“Poliphilos, what took you so long?”, I asked myself the other day.

Indeed, at 54, one could say I’m a late bloomer, but hear me out: I’ve made music already since 1992.

It just… took a while until the music took shape that I was finally satisfied with.

So yeah, I’m Finnish man, living on the west coast of Finland, and since 2022 going through a major creative explosion in my mind, which has now lead me to finally releasing my songs digitally.

Get the latest pre-save link on my home page!

The beginnings

I was born in the 1970s. My mother played a lot of music at home, during travels, and elsewhere. I sang along to a lot of ABBA, Boney M, and David Bowie without understanding the lyrics. My mother’s collection also included Finnhits, featuring popular Finnish artists, but I was more drawn to English pop.

As a child, I was very creative. I drew, painted, wrote, and took piano lessons. However, living in a small town limited my access to arts classes, leaving me to my vivid imagination. I never planned to be an artist. My mother had my future mapped out: “Harri (my real name), now that you’ve graduated from high school and completed compulsory military service, you have three choices: pilot, lawyer, or doctor.”

“Oh? Well! The freedom of choice!”

Feeling pressured, I moved to Stockholm, Sweden, and got a job. Then, one dark and rainy night, I realized I wanted to be a professional performer. I returned to Helsinki, absolutely HAMMERED myself in shape by taking various classes in singing, dancing, and acting, and eventually graduated as a contemporary dance teacher. I spent the 90s performing mostly as a freelancer.

Transition

So all was good.

Except: I felt different in arts circles, by always organizing and optimizing things, which wasn’t always welcomed.

I decided there must be people like me somewhere. So I studied business, graduated, and joined a big international corporation, making art my hobby. This balance felt better now.

Songwriting journey

In the 90s, I composed about 100 songs, but most never saw the light of day. I wanted to combine history with the present but struggled to make it work, and simply decided that I will wait until I find a producer with whom I hit it off.

Then, in 2023, I met Juho Isomäki through Instagram and was like, “There’s something there!”. So I sent him a message asking if he’d be interested in producing a song together.

And the second I heard the first version of the first song (it was Ordinary Day), I knew this was it.

And now, together, we’ve found a sound that feels uniquely mine and allows me to express what I want to say.

My inspiration comes from life experiences and art.

My songs are partly autobiographical, partly fictitious, blending melody with poetry and storytelling. I want my listeners to enjoy themselves, bringing people together in these crazy times.

That’s layer one.

Musical layers

My music has three layers: the first impression, the lyrics, and a deeper philosophical meaning.

For example, the theme of my upcoming album, “Player Characters,” is duality, exploring how life can turn upside down or be interpreted in multiple ways.

I think that life isn’t black and white, and I specifically want to explore the gray areas through my songs.

Player Characters

“Player Characters” was born when I moved back to my hometown, Kristiinankaupunki, in 2018. The peace and nature of this historical wooden town by the sea gave me the mental space to create.

The album is set in a near-dystopian future, featuring diverse characters like an investor-playboy, a female secret agent, a robot girliepop band, and a supernatural romantic encounter.

Songwriting approach

My songwriting is like a particle collider: I mix elements to see what happens.

For example, when we started “Player Characters,” I told Juho, “I’m bringing the Dark 80s, and I need Electronic Dance Music from you.” We’ve combined these influences, and I’m thrilled with the result.

I pair melodies with lyrics I’ve written, constantly experimenting. I’m already planning my next album, possibly inspired by Grimm fairy tales or science fiction.

Influences

My musical influences are from 1975-1985, often called the period of “real music” for its clear structures and catchy melodies. Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, David Bowie, George Michael, Kate Bush, and ABBA have all shaped my sound. I also love Japan and David Sylvian, beach house, ambient music, and classical and historical music.

Collaborations and reception

I collaborate with one producer and do everything else myself. I write the lyrics and melodies and perform them because I by doing so I can convey the nuances of my songs.

My friends have enjoyed the new songs, and I’m eager to see the general reception. Once reviews come in, I’ll add them to my site.

Future

I’m ready to perform live and continue writing music. My goal is to publish 30-50 songs while balancing my daytime job. I plan to create videos for each song and may need a manager and virtual assistant as things progress. With my theatre background, I aim for fully rehearsed performances. Meanwhile, I’ll keep composing.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on my songs. Check out the tracks in my Electronic Press Kit and get in touch! Links to my channels are at the bottom of the page.