more "rock/pop" approach, presenting Finno-Ugric musical tradition in ways never before conceived. The girls' voices, having matured greatly since the early days, were the forefront of the group's sound and the band delivered rousing acoustic accompaniment.

In 1991 the new Värttinä released the groundbreaking "Oi Dai" album, which became an instant smash hit, propelling Värttinä to the status of household name. "Oi Dai", a fun, frenetic fusion of folk and rock, was the biggest folk music phenomenon in twenty years and has today been certified Platinum seller. Foreign interest in the band came quickly and Värttinä found themselves touring and performing extensively throughout Europe, suddenly becoming the talk of the European "world music" community.

Successor to "Oi Dai" was 1992's excellent "Seleniko", produced by Hijaz Mustapha, which immediately entered the European World Music radio charts at the Number One position and remained there for three straight months. The Finnish single "Kyla Vuotti Uutta Kuuta", ("The Village Awaits the New Moon") became a hit among fans and has remained a stage favourite worldwide.

The chart success of "Seleniko" attracted global attention. The band continued with foreign performances including a showcase headliner at the SXSW Music & Media Convention in Austin, Texas, a tour of Benelux and appearances at Rudolstadt Festival in Germany and Glastonbury Festival in England. Värttinä also released their first video, the Seleniko track "Pihi Neito". At the end of 1993, Värttinä embarked on their first US tour, selling out eight concerts and gathering piles of rave reviews.

In '94, Värttinä recorded their fifth album, "Aitara", featuring mostly original compositions and drummer. Instantly upon release, "Aitara" entered the World Music Charts Europe at Number Five and was picked "Album of the Week" at Multi Kulti radio, Berlin. 1994 highlights included a live spot on European television with Baaba Maal and Angelique Kidjo in MTV's anti-racism video competition "Prize of Europe".

The distinctive Värttinä voices began to attract demand from musicians abroad and the singers engaged in extra-curricular activities including Hector Zazou's "Songs from the Cold Seas" and Maggie Reilly's "Elena" album.

Highlights for 1996 included a showcase slot at MIDEM, in Cannes, with Dadawa (China) and I Muvrini (Corsica), a 1000 seat sell out at Festival Interceltico in Oporto, Portugal, their third tour of Benelux, two sold out shows with Leningrad Cowboys at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London (including live interviews on the BBC radio program Kaleidoscope), an opening slot with Björk at Pori Jazz Festival in Finland and the summer mini-tour of North America, including an opening performance for Joan Armatrading at the Edmonton Folk Festival, with an audience of 10000. Then it was off to Germany where Värttinä participated in the WDR Folk Festival in Bonn, including a live television broadcast on WDR, then continuing to the Lowlands Festival in Holland.

In October, Värttinä's sixth album "Kokko" was released. Critical acclaim included: European World Music Radio Charts at Number Two. "CD of the Month" in Lift Music Magazine, Germany. "Album of the Month" in Stereo Review magazine, USA, Number Two position on CMJ World Music radio charts in USA. Concert highlights included Fasching Club, Stockholm, their fourth tour of Benelux, first tour of Germany, US east coast dates including St. Anne's Cathedral in Brooklyn, first tour of Australia followed by a packed house at Tokyo's famed Club Quattro, Azene Unnepe Festival in Budapest, Voix Festival in Germany, Pirineos Sur and La Mar de Musicas Festivals in Spain, Galician tour, Dranouter Festival in Belgium, Water Festival in Stockholm, WOMAD Canarias Festival and the Barbican Center in London.

1998 began with two concerts at Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow: one with Maria Kalaniemi & Aldargaz, the other a packed house at the Fruitmarket with Carlos Nuñez. Summer highlights included a headline performance at Europa Sziget festival in Budapest and the Värttinä 15 Year Anniversary concert at Kihaus Festival in Rääkkylä, Finland. Gigs and tours in Spain, Germany, Benelux and then to Japan for a one week tour, including Osaka, Toyama and a return engagement at Tokyo's Club Quattro.

Värttinä's seventh album, "Vihma", features the co-production talents of New York musician Richard Horowitz, known for his work with singer Susan Deyhim and on various filmscores including The Sheltering Sky. Special guests include Finnish fiddling stars JPP and throat singers from the electric Tuvan group Yat-Kha. - Accordionist Markku Lepistö joins Värttinä. Susan Aho moves to the front line of singers.

"Vihma" entered the European World Music Radio Charts at Number One. In USA, the album reached Number One in the CMJ New World radio charts. "Vihma" is voted "Best Album of 1998" (in a three way tie) in the Rock/Pop category of Adlib magazine in Japan and "Top Ten World Music Album of 1998" from Music Magazine of Japan. - Singer/lyricist Sirpa Reiman leaves Värttinä to be a full-time mother. Replacement vocalist is Riikka Väyrynen who also sings with the Adiemus project.

1999: Tours of Italy, Spain and North America, including Winnipeg Festival, Festival d'ete International de Quebec, Central Park Summer Stage and a slot at the ET Jam festival in Prague, with Suzanne Vega, Bryan Adams, Alanis Morrisette and Crash Test Dummies. Internationally televised Sopot festival performance in Poland on August 20, including a collaboration with the Bulgarian Choir Angelite. - In December, Värttinä returned to Finnvox studios, Helsinki, to record their eighth album, entitled Ilmatar ("Goddess of Air" in Finnish folklore). Producer is Frenchman Hughes de Courson, known for his work with Malicorne, Kolinda, Spondo, Lambarena, Palestrina, Mozart in Egypt, El Lebrijano and Songs of Innocence. Ilmatar release is scheduled for May 2000.

2000: performances in Spain, Japan, France, Hungary, Austria, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Holland. Concert highlights: Eight performances at Tokyo's coolest new venue, Tribute to the Love Generation, in Odaiba. Babel Festival in Strasbourg, France was a smash hit, with 1000 people dancing and carrying on, while Pepsi Sziget Festival in Budapest was a massive success with 7000 people and four encores. WOMEX Berlin, Belgian tour, Paris gig at Glaz'Art.

2001: Rock in Rio festival in Brasil, Celtic Connections in Glasgow, Nordic Nights in Minneapolis. Singer Riikka Timonen departs band to be replaced by Johanna Virtanen. Live recording "6. 12." - Värttinä's new video "Äijö" appears on the "6.12"-CD

2002: The live album 6.12 is released in Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Norway, UK, Hungary, Czech Republic, Portugal and Japan. International activity includes a French and Spanish tour, Värttinä's third performance at Dranouter Festival in Belgium plus concerts in Italy, Slovenia, Latvia and France including the Nancy Jazz Pulsations festival.

2003: Värttinä's 20th Anniversary is celebrated by the early February release of their tenth album "iki", followed by a series of late February concerts in Helsinki filmed by Finnish national television YLE. International concert activity in France, Germany, Scotland, Belgium, Switzerland and a third appearance at Pepsi Festival Budapest.

In late 2003 Värttinä began collaborating with Indian composer A. R. Rahman on writing the score for the stage adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's THE LORD OF THE RINGS. Work will continue through 2004 with the musical's World Premiere taking place in London in 2005. Directed by Matthew Warchus and produced by Kevin Wallace and Saul Zaentz, at £800,000, THE LORD OF THE RINGS will be the most expensive musical ever produced in London. www.thelordoftheringsmusical.com.

In March 2004, Värttinä embark on a twenty day tour of Europe including seventeen concerts, their longest most jam-packed tour to date.

Critics continue the praise. Värttinä were named by US Utne magazine as one of the world's "Movers and Shakers - The 40 Most Exciting, Soulful Artists of 2003, 40 Artists Who Will Shake the World". iki was picked "Top of the World" by Songlines Magazine and was named by Songlines one of the "Top 50 World Music Albums You Should Own."

VÄRTTINÄ DISCOGRAPHY
Värttinä /The First Album (1987)
Musta Lindu / Black Bird(1989)
Oi Dai (1990)
Seleniko (1992)
Aitara (1994)
Kokko (1996)
Vihma (1998)
Ilmatar (2000)
6.12. (live in concert)
iki (2003)