Behind The Lens: Hanna Maaria

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How would you describe your music to a first-time listener?

I’d describe my music as melodic, heartfelt alternative pop with a classical twist. I grew up playing classical piano, and that background still finds its way into my songs, sometimes through a string quartet, sometimes through a more cinematic sound. I love combining honest, personal lyrics with catchy melodies, rich backing vocals and sometimes a little ’80s-inspired sparkle.

For me, music is a bit like that first cup of coffee on a crisp autumn morning, when the sunlight finds its way through the clouds and suddenly everything feels a little brighter. It's those little moments that I love capturing in my songs.

I’m fascinated by all the emotions we experience as humans and how we can find joy and beauty even when life gets complicated. My songs often come from very personal places, but I love wrapping those stories in melodies. So there's a mix of vulnerability, warmth, a little nostalgia and hopefully a spark of joy that stays with you long after the song ends.

You're celebrating a major career milestone with a trip to the ice cream shop. What's your go-to flavor and why?

I'd go for coconut and coffee gelato, preferably together! I still remember tasting this combination for the first time in a tiny, unassuming gelateria in Palermo, Sicily. I was barely 18, backpacking across Europe by train with a friend. We had traveled all the way from Finland to Sicily, spending weeks on the rails with our backpacks. (Looking back, I still can't quite believe our parents let us go on such an adventure all by ourselves, but oh, what fun we had!)

We arrived in Palermo on a night train and somehow ended up in this little gelateria with the most amazing selection of flavors, many of which we'd never even seen in Finland back then. I chose coconut and coffee, and I swear my mouth practically exploded with happiness! Maybe it was the long journey, the excitement of finally reaching Sicily, or just the unbelievably good gelato, but I've never experienced anything quite like it since. And ever since, I've been trying to find a gelato that lives up to that experience!

What do you want fans to take away from your music?

I hope my music makes people feel a little more alive, connected and maybe even a bit lighter. Life can be complicated, and I don't think we always need to pretend everything is wonderful, but I do believe there's beauty to be found even in the middle of the mess.

Music has this incredible power to change how we feel, sometimes in just a few seconds. I love the idea that one of my songs could brighten someone's morning, bring comfort on a difficult day, or simply remind them to appreciate the little things in life.

And especially when performing live, I just love seeing people in the audience smile! That moment when you feel the energy flowing both ways and realize you've made someone's day a little happier is probably my favorite part of performing.

What about making music makes it fun for you?

The fun is in making music itself! There's nothing quite like coming up with a killer melody, finding the right words for a feeling that's been bubbling inside me, or writing a song that helps me through a difficult time. I love sitting at the piano, turning my thoughts and emotions into little musical ideas and gradually putting them together into a song. It's something I've enjoyed doing since I was a kid.

Of course, there's also the less exciting part of polishing and obsessing over tiny details. I'm quite a perfectionist when it comes to my productions, so that part is important too, even if it's not always as much fun.

I also really enjoy hearing the first versions of a production, when all the different sounds start coming together. And working with other musicians always gives me an extra boost! I love exchanging ideas, learning new things from my talented friends and seeing how someone else's perspective can take a song in a direction I wouldn't have thought of myself.

How do you know an idea is worth developing into a song?

When I feel like writing, I usually sit down at the piano and start with an emotion or a story I want to express. Sometimes ideas also come to me while journaling.

I remember reading somewhere that a good song is one you can still remember the next day. I think that's a pretty good indicator! I have tons of ideas, but the ones that stick in my head are usually the ones worth developing.

I start by sketching out the song on the piano, sometimes working on it with another songwriter, and then record a demo in Logic Pro. I add synths, beats, vocals and plenty of layers, only to strip most of them away later.

I spend quite a bit of time on my demos, as we often keep some of the original tracks in the final production. My longtime producer Janne Oinas then takes things further, adding his ideas and polishing the sound. We record the lead vocals at his studio, while I do the backing vocals at home (my favorite part!). Then it's mixing, mastering, and finally a finished song!

When do you decide to shelve an idea that isn't going to work?

I always come back to my songs after recording a demo, usually with fresh ears, and almost always end up changing something. But sometimes a song just doesn't click, and if that feeling doesn't go away, I usually leave it alone.

If I'm unsure, I'll play it to Janne, my producer, or other musician friends and ask for their honest opinion. Funny enough, I often realize whether the song works or not while we're listening to it together, before they've even said a word! I guess sometimes you just need another pair of ears in the room to hear what you already knew.

Did you think a song was going to be less successful than it actually became?

Definitely Talking to Younger Me! I originally wrote it purely as a form of therapy for myself. I had actually decided from the beginning that I wasn't going to release it, just so I could write completely freely, without overthinking, analyzing or criticizing myself. I wanted to write something that I needed to hear myself, without worrying about whether anyone else would like it.

Ironically, it ended up becoming my most listened-to song and getting the most views on YouTube! Maybe there's something about being completely honest with yourself that makes a song resonate with others too. It's definitely something I try to remind myself of whenever I get too caught up in overthinking my music.

What's one lyric you find fans repeating back to you? Why do you think that particular line resonates so strongly?

I can't think of one particular line, but people have really connected with my latest single Change My Vibe, even before its release.

Just after I'd written the song, I played it for a friend of a friend who was visiting us. To my surprise, she was moved to tears, even though it's quite an upbeat song! Afterwards, she told me it had made her think of her mother, whom she'd recently lost. The line "Gotta go against the grain, stop focusing on the pain" had really touched her.

I think the song is about finding joy in the little things, even when life is difficult. Of course, we need to give grief its time and space, but I also believe it's important to remember that life still has so much beauty to offer.

You're creating a song for an Olympian. What would you call it and what would it sound like?

I imagine competing in the Olympics is as much a mental challenge as a physical one. You've already achieved something incredible just by getting there, but now you're competing against the best in the world, with everyone watching. And the fear of messing up? Anyone can relate to that! I'd want the song to turn that pressure into excitement and confidence, reminding the athlete to enjoy the moment and trust themselves.

Musically, it would have a strong beat, a great groove and a big, joyful chorus. I believe music can really help us shift our mindset and visualize positive outcomes. So I'd call it Manifesting Me, a song about trusting yourself and giving it everything you've got!

If there was a museum dedicated to your life and career, what would fans find in the gift shop? Where can fans connect with you?

The gift shop would be a slightly chaotic mix of a classical music store, a vintage boutique and a travel souvenir shop. Think miniature grand pianos, colorful scarves, handwritten sheet music and souvenirs from the countries I've lived in. There'd also be a little Björk corner, dedicated to my first musical love, filled with wonderfully weird accessories!

And of course, the Change My Vibe Emergency Kit, complete with good coffee, rose-colored glasses and a reminder that life is beautiful, even when it's messy.

Back in the real world, you can find me on Instagram, TikTok and Spotify as Hanna-Maaria, or at hannamaaria.com!