STEREO: The Electronic Side-Project Redefining Finnish Pop-EDM

When major mainstream rock stars step outside their comfort zones, the results can often range from self-indulgent misfires to refreshing creative rebirths. For Leo Hakanen and Jere Marttila—the master guitarists and primary songwriters behind Haloo Helsinki!, one of Finland’s most successful rock-pop bands—it was decidedly the latter.

During a scheduled hiatus for their parent band, Hakanen and Marttila joined forces to create STEREO (stylized as STEREO), an electronic dance music (EDM) producer-DJ duo that injected a massive dose of club-ready energy and high-profile collaborations into the Finnish music scene.

The Genesis of STEREO

In late 2018, Haloo Helsinki! announced a well-deserved break following years of relentless touring and chart-topping album cycles. Rather than resting entirely, Hakanen and Marttila seized the opportunity to chase a long-held passion: electronic dance music.

Drawing on their extensive experience crafting colossal, stadium-sized pop melodies, the duo formed STEREO in early 2019. Their goal was clear: to bring a fresh, club-oriented, international-grade EDM sound to Finland, blending electronic drops and heavy basslines with top-tier Finnish lyricism and vocal talent.

“We’ve had a long-standing dream to make EDM music, and now with Haloo [Helsinki!] on hiatus, we finally got the chance to make it happen. We’re going to take domestic EDM music to the next level!”
— Leo Hakanen and Jere Marttila

Chart Success and Star-Studded Collaborations

STEREO burst onto the scene on February 1, 2019, simultaneously releasing their debut singles “Vuosien päästä” (featuring rapper Etta) and “74”.

“Vuosien päästä” became an immediate streaming powerhouse, resonating deeply with fans and ultimately pulling in millions of streams. The duo didn’t stop there. True to the collaborative nature of modern electronic music production (akin to projects like Calvin Harris or Diplo), STEREO’s self-titled album featured an impressive roster of guest artists from across the Finnish musical spectrum.

Key tracks that defined the project include:

• “Vuosien päästä” (feat. Etta): An emotional yet high-energy bridge between club beats and contemporary Finnish rap.
• “Sä saat mut palasiksi” (feat. Samu Haber): A soaring anthem featuring the distinct raspy vocals of the former Sunrise Avenue frontman.
• “Bonnie & Clyde” (feat. Ida Paul & Kalle Lindroth): A seamless blend of acoustic-pop vocal sensibilities and electronic soundscapes.
• “Katon peiliin” (feat. Sini Yasemin)

Bringing Club Culture to the Festival Stage

STEREO wasn’t just a studio-bound vanity project. In the summer of 2019, the duo hit the live circuit, bringing an immersive DJ-producer setup to major Finnish festivals and clubs. Complete with high-energy production, lighting arrays, and dynamic live adjustments of their studio tracks, STEREO offered fans an entirely different side of the musicianship they had come to love from Haloo Helsinki!

Legacy and Impact

While STEREO primarily served as a high-octane outlet during Haloo Helsinki!’s late-2010s break—before Hakanen and Marttila returned to their main group’s triumphant comeback—the project remains a fascinating footnote in modern Finnish pop history. It proved that elite songwriters can successfully cross genre boundaries, bridging the gap between underground electronic club music and mainstream pop accessibility.