2 posts tagged “loituma”

No one is as surprised about the resurgence of this 1995 song Loituma's "Ievan Polkka" than the band themselves. The song was used for the now-famous Loituma Leekspin Girl in 2006, a simple, but hypnotic, flash animation of Beach character Orihime Inoue. Inoue is seen here spinning a giant welsh onion called the Negi, however the English interpretor mis-translated the episode as a Leek - hence why the Loituma girl is often called the Leekspin girl.

The band's been long in retirement when the phenomenon hit and were soon asked for tour reunion, as well as in talks of re-releasing and remixing "Ievan Polkka". All this fuss for one song ?

So let's take a look at the song and why it's so popular.

First of all, the song isn't an original, it's based on an old 17th century Russian folk song, "Savitaipaleen polkka". The traditional song was then translated to Finnish in the 1930s by Eino Kettunen, which are the lyrics and melodies are based on on the Loituma's version.

As the internet have demonstrated, there are many different recording of this song, what I think I liked about Loituma's version is that there are actually no music in their recording. It should also be noted that they often would make up new/different lyrics, ala a cappella scat-style. Combined that with the harmonies and you can see why people just love this song.

While this is not an end-all to all things "Ievan Polka", I have compiled some recording and videos and variance of this song:

Pauli Räsänen - Ievan polkka 1 comment	Sukellusvene - Savitaipaleen Polkka	Recall Project - Як Цуп Цоп (Loituma Polkka)	Loituma - "Ievan Polkka" (Eva's Polka)1996	Loituma - Ievan Polkka
Holly Dolly - The Dolly Song	Loituma - Levan Polka (the official video)	Loituma Girl	Miljah - Ievan Polkka	Arttu Suuntala - Ievan Polkka aka Ieva's Polka

Some notes: I'll have to admit that the "official" new video is pretty awful. It looks like it was based on those wacky hips-gyrating/thrusting Saturday Night Live guys (they later appeared in that stupid movie A Night at the Roxbury (1998)).  Apparently the song got so massive that it was remixed into a a ringtone-selling song called "Holly Dolly", which was later featured as a full music video.  Holly Dolly seems to me like a novelty thing, like that stupid Crazy Frog.

The Russian rap song is quite interesting, mixing hardcore rap-style with an old Russian folk song, while the Sukellusvene has no lyrics and sounds pretty loungey.

My favorite on here is a brief singing by Miljah, who looks surprisingly cute waving her leek.

Bonus: You can download a free Loituma Girl application for your iPhone.

Update 3/15/09 4pm: There's not just one, but two iPhone application!  The second one is Miku Miku, a 3-D demo of Hatsune Miku singing Ievan Polkka.  What's interesting about this version is that it's completely computer-generated (all the vocals are synthesized Vocaloid by Yamaha Corporation). Plus Miku is seen in the demo holding a giant onion.

PS I was going to do a podcast on this song, but based on all the variations, I've decided to just keep it as an article. It's okay, I have a ton of other songs I can talk about :)

There will be no podcast this week because I'm sick. If you're wondering, my next song of choice is the Finnish song "Ievan Polkka" by Loituma... but that's going to have to wait until next week now.

So I'm at home right now with a lack of voice, upset stomach, tireness, violent coughs, uncontrollable running nose, all the wonderful things you get with a flu. I know there is a scientific explanation for these random mucas, but I have always wondered why it happens and why our body can't just, you know, stop the mucas from just coming out.

So picture this: tissues plugging my noses - sexy, huh?

WATCHMEN
(It is 11am).

Anyway, I'll be taking it easy today, maybe re-read The Watchmen as I just saw the movie in theater over the weekend and was really impressed. As an old comic book fan (especially when it comes to the genius of Alan Moore), I loved it - but I am not so sure about the general population that is interested in a 'popcorn' flick, you know? The movie is dialogue-heavy, but Zack Snyder balanced it extended action sequences.

Rorschach is awesome in the movie. Anytime he's on screen and speaking his lines, he's just mesmerizing.

None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked up in here with you. You're locked up in here with ME!

There were a few things that was left out, which is understandable as you need to keep the movie to a decent time. The murder of the original Nite Owl, the throwing of the Nostalgia perfume bottle, the back story of the cops investigating the new Nite Owl, as well as the origin of the ink-shifting fabric were left out. Understandably that these are minor details, and I can understand the omissions. Still.... it's amazing what they were able to squeeze in, just the title sequence of the original Minutemen handled a lot of the back stories of the original heroes in the 40s.

So, if you like comics, this movie was made for you. For the rest of you - the movie might not be compelling enough to get to you into the theaters.

BMG MUSIC CLUB COMES TO AN END
(It is now 1am, been laying in bed for the rest of the day, can't rest anymore. May drive to walmart to pick up some Tylenol Flu and food as I haven't eaten all day.)

Despite my previous efforts in telling you that BMG Music Club is a great way for people to discover new music - I was just informed that as of June 30, 2009, that BMG will cease to exist. They are switching their efforts over to yourmusic.com.

I did went to the new website to check it out.

PROS:

All CDs for $6.99, with free shipping & handling.

Music discovery by using their band suggestions

CONS:

You must "buy" a CD every month (if you don't have anything in your queue, it will automatically still charge you $6.99). It looks like it will be like a Netflix queue, where you add albums you want and every month they charge you and ship you the CD.

Selections is limited to standard albums, so very few "Deluxe Edition" in their catalogs (multi-discs costs $13.98 vs standard $6.99)

So there's several things I think is wrong with this program, but I won't go into all the details. Let's just put it this way: I'm just not fond of reoccurring paying for something (especially if currently I already have more than enough advance music promos to write about).

I think if you're a teenager with a $7 budget for music per month, this will be awesome for you. Me? Not so much the awesome.

GUITAR HERO METALLICA COMING SOON
(It is now Tuesday, also did not venture out to Wal-Mart...)

I have said that Guitar Hero and such games are a great way for bands to monetize on their music. I think Metallica is smart in making this happen.

Fans can now rock out to 28 Metallica's tunes, as well as 21 additional songs chosen by Metallica (some of them includes Queen, Thin Lizzy, Social D, and Motörhead). It looks like a solid game in terms of music content.

I'm not a fan of pre-ordering games (it's like you're so committed to it, you know?), but you do get a bonus item(s) if you pre-order from certain store. The details on Guitar Hero Hub said you get a 2nd drum peddle at Gamestop, tattoo arm for Best Buy, and drumsticks at Game Crazy.