Mikaela Finne released her first full length record earlier this month. This record is the result of a close collaboration with producer Oscar Harryson, and recorded at his studio SoundHabits Studios in Stockholm.
Finne is from Sundom outside of Vasa, Finland. Her unique voice is highly praised and in 2019 she’s been mentioned as “one of the hottest up and coming country acts from Scandinavia” by West Coast Country Festival.
Growing up, which artists would you say represent the history of country music in Finland?
Honestly, I don’t know. The country music I grew up listening to was Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Shania Twain etc.
How have these artists influenced your music?
Dolly Parton especially influenced me from the start because her music led me to so many other fantastic female country artists, such as Loretta Lynn, Linda Ronstadt, Tammy Wynette, Tanya Tucker and most importantly (to me) my No. 1 inspiration Emmylou Harris. But also so many more artists and bands, of course.
Can you tell us about the current country music scene in Stockholm?
The country scene in Stockholm has been growing slowly but surely the last 5–6 years or so, and it shows specifically on the amount of American artists in country/Americana that tours through here now. It’s quite small still but it is going to keep growing, I’m sure.
What did you get to experience on your trip to Nashville last month?
Oh my God, so much music! I was there for AmericanaFest mainly but stayed for about a week afterwards. I fell in love with Nashville and the people I got to met there. I guess it can sound like a cliché, but I mean every word of it. I felt very much at home in Nashville.
Favorite guitar to play?
I’m 100% a Gibson girl. Ain’t nothing like holding and playing a Gibson guitar. My main baby is my…