Hailing from the serene landscapes of Kirkkonummi, Finland, Lisa-Aliina is an aspiring singer-songwriter who has been quietly crafting a unique space in the melodic pop world since 2021. Her music is a captivating blend of tradition and modernity, pairing organic production with a dark, mystical soundscape that feels both haunting and deeply human.
Having released her debut album, ‘Potentiaalia vai harhaa’ (Potential or Delusion), in May 2025, she has successfully translated the complexities of the human heart into a collection of songs that balance raw vulnerability with polished pop sensibilities.
In this interview, we dive into Lisa-Aliina’s creative journey, exploring how a chance suggestion from a friend in 2017 sparked a musical "golden age" and led to the creation of her debut record. We discuss the delicate balance between fiction and reality in her songwriting, the vital role of her collaborator Janne, and why she believes melancholy is the most beautiful way to describe the world.
When did you first start making music, and what inspired you to take that first step into becoming an artist?
“As recently as 2017, creating my own music wasn’t on my mind at all – I had no songs, no dreams of being an artist or making music – but I missed having music in my life. As a child, I played piano and I attended music school as well as a high school specialising in music. Even though I could play the piano, it had been many years since I played regularly.”
“My musical journey started in 2017 when I began playing covers with my good friend Janne and he suggested we try writing our own songs. That was the beginning of a years-long process, during which songs that sounded like ‘me’ started to take shape. At the core of all my music is the team I formed with Janne. Our journey into creating original music wasn’t straightforward, but he was a vital part of it. Without him, I’m not sure I’d have written any songs. We shared ideas with one another and we weren’t afraid to tweak and improve them. We knew how to encourage and inspire one another in ways that kept us moving forward until, gradually, the songs began to find their own voice.”
It sounds like that partnership was essential. How long did it take before you felt you had found your true sound?
“It took several years before the songs started to develop into what they are now. It wasn’t until the third year of our partnership, 2020, that we hit a creative ‘golden age’, writing several catchy songs in quick succession. That’s when the foundation of my music was really established. Around that time, I started hearing a common thread in my songs and realised they suited my voice.”
How would you describe the sound and atmosphere of your latest release to someone who hasn't heard it yet?
“My music combines strong melodies, melancholy, songwriting tradition, and a mystical and dark soundscape. Music emphasises simple and organic production, supported by elements of modern pop.”
Were there any specific moments or realisations that influenced the creation of the album?
“Making this debut album was a huge amount of work over the years. But in 2020 I felt like I had found my own way of making music and that was when I experienced a great enlightenment and passion for what I was doing.”
Could you tell us about your songwriting process and how the tracks on the album finally came together?
“Over the years, my friend Janne and I have been able to support each other and inspire each other to find our own way of making music. This debut album is in many ways about my own life, but some of it is also fiction. The last song on the album, 'Oon sun kaa', tells the answer to the theme of the entire album and a total of three different versions of this song will be released. This song is very personal.”
What is the central message or theme you wanted to convey through the album?
“The album was titled ‘Potential or Illusion’ because it tells a kind of love story. Love can seem to have potential, or it might turn out to have been an illusion from the very beginning. The message of the album is that we can never know what will happen in our lives, that we can only live and see where it all leads. In the end, we’ll find out whether there was potential in everything or if it was all just an illusion.”
“Love can be fragile and raw, or it can end in an instant. Life is fragile too, and we have no choice but to accept it. It’s often when we risk losing something that we truly understand life’s value. The album ends with one song released in three different versions: in Finnish, in English, and as an extended version. To me, this song, 'Oon sun kaa' (I’m With You), provides an answer to the question posed by the rest of the album. That’s why I consider it the album’s most beautiful and important song.”
What do you find is the most important element for you when you are sitting down to write a song?
“The most important thing is that the song evokes emotions in its creator (i.e. me). In other words, the song touches its creator. I myself write mostly melancholic songs. I feel that they are the best way to describe the world and its beauty.”
What has the reception been like for the new music, and what has been your highlight as a musician so far?
“I feel that my debut album has found quite a few new listeners in Finland. I have been active on social media, such as Instagram and TikTok. I would hope that my first English song on my debut album would find more new listeners abroad, also outside of Finland.”
What are you working on right now? Are there any new projects in the pipeline?
“Right now. I'm not preparing the next song, I'm just focusing on doing gigs.”
Finally, do you have any advice for new artists who are just starting out and trying to find their path?
“The most important thing is to trust yourself and make the kind of music you like the most.”
With a debut album that masterfully navigates the thin line between reality and dreams, Lisa-Aliina is proving to be a compelling voice in the Finnish pop scene. Whether she is performing in her native Finnish or reaching out to international audiences in English, her commitment to emotional honesty remains the heartbeat of her work. As she takes these songs from the studio to the stage, it is clear that for Lisa-Aliina, the potential is very much real.
For more, you can follow Lisa-Aliina today on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
