Emmi Maaria is a Finnish artist based in London, with a really unique sound that combines pop, classical and folk music together. I checked out her song, On foot I wandered through the solar system, recently – it’s a fantastic piece of work, so make sure you give it a whirl if you haven’t already!
By Jane Howkins
You recently released a single titled On foot I wandered through the solar system, which we reviewed. What can you tell us about the track and what does the title refer to?
On foot I wandered through the solar system is the last song of a larger three-part work that reflects on my research on the use of Finnish literature in forming a universal female narrative.
The idea of space was to represent the future, speed and time. Endless opportunities, but also loneliness. Edith Södergran, one of the first modernist poets in Scandinavia, has been a great influence in my music. Her poem starts “On foot I wandered through the solar systems before I found the first thread of my red dress.” Södergran was ahead of her time, trying to fight a vile, economic and sexual domination over women to find her place and worth in the universe.
The musical language supports the idea of a time traveler walking on foot through the solar system. Besides the strings and horn arrangements, I added found sounds into the mix, such as sprinklers, wine glasses and a washing machine. At one point I sing in Finnish which brings a new vocal quality and a colour into the song. As an abstract element to represent chaos I composed one part without a specific key.
How has the reception been so far, and where can the single be purchased?
I feel each of my songs have attracted a bit of a different audience. This particular song is a little bit out of the ordinary and doesn’t necessarily open at the first listen. In general, people have been excited about the song. It’s been played on various independent radio shows and has been included on more niche music blogs.
Surprisingly you can stream On foot I wandered through the solar system on all major platforms (along with my other songs)!
Do you plan to release any singles in the near future?
I’m currently working on a Finnish folk cover I arranged some years back!
Do you plan to release another EP or an album anytime soon?
I’m researching ideas for a concept album. It’s is a long process, but I’m hoping to release some singles next spring.
What is the composition process like for you?
I rely purely on my intuition when it comes to composing, but I do need to go through some sort of incubation phase before starting to write anything new. I let myself observe everything that comes to the radar of my interest, I don’t act on it, I just let it cook and trust that when I sit down to record, I’m able to squeeze something out.
Has the pandemic hindered your work much?
I did my MA in London during the pandemic so if anything, I just stayed at home and wrote music. In that sense it was a very productive time musically!
Your music has elements of both folk and classical music, sounding very unique. What/who influences you most as an artist? What have you been listening to recently?
I’m extremely lazy when it comes to listening to or discovering new music at the moment. I have a long relationship with classical music due to former studies, but folk music is relatively new to me and came as part of my latest songs through Finnish poetry and literature. For the new album I’ve been collecting stories from Kalevala and Kanteletar (Finnish epic poetry) and I’ve searched for artists, bands and composers who have released music around these themes. I’ve found everything from Russian metal bands to Finnish operas and strange techno tracks. Until now my biggest influences have been all my mothers, Edith Södergran and Helene Schjerfbeck.
You’re based in London but are from Finland. What is the music scene like in your part of the world? What prompted the move to these shores?
I don’t have an updated idea of the music scene in Finland as I’ve been living abroad for some time now. I would imagine that the circles are quite small but the standards are high!
I visited London in 2017 for the first time and when I arrived at Liverpool station, I knew I’d like to live in London. I did my MA at ICMP in 2020 and decided to stay afterwards.
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
Soon, I hope! I have my first solo gig in London on the 6th of November, at The Finsbury. I rearranged the songs for a string quartet so it will be quite exciting to see how the songs will turn out!
Any last words for the fans?
Yes, a poem from Södergran:
On foot
I wandered through the solar systems,
Before I found the first thread of my red dress.
Already I have a sense of myself.
Somewhere in space my heart hangs,
emitting sparks, shaking the air,
to other immeasurable hearts.
– EDITH SÖDERGRAN