STEREO (often stylized as STEREO) is a prominent Finnish electronic dance music (EDM) and pop-producer duo formed by Jere Marttila and Leo Hakanen. Best known as the powerhouse guitarist-songwriters behind Haloo Helsinki!—one of Finland’s biggest rock-pop bands—Marttila and Hakanen created STEREO as a creative outlet during Haloo Helsinki!’s well-publicized hiatus between 2018 and 2019.
Stepping away from traditional arena-rock instrumentation, the duo dove headfirst into electronic production, club beats, and contemporary pop collaboration, leaving a short-lived yet striking footprint on the Finnish modern music landscape.
Origins and Musical Style
When Haloo Helsinki! announced a break to recharge after a decade of non-stop touring and chart-topping success, Marttila and Hakanen didn’t stop making music. Instead, they redirected their creative energy into electronic dance music.
STEREO was born out of a desire to experiment with club culture, heavy synthesizer basslines, and electronic arrangements while maintaining the strong, catchy melodies and lyrical storytelling they had honed in pop-rock. Their sound blends driving EDM rhythms with atmospheric electronic pop elements, establishing a distinct club-ready aesthetic that stood apart from their main band’s catalog.
The 2019 Era: Album 00740 and Collaborations
STEREO’s active period culminated in 2019 with a flurry of high-profile single releases and their debut studio album, titled 00740, released in the same year.
Rather than relying on a single lead vocalist, the duo functioned much like modern electronic super-producers (similarly to international acts like Calvin Harris or The Chainsmokers), inviting a massive roster of guest vocalists and artists from across the Finnish music scene to feature on their tracks.
Key tracks and collaborations from the project include:
- “Vuosien päästä” (featuring Etta) – A major streaming hit that showcased a sleek fusion of melodic EDM and sharp rap delivery.
- “Sä saat mut palasiksi” (featuring Samu Haber) – Combining Haber’s distinct raspy vocals with a soaring electronic backdrop.
- “Woo Woo” (featuring rock icon Michael Monroe) – A high-energy collision of electronic production and punk-rock attitude.
- “Bonnie & Clyde” (featuring Ida Paul & Kalle Lindroth) – A radio-friendly pop crossover that highlighted their ear for catchy vocal hooks.
- Other notable features included collaborations with artists like Aste, Sini Yasemin, and Teflon Brothers.
Live Performances and Legacy
During the summer of 2019, STEREO brought their studio project to major Finnish festival stages. Trading guitars for DJ setups and electronic controllers, Marttila and Hakanen offered fans a completely different live experience—transforming festival fields into massive open-air raves.
While STEREO was primarily active as a temporary project tied to Haloo Helsinki!’s hiatus, it demonstrated the deep versatility and production prowess of Marttila and Hakanen. The project remains a fascinating chapter in contemporary Finnish pop history, proving how mainstream rock songwriters can successfully pivot to electronic club music and redefine their sound on their own terms.
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