OH? (FI)

It’s no accident that multi-instrumentalist and producer Oskari Halsti’s new solo music project poses a question in its very name. OH? is a musical venture which aims to find balance in opposing forces. With his music, an ever evolving blend of post-punk new romanticism and epic darkpop, Oskari finds the light in the shade, the bitter in the sweet, and the love in the hate.

OH? marks the start of a new chapter for the prolific Finnish artist, whose musical roots began in the remote uncharted forests of Nuuksio - an area outside of Helsinki where he grew up. Heavily influenced by his surroundings, Oskari’s music has always reflected his environment - and the now London-based artist has found more balance in the opposition of his rural early years, versus the chaos of metropolitan life.

Oskari has had an encyclopaedic musical history; playing in heavy metal bands, jazz ensembles and as part of the Universal Music signed trio Wedding Crashers. He was also asked to join his musical heroes, celebrated Finnish stalwarts Scandinavian Music Group, with whom he toured extensively as well as performing on two studio albums.

Sensing a need to channel his creativity into his own project, Oskari moved to London in 2020, at the height of the pandemic.

Between lockdowns, he was able to start writing, recording and performing music for himself, and OH? was born. The music of OH? is difficult to categorise. You can hear the post-punk influence of bands like The Smiths or The Clash. You can hear the haunting atmospheric synths of Joy Division, and the joyful melodies of New Order. The pop motifs of U2 or Oasis, or even Duran Duran. Oskari also cites the nonchalant expressionism of The National and the progressive vocal sounds of Bon Iver.

“These songs are an exploration in putting the introspective and the mundane on a pedestal, and seeing how meaningful songs and glamorous show elements those laconic observations can become.” explains Oskari. “They are a journey from the black and white of depression to an acceptance of an imperfect world, where we can start seeing colours in the little things again.”