Words by Art Jefferson
Images courtesy of Leena Ojala

There is something hypnotic about the voice of Leena Ojala. With a beautiful tone that is lifting, her power over the listener is like sonic voodoo. Musically varied, Ojala effortlessly glides over palettes of seductive electronica, alternative and deep pop like the strokes of a painter’s brush.

Raised in Hong Kong and Essex, then making the trek to London in her late teens, Ojala dropped her EP1 record in late 2015 via 51Den Music. To describe it as marvelously gorgeous would be an understatement as the media instantly began top ranking her with popular artists such as Låpsley and more. Leena Ojala also proved that she was just as talented as a producer as she is a singer.

Leena Ojala’s latest track ‘Poison Words’ is a lovely shot of pop with her personal magic touch of irresistible charm added to the mix. The new work also represents her versatility as an artist more than capable of creating multifaceted music. She is definitely one of the more exciting musicians that the world is ready to embrace with open arms this year.

You have an interesting background. You grew up in Hong Kong and Essex, later relocating to London. Has living in various cities throughout your childhood and soaking in the various cultures contributed to your approach in music?

Leena Ojala – I think we take it for granted that seeing different places and cultures teach us things without us really noticing. Especially when you are really young, you just end up imitating other kids and you just adapt and not really think about it. It’s only later that you appreciate the different ways you learn. No matter where you are, people experience the ups and downs but their outward responses can be very different. Understanding different cultures and behaviour helps you understand those emotional responses. And yes, I do have my influences. For example, in the track ‘Together We Have It No More’ I tried to remove the emotion from the chorus altogether so that it comes out as just stating the fact. This is an indirect reference to some pragmatic people I have come across.

When did you know that music was something you wanted to pursue as a profession?

Leena Ojala – I am not sure I have ever looked at it as a profession! I think I was like many other kids my age doing karaoke, imitating singers and making noise. I did sing in a choir and school events though. I always loved performing. When I started playing the guitar at 16 and writing my own music, I knew I wanted to study music and I have been working on it ever since.

As a singer and songwriter, when working on music that draws inspiration from personal experiences, do you ever feel like you may be giving too much of yourself to an audience or is it more like a form of release when sharing those moments?

Leena Ojala – I think that when you write songs and perform, you have to feel the song to get the right emotion out. And if you were not honest about it, it just wouldn’t come out right. And yes, it is actually liberating to get your feelings out in a song. I am a quiet person, but I never felt a need to hold back when performing my songs.

What inspired your song ‘Little Place’? Initially it begins with feeling like a small town is pulling one down and the belief that it’s time to move to a faster place. But there is also reminiscing by the second verse. It could feel metaphorical in a way as well.

Leena Ojala – I lived in the country and started commuting to college in London when I was 16. I moved there with my family a year later. I felt a bit restricted in the country but not unhappy. London was exciting, scary and wonderful all at the same time. To gain all that excitement, you are giving up a lot of personal space. I love London but I was pretty overwhelmed at first. ‘Little Place’ has the emotions I went through at that time. It’s a song about a major transition in one’s life.

Musically your EP is really moody, cinematic and epic. Did you already have an idea on the direction that you wanted to go sonically beforehand, or did that come throughout the process of the recording?

Leena Ojala – Thanks for the word ‘epic’ – I love that! My style used to be ‘contemporary folk’ as I called it. It was just me, my acoustic guitar and my songs which I kept on performing around London. I had more than 20 songs written. I picked eight of these songs and spent six months with someone to develop my style in the direction I was already going. The starting point was that I wanted to do electronic music and add more instruments to my songs. I actually worked on some less moody tracks as well but decided to put perhaps the three darkest tracks on my EP1. The lead track ‘Why’ underwent a transition, but it was based on a track I used to perform in my acoustic set since I was 18.

It should be noted that you also produce. When did you first delve into that aspect of the music?

Leena Ojala – I started using Logic Pro at school when I was eighteen and was getting better and better at it, but it was in Berlin two years ago plus the six months I spent developing my style that I really made major breakthroughs. I upgraded to Logic Pro X and I now work at home to get the full arrangement together, and I can record my vocals and do the mixing as well. I also do collaboration with others where I write and record a topline at home.

In your opinion, what’s the best thing about being a musician in London?

Leena Ojala – Being in London is great. There are so many creative people around. And there are so many venues to perform in – I would have never been able to do what I’ve done if I hadn’t come to London. There’s also so much music history in London. It’s amazing. I also find constant inspiration to write more material in London. I was on a two-week holiday last Christmas and I couldn’t wait to get back home and get on with my music.

What do you have forthcoming in 2016?

Leena Ojala – I will be releasing a track a month on average until the end of this year. I also have a video of ‘Your Tears’ coming out soon since I felt it was buried in EP1 as the second track. I want the story of that song to come out. I am also collaborating with a number of people, which was one of my major targets for the year. I will be doing more gigs as well with my electronic band in which I focus on vocals only, and I am also doing a stripped-back acoustic set with two other guys. I get to play the guitar again, which I really missed!

http://leenaojala.com/
https://www.facebook.com/leenaojalamusic
https://soundcloud.com/leenaojala
https://twitter.com/leenaojala
https://www.instagram.com/leenaojala/
https://www.youtube.com/user/leenaojala
Leena Ojala iTunes
Leena Ojala Spotify