STEREO: The Electronic Side-Project of Haloo Helsinki! Hitmakers

When one of Finland’s biggest pop-rock bands, Haloo Helsinki!, announced a well-deserved hiatus in the late 2010s, fans wondered what the members would do next. For guitarists Jere Marttila and Leo Hakanen, the break became an opportunity to step away from stadium rock guitars and dive deep into the world of electronic dance music (EDM).

The result was STEREO (stylized as STEREO), a dynamic producer-duo project that brought a fresh, club-ready pulse to the Finnish music scene during 2018 and 2019.

Origins and Musical Shift

While Marttila and Hakanen were globally and domestically known for crafting heavy guitar riffs and radio-friendly anthems in Haloo Helsinki!, STEREO allowed them to explore an entirely different palette of sounds. The duo focused on sleek production, heavy basslines, pulsing synthesizers, and modern EDM structures.

Rather than acting as traditional frontmen, Marttila and Hakanen operated primarily as producers and masterminds, inviting a rotating cast of prominent Finnish vocalists and rappers to bring their tracks to life. This collaborative approach turned every single release into a unique event.

Star-Studded Collaborations

One of the defining features of STEREO’s run was its impressive roster of guest artists. By teaming up with heavyweights from various corners of Finnish music, the duo bridged the gap between underground electronic club culture and mainstream pop stardom.

Some of their most notable collaborative singles include:

• “Vuosien päästä” (feat. Etta): A massive radio and streaming hit featuring rapper Etta, which became one of the defining tracks of the project.
• “Sä saat mut palasiksi” (feat. Samu Haber): A soaring, emotional electronic pop track featuring the former Sunrise Avenue frontman Samu Haber.
• “Woo Woo” (feat. Michael Monroe): A high-energy collision of rock attitude and electronic beats featuring the legendary Hanoi Rocks frontman.
• “Bonnie & Clyde” (feat. Ida Paul & Kalle Lindroth): A catchy, melodic blend of contemporary pop sensibilities and dance production.
• Other notable tracks featured contributions from artists like Aste, Teflon Brothers, and Sini Yasemin.

Legacy and Return to Haloo Helsinki!

STEREO was always intended as a specialized, time-bound project rather than a permanent new career path. As the hiatus of Haloo Helsinki! drew to a close, Marttila and Hakanen returned to their primary band, culminating in their grand return with new music and arena tours in 2021.

Even though their active run as STEREO was brief, the project left a lasting impression. It showcased the versatility of two of Finland’s top modern musicians, proving that their songwriting and production talents stretch far beyond standard rock arrangements. For fans of electronic pop, STEREO remains a brilliant, high-energy chapter in contemporary Nordic music history.