Désirée Saarela (solo)

Désirée Saarela – singer-songwriter, folk singer

Désirée Saarela is a Finland-Swedish singer-songwriter and folk singer whose vocal expression is strongly rooted in the folk tradition. The lyrics, the stories and the mood they convey are at the core of her music. Désirée is inspired by her surroundings, by people, relations, the forest, sea, open landscapes, nature itself – and all of this becomes songs. The experience of having moved several times between city and countryside has left its mark on Désirée’s life and also influenced her songs and lyrics.

Désirées path as a singer-songwriter started in her home city Helsinki in the 1990s. The Irish music boom sparked her interest in folk music, and the folk rock band Jane Raven was born. The band did many live gigs performing their own music, and released an album called Circles. Désirée’s characteristic songs have been compared to those of the likes of Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez and Ulf Lundell.

As a folk singer, Désirée’s work has centered on the Finland-Swedish folk music and folk song traditions. She carries the songs and stories of bygone times into our present day with her own interpretation as a storyteller. The traditional songs and Désirées own voice meet at a crossroads between traditional folk singing and newly written songs.

For more info see Biography