We’d love to hear about your early days. What was your childhood like, and how did you first get into music?
I grew up in a small village of 2,000 people in Eastern Finland. My first touch to music was when I was three or four years old when I went to kantele (a traditional Finnish instrument) lessons. The first class didn’t go well – I got a cut on my finger and blood was pouring out on the kantele. Despite the experience I continued attending kantele lessons and piano lessons were also included. At home I also listened to rock’n roll and pretended to be a rock star.
I was about six years old when I went to an organ concert with my mother. After the concert, I had told my mother that “composing is easy, making an organ piece like that is not difficult”. In the same breath, I had announced that I would grow up to be a composer. I asked my mother to buy a sheet music book in which I could write my compositions. Over the years, quite a few sheet music books have been filled!
Who has been your biggest supporter throughout your journey in music?
My mother once guided me to music, and my parents made it possible to pursue music with their financial support. Among other things, they paid for my studies at a music high school. My sister is very eager to share my music with her friends and
acquaintances. However, my biggest support is my spouse, with whom we have been together for 14 years. Many times he’s patiently listened to my concerns, shared my enthusiasm, worked as a roadie and been in the audience cheering me on!
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your music career, and how did you overcome them?
The hardest part has been getting over the occasional feelings of insignificance. As an indie artist I do a lot myself, including the publishing process, so making music involves quite a lot of things that are not actually making music. When I get the tenth “no thank you” or just blain radio silence, it’s easy to feel like I’m nothing. The passage of time has helped me to overcome those feelings. It has also helped that I have clarified for myself what is important to me in making music.
Is there a particular moment in your career that stands out as especially memorable or significant?
The release of my debut album ‘Colouring Book’ in 2019. I had been dreaming about making a full album for a long time. Working hard to make that dream come true made me somehow more of an artist – at least in my own eyes.
What’s your process like when you’re writing new songs?
The process usually starts with music. I feel an inner bubbling, from which I know that now it would be worthwhile to sit down at the piano. Often I start with a bass line or chords, on top of which I develop a vocal melody. After that I write the lyrics and that often requires me walking. My phone memo is full of single, interesting words and short sentences. At a pretty early stage I make a demo that I send to my producers and then we continue together from that.
What inspired you to write your latest single, “Circus Called Life”?
My friend has described me as a “practical artistic person”. This sometimes causes an internal conflict in me, when the need for control and creativity are on a collision course. It’s hard for me to tolerate uncertainty, and the song tries to laugh at the fact how crazy and surprising life is. Life can be like an amusement park ride and a circus, no matter how hard you try to control and rationalize it.
How did the creative process for this single differ from your previous work?
I wrote the song a couple of years ago. However, the song remained in the desk drawer. Half a year ago, I made a big life change and joined the circus. While working in the circus, I remembered the song waiting in a desk drawer. It was high time to get back to the song and finish it! So was this fate or my subconscious trying to tell me something?
Do you have any fun or interesting behind-the-scenes stories from recording or producing “Circus Called Life”?
The song was recorded underground, in a civilian shelter, opposite the fire station. Maybe not the most usual place for a studio!
How did you come up with the concept for the music video?
I wanted the video to reflect the message of the song about how absurd life is. I also wanted the video to show the happy sparkle of the circus, as well as the darker side of life. Since I work in a circus, I was lucky to make use of my talented circus artist colleagues in the video.
How do you connect with your fans and audience through your music?
I have often been told that there is something about my singing voice that touches them deeply. I hope my songs encourages people’s self-belief and give them some courage. I believe that at best my audience gets an experience of empowerment.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your musical journey so far?
The experience that I can do good with my music. I can bring joy, experiences and sometimes even surprises to people.
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