Antti Paalanen has graduated as Master of Music from the Department of Folk Music of the Sibelius Academy in 2006. Paalanen plays the accordion in many folk music groups like Hehkumo, Hyperborea, Kiharakolmio, Trepaanit and the duo Turkka ja Paalanen. The duo's album HALITULI won the Etno Emma award in 2006. Trepaanit, Hyperborea and Hehkumo have also been nominated for the Emma award, which is the Finnish equivalent to the Grammy award. Hyperborea and Kiharakolmio have both been named Group of the Year at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival.

Antti Paalanen's has also released three solo albums. Äärelä was released in 2007, Breathbox in 2010 and Meluta in 2014.

Paalanen has worked as a musician in many musical, dance and theatre productions, as well as played in concerts abroad with different groups, in China, Mexico, Russia, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Holland, France, Switzerland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Estonia and Denmark.

Paalanen's music is a epic journey to the innermost feelings of this traditional musician. He treats his instrument with a colorful and unprejudiced touch, conjuring a touching sound landscape. Each song is full of meanings, telling a picturesque little story.