TONY ENGELHART: POSSIBLY A BIT TOO WEIRD FOR YOU >>>

This band’s YouTube performances blew me away. Now there’s a unique sound. However, excepting hardcore world music aficionados, The Karelian Folk Music Ensemble might be a bit too weird for even the most astute music fan. The trio comes from Petrozavodsk, in the Russian Republic of Karelia that borders Finland â€" which is why they mix traditional Finnish and Russian music using instruments that are centuries old. While I was aware what instruments like a diatonic flute and a goat horn were, I had never heard of a kanteles (Finnish-Karelian harp) or jouhikko (Karelian bowed lyre) â€" and I was totally stunned by their beautiful sound. Of course they also play such recognizable instruments as accordion, mandolin and bagpipes. Singing ancient Russian village songs as well as Finnish hymns, the trio’s three voices take the listener back to in time with true authenticity.

Tonight, the Karelian Folk Music Ensemble will play Traditions Cafe in Olympia.

[Traditions Café, 8 p.m., $8-$12,300 Fifth Ave. S.W., Olympia, 360.705.2819]