[1] Ottopasuuna was formed in the early 1990s by Petri Hakala (mandolin, octave mandolin, guitar, fiddle), Kurt Lindblad (flute, bagpipe), Kimmo Pohjonen (accordion), and Kari Reiman (fiddle; also a member of Värttinä).
[2] Many of the band members were previously part of Finland's Sibelius Academy.
[3] The band is primarily associated with contemporary Finnish folk music and its influences include "the Finno-Ugrian world (...) dance tunes and melodies from Estonia, Ingria, Ostrobothnia (...) and Karelia.
"[4] Hakala, in particular, has been recognized for his ability to master multiple instruments and is described as "one of the finest players around" in folk and rock traditions of Finland.
[2] In 1991, Ottopasuuna released a critically acclaimed self-titled album through Green Linnet Records.