Otterfly Goes Nordic: A Magical Visit to the Kultasiiven Polkkarit_
What happens when a graceful, mischievous creature with shimmering wings meets Finland's most joyful polka ensemble? Pure magic!
What happens when a graceful, mischievous creature with shimmering wings meets Finland's most joyful polka ensemble? Pure magic—and a whole lot of dancing!
Last month, our beloved Otterfly made a very special journey to the small lakeside village of Järvikylä, Finland, to visit the legendary folk group Kultasiiven Polkkarit (translation: "Golden Wing Polka Dancers"). And we're thrilled to finally share the story with you.
A Friendship Born from Shimmer and Song
It all started when the Kultasiiven Polkkarit stumbled upon Otterfly on the Otterfly website. Lead singer and accordion player Aino Virtanen recalls the moment vividly:
"We were reading about this magical creature—part otter, part butterfly—who spreads joy and wonder wherever it goes. We looked at each other and said, 'That's us! That's what we do with our music!' We had to reach out."
And reach out they did. Within weeks, plans were underway for a collaboration that would blend Finnish folk tradition with the playful, graceful spirit of Otterfly.
The Recording Session: Controlled Chaos in the Best Way
The recording took place in a cozy wooden studio nestled among birch trees on the shores of Lake Hopeajärvi. When Otterfly arrived—splashing through the morning mist, wings catching the golden sunrise—the group knew something special was about to happen.
"Otterfly just brought this energy," says fiddler Eero Mäkinen. "We'd play a phrase, and suddenly we were playing faster, sillier, more joyfully. It was like the music was alive."
The result? Otterfly Polka—a rapid-fire, tongue-twisting celebration of nonsense syllables, bouncy accordion, and pure, infectious fun.
Otta-rotta-fly-ya-fly-ya-fly-ya-hey...
You know you're already humming it.
Dancing with Otterfly
Of course, no polka is complete without dancing. And let us tell you—Otterfly can move.
During the video shoot, Kultasiiven Polkkarit formed their traditional spinning circle, and right there in the middle was our graceful creature, wings fluttering, fur bouncing, mischief sparkling in those eyes. At one point, lead dancer Liisa Korhonen attempted to match Otterfly's signature tumble-and-splash move.
"I ended up on the ground laughing," she admits. "But that's the Otterfly way, isn't it? Joy over perfection."
Check out the video clip to see the magic for yourself.
Listen Now: Otterfly Polka
We're beyond excited to announce that Otterfly Polka is now available for your listening pleasure!
Where to listen:
- 🎵 Otterfly Radio — Streaming 24/7
- 🎧 Otterfly Music Player — here
Turn up the volume, gather your friends, and try not to dance. (Spoiler: You will dance. You will definitely dance.)
What the Kultasiiven Polkkarit Taught Us
Spending time with this incredible group reminded us why we do what we do at Otterfly. Their music isn't just entertainment—it's a gift of joy, wrapped in tradition, delivered with laughter.
As Aino put it during our farewell dinner of warm karjalanpiirakka and fresh lakeside air:
"Music should make you feel like a child again. Like anything is possible. Like you could have wings."
And honestly? We couldn't agree more.
A Heartfelt Kiitos
To Aino, Eero, Liisa, and the entire Kultasiiven Polkkarit family—kiitos (thank you) from the bottom of our shimmering, mischievous hearts. You've given us a song that captures everything Otterfly represents: playfulness, grace, wonder, and unbridled joy.
We can't wait to see where this friendship takes us next.
Share the joy! Tag us on social media with #OtterflyPolka and show us your best polka moves. We'll feature our favorites on the blog!
Shimmer on,
The Otterfly Team