uni uni – Valveilla (Haapojan studio, 2026)
Finnish electro-folk duo uni uni’s enthralling debut album, Valveilla (“Awake”), stirs together folk traditions with ambient, spellbinding electronica. It features jouhikko (bowed lyre), singing saw, layered violin arrangements that capture your imagination, and joyful electronic beats.
The artists are deeply inspired by nature’s beauty and force. At the same time, their compositions address concerns surrounding the ongoing climate crisis.
Meanwhile, uni uni has earned a place among the showcase artists at the 2026 Kaustinen Folk Music Festival. In its selection statement, the festival panel described the duo’s music as a cinematic mix of archaic instruments, live looping, and electronic pop. The panel noted that the group’s sound takes listeners “from the sparkling shores of the Baltic Sea to the pulsating heart of a storm.”
In addition, the jury characterized the music as “primitive and earthy,” citing a distinctive quality that separates the duo from its peers and suggests strong international potential.
The duo includes Ella Isotalo on violin, viola, jouhikko, ilimba, piano, looper, and vocals. Mikko H. Haapoja handles keyboards, beats, and production, and also performs on jouhikko and musical saw in addition to contributing vocals.
(headline image: uniuni – Valveilla – photo by Mikko H Haapoja)
Author: Madison Quinn
