After recently releasing a more synth-led EP at the end of last year, Finnish artist Sätilä is now looking to head in a new direction with his latest single 'Island'.
Taking his cues from the likes of The Killers, Mew, and Disco Ensemble, 'Island' sees the frontman swap the keys for guitars on this driven pop-rock offering. Filled with killer hooks and memorable moments throughout, it feels like his next incarnation could still prove a winner for this emerging name.
So with the new single out and about, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has inspired him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I started playing was the piano, but it was the drums I fell in love with.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
When I was a teenager, the emo scene was quite predominant. I remember listening to AFI, Panic At The Disco!, early Fall Out Boy, Paramore, The Used, My Chemical Romance but also indie rock like The Killers. I was a huge Muse fan as well. I had a phase of heavier music as well. I listened to Underoath and even Children of Bodom. But the biggest bands for me were Finnish bands Disco Ensemble (post-hardcore, punk, rock) and Lapko (alternative rock), which was a kind of mixture of Placebo and Rush. I looked up to those bands as they were from the same country, touring internationally and doing cool stuff.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I don’t often get this feeling but maybe “Hey Ma” by Bon Iver. Matt Corby’s “Brother” is another gem.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
It varies how I do it, but I try to conjure a feeling. This can be achieved by playing a chord progression or riff on a guitar or piano, or by going through sounds or samples, finding a delicious drum beat.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’m listening to a lot of James Blake, Haim, Declan McKenna and Aaron Frazer whose music I was introduced to by a friend.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
Quite a few. Or they’ve inspired them, and I’ve made the story more dramatic. A lot about myself though…
What has been the funniest or most unusual moment in your career so far?
When an artist friend of mine invited me with him on a tour of the Capitol building and the studios in Los Angeles. He had a deal with an imprint of Capitol Records and they were super kind to show us around and took us up on the roof, too! Unforgettable moments.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
If I could open up for Tame Impala or Bon Iver, I’d probably die before I got on.
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
If I couldn’t play anything or sing, I might have become a teacher or do something that deals with people. Maybe HR. Something where I can encourage and build people.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Anything that has helped me focus on staying true to myself and to follow intuition. Also “Opinions are like assholes, everyone’s got one”!
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Sätilä's new single 'Island' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.