Haloo Helsinki!

Haloo Helsinki! are a popular rock band from Helsinki, Finland, whose self-titled debut album became a Top Ten hit upon its 2008 release. Formed while still in their teens, Elli Haloo (vocals, bass), Jere Marttila (guitar), Leo Hakanen (guitar), and Jukka Soldan (drums) collaborated with producer Erno Laitinen after signing a major-label recording contract with EMI Music Finland. Peaking at number six on the Finnish albums chart, Haloo Helsinki! effectively launched the band's career and see them become a staple of Finnish pop music over the coming decade. Subsequent albums Enemmän Kuin Elää (2009) and III (2011) were similarly successful and yielded hit singles, most notably the breakout "Maailman Toisella Puolen," which topped the Finnish radio charts in the summer of 2011 and eventually went platinum. With their dynamic pop/rock mix, Haloo Helsinki! continued their winning streak, notching two more number one albums with 2013's Maailma on Tehty Meitä Varten and 2014's Kiitos Ei Ole Kirosana, both of which were released by Sony affiliate Ratas Music Group. A wildly popular touring act, the band issued Arena, their first live release, in 2015. Returning to the studio, Haloo Helsinki! returned in 2017 with their sixth studio LP, Hulluuden Highway. ~ Jason Birchmeier