Otava Yo are a group of professional folk musicians in St. Petersburg, Russia. They wanted to create new interpretations of Russian folk music, open to everyone. They play their music vigorously, with uninhibited humour, mixing fierily-played traditional Russian instruments with a look straight out of Gogol - one which simultaneously frightens and attracts the tourists. Otava Yo shatter any preconception that Russian folk music is flat and undanceable. “Otava Yo turn Russian folk songs into uninhibited dance music… taking great concert halls by storm with their Slavic temperament and fire…” - Kiviberg, Viljandi Folk Festival.
