Pihasoittajat, a Finnish folk rock band, was formed in 1969. The group initially focused on Irish traditional music but later incorporated modern popular music influences and Finnish folk elements. In the autumn of 1971, they collaborated with Ryhmäteatteri on a musical documentary titled "Vanha iloinen Irlanti," which led to a record deal with Love Records. Their debut album, Rocky Road to Dublin - Kivinen Tie Dubliniin, was released in 1972 and featured Irish folk music sung in English. In 1975, Pihasoittajat participated in the Finnish Eurovision Song Contest qualifiers with "Viulu-ukko," which won the qualifiers and represented Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest, finishing seventh. Their album, Kontaten Kotia, was released the same year. After a hiatus, Pihasoittajat returned in 1995 and performed at various events until Hannu Karlsson died in 2000. In later years, Pihasoittajat performed infrequently, mainly at private events. The group appeared at the Mummi-Kutoo-Takaisin mini-festival in Humppila in 2016 and later performed at the Savoy Theatre.
