Beyond Haloo Helsinki!: The Electronic Evolution of STEREO
When one of Finland’s biggest rock bands takes a breather, what do its principal architects do? For Leo Hakanen and Jere Marttila—the guitarists and primary songwriters behind the stadium-filling phenomenon Haloo Helsinki!—the answer wasn’t to rest. Instead, they traded their heavy guitar rigs for synthesizers, drum machines, and club turntables, giving birth to STEREO, a sleek electronic dance music (EDM) and pop duo.
Though initially conceived as a creative outlet during Haloo Helsinki!’s high-profile hiatus in 2018–2019, STEREO quickly blossomed into a vibrant, collaborative electronic project that left a distinct footprint on the Finnish modern music landscape.
From Stadium Rockers to Electronic Architects
For years, Hakanen and Marttila helped shape the sound of modern Finnish rock, writing massive radio anthems that defined a generation. However, the urge to explore different sonic winds had been quietly brewing behind the scenes. Looking to challenge themselves outside the traditional rock band format, the duo dived headfirst into electronic music production.
They adopted the name STEREO (stylized as STEREO) to reflect a wide-angle, expansive approach to sound. Rather than acting strictly as background studio producers, the pair took center stage as vocalists, songwriters, and DJs. To ensure world-class sonic delivery, they collaborated with top-tier international mixing engineers—such as Miles Walker, renowned for his work with global superstars like Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Coldplay—infusing their crisp Nordic electronic production with an international pop polish.
00740: A Postal Code and a Sonic Identity
In late 2019, STEREO released their debut full-length album, aptly titled 00740. The album title is a nod to Suutarila, a district in Helsinki where the duo spent their formative years, grounding their futuristic electronic beats in authentic local roots.
Rather than flying solo on every track, STEREO transformed 00740 into a massive collaborative party. They invited an eclectic roster of prominent Finnish vocalists and rappers to front their tracks, bridging the gap between underground electronic club music and mainstream radio pop.
Notable standout singles and collaborations from the era include:
- “Sä saat mut palasiksi” featuring Samu Haber (formerly of Sunrise Avenue)
- “Woo Woo” featuring rock icon Michael Monroe
- “Vuosien päästä” featuring rap artist Etta
- “Bonnie & Clyde” featuring Ida Paul & Kalle Lindroth
- “Katon peiliin” featuring Sini Yasemin
- “Rauhaa ja rakkautta” featuring Aste
A Temporary Chapter with Lasting Resonance
STEREO’s run was deliberately designed to coincide with Haloo Helsinki!’s temporary break. True to their word, once the hiatus concluded and Haloo Helsinki! prepared for their triumphant return to the rock stage, STEREO stepped back from active touring and releasing.
Even though their time as an active frontline duo was brief, STEREO proved that great songwriters are rarely bound by genre boundaries. By effortlessly blending club-ready EDM energy with sharp Finnish lyricism and high-profile star power, Hakanen and Marttila expanded their artistic horizons and delivered one of the most exciting side projects in modern Finnish pop history.
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