Behind the Neon Lights: The Story of STEREO, Finland’s Electronic-Pop Powerhouse

When one of Finland’s biggest rock and pop phenomena, Haloo Helsinki!, announced a well-deserved hiatus in late 2017, fans wondered what the band’s creative masterminds would do next. For guitarist-songwriters Leo Hakanen and Jere Marttila, the break wasn’t a time to rest—it was an opportunity to pivot into uncharted territory.

Enter STEREO (stylized as STEREO), an electronic dance music (EDM) and producer duo that took the Finnish music scene by storm during the band’s hiatus. By trading stadium-rock guitars for pulsing synthesizers, heavy bass drops, and club-ready beats, Hakanen and Marttila successfully reinvented themselves, proving that great songwriting translates across any genre.

## From Stadium Rock to Electronic Soundscapes

For years, Hakanen and Marttila were known as the architectural forces behind Haloo Helsinki!’s massive chart-topping radio hits. However, electronic music had long lingered in the background of their musical curiosities.

When the opportunity arose to step away from the traditional band setup, they seized the chance to experiment. Rather than acting strictly as behind-the-scenes producers, they stepped to the forefront as vocalists, beatmakers, and DJs. The result was a fresh sonic identity that blended infectious pop hooks with modern EDM production styles—a cocktail that resonated instantly with Finnish listeners.

## A Star-Studded Collaborative Era

One of the defining characteristics of STEREO’s breakout 2019 campaign was its collaborative spirit. Instead of carrying every track alone, the duo functioned like a dance-music collective, inviting a powerhouse lineup of Finnish vocalists and artists into the studio.

Their debut double-singles, “Vuosien päästä” (featuring Etta) and “74”, set an immediate high standard. The production standard was world-class; notably, tracks like “Vuosien päästä” were mixed by top-tier international engineer Miles Walker (renowned for his work with Beyoncé, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, and Coldplay).

STEREO’s self-titled debut album featured an impressive roster of guest appearances, bridging various corners of the Finnish music industry:

• Samu Haber on “Sä saat mut palasiksi”
• Michael Monroe on “Woo Woo”
• Ida Paul & Kalle Lindroth on “Bonnie & Clyde”
• Aste on “Rauhaa ja rakkautta”
• Sini Yasemin on “Katon peiliin”

This clever cross-pollination of genres allowed STEREO to experiment freely while maintaining the catchy, emotionally resonant lyricism that Hakanen and Marttila were already famous for.

## Live Show Energy and Legacy

STEREO didn’t just stay a studio project. The duo translated their electronic soundscapes into high-energy live DJ sets and festival performances, bringing a dynamic club atmosphere to Finnish summer stages.

While STEREO was primarily conceptualized as a creative outlet during Haloo Helsinki!’s break—before the band triumphantly returned to active duty in 2021—the project remains a fascinating chapter in modern Finnish pop history. It demonstrated artistic versatility, proving that premier songwriters can deconstruct their own style and rebuild it into something entirely electric.

Whether you stumble upon their tracks late at night on a playlist or trace the lineage of Finland’s modern pop producers, STEREO stands out as a brilliant exercise in creative freedom.