Stella

Formed during 2002 in Joensuu, Finland, Stella received an indirect boost from a reality television competition when non-member contestant Katri Ylander interpreted one of their compositions. An early contract with Sony Records yielded the 2004 debut Kuuntelija (The Listener), yet modest sales prompted a quick transfer to the Elements Music roster. Momentum arrived unexpectedly once Ylander performed the track “Piste” (Period) on Finnish Idols, transforming the group into a focal point for both press and consumers eager for new material. The resulting sophomore set, Pelkääjän Paikalla (On the Front Seat), appeared in 2006 and entered the domestic album chart at number five. The lineup of Marja Kiiskilä (vocals), Heikki Marttila (guitar, vocals), Janne Sivonen (guitar, keyboards), Tuomas Tahvanainen (bass), and Matti Virkkunen (drums) then delivered Löytäjä Saa Pitää in April 2008, which climbed to number three.