Esa Linna is a singer-songwriter and power pop rocker from Finland, who received significant praise for his 2013 album, ”This Is Who I Am”, which featured Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (known for Jellyfish, Green Day, Ringo Starr, Johnny Cash).
”I Can See Myself” (released November 8, 2024)
A power pop anthem with rich vocal harmonies, blending indie, alternative rock, and classic rock influences. The song reflects on themes of fatherhood and self-acceptance, offering a hopeful message despite its melancholic atmosphere.
Review excerpt by Real Gone: “As a vehicle for re-introducing a long absent voice to the underground scene, this is a more than solid recording, but more than that: it’s a single that proves that songs don’t always need to be overly fussy to make an impression.”
”Dawnbreaker ’25” (released December 5, 2024)
A moody folk rock track reimagining Linna’s earlier song ”Dawnbreaker” with lyrics focusing on surviving the harsh Finnish winter and societal pressures. The stripped-down arrangement features keyboards, banjo, mandolin, cello, and more.
Trivia & facts
- This Is Who I Am received rave reviews in Finland and abroad, and has been sold in the US and Japan. The album features Roger Joseph Manning Jr. of Jellyfish fame (Green Day, Johnny Cash, Ringo Starr, Blink-182) and Seppo Alvari Pohjolainen (Seppo Alvari, Seppo Alvari & The Hikers, Aku Ankkuli, ex-Trio Niskalaukaus).
- Linna’s songs have been heard on FM radio stations in Oregon and Hawaii, among others, in the United States.
- Esa Linna & The Dawnbreakers performed in Liverpool at the 2015 International Pop Overthrow Festival.
- In 2013, Spanish filmmaker Carlos Atanes made a music video for the song Meat Market, which may shock the most sensitive viewers.
- Esa also plays bass and sings in the punk-pop band Time Flies, the Finnish rock band Sanoen, and the folk, prog, and ambient music-based Kaamanen Soundsystem.
Social media, streaming and videos at Linktree
Releases
She’s Not A Human Being – single, digital download (Esa Linna) – 2011
She’s Not A Human Being EP (Castello1) – 2012
Tunes from the 00’s CD (exclusively in U.S. by Kool Kat Musik) – 2012
Piece of Me – single, digital download (Castello Recordings) – 2012
Don’t Know What It’s All About – single, digital download (Castello Recordings) – 2012
Power Pop Planet Volume One 2-CD compilation album with ”Don’t Know What It’s All About” (Pop Geek Heaven, sold out) – 2013
This Is Who I Am – album (Castello Recordings) – 2013
Twilley Won’t Mind – CD tribute to Dwight Twilley Band including Esa Linna & Neverheard: ”Twilley Don’t Mind” (Zero Hour Records) – 2014
Power Pop Planet Volume Three – 2-CD compilation album including ”A Drop in the Ocean” (Pop Geek Heaven)- 2014
Power Pop Unplugged Vol. 1. – CD compilation including Milla Maria & Esa Linna: ”Tonight” (Zero Hour Records) – 2014
Esa Linna & The Dawnbreakers: You Give Me Headache – single, digital download (Castello Recordings) – 2014
What has been said about Esa Linna
””all in all the album is versatile as a whole, in the best power pop spirit…. Finland to the world map with power pop!”, Retrokki (in Finnish)
” ’This Is Who I Am’ is a fine ten [10] track guitar driven album with catchy riffs and some sweet vocal harmonies that oozes the influence of: Tom Petty, ELO & Jeff Lynne and The Beatles throughout”, 9/10, ELO Beatles Forever
”..contains amazingly lot of the spirit of The Beatles…material is good..can be recommended to those who lost their heart to 60’s and to those who are crazy about 90’s power pop”. Keskisuomalainen newspaper
”Linna’s 90s style reimagining of 60s style power pop has a crispness and joyousness here….more than reasonable choruses….fans of The Posies may find something with which they can connect….Give ’This Is Who I Am’ a try. You may be surprised”, Real Gone Rocks
”This album contains plenty of damn good melodic pop songs like Don’t Know What It’s All About, DIY and A Drop in the Ocean”, One Chord to Another
”His songs are very upbeat and very contagious. You will find yourself singing or moving along to the music after only a couple listens. If he follows the right path, his music should have no problem catching on with today’s pop/rock mainstream sound”, JP’s Music Blog
”Hopefully those interested of good pop songs will check out this true DIY album”, Finnish rock magazine Sue (in Finnish language).
”…mix of pure power pop and some rather beautiful slower paced numbers, Esa delivers both equally well with plenty of melodies and harmonies present in the proceedings, there is even a little darkness within too…quite a debut album…one of Finlands best kept secrets”, Ice Cream Man Power Pop and More
”As expected, the song is a well crafted power pop nugget”, Glue
”EP is an impressive demonstration of the vision and expertise of Linna, as a whole”, Retrokki (in Finnish language)
”Power pop enthusiasts will be keen to note that for the title track, Linna enlists the help of a cult hero: one-time member of Jellyfish, Mr Roger Joseph Manning Jr, steps in to lend a hand on keyboards and backing vocals.”, Real Gone Rocks
”Between both discs, he’s bashed out a series of sometimes slightly ragged pop songs driven by his energy and a knack for melodic pop hooks. It’s a ragbag of low-fi pop ditties oozing with charm, where heart and intent play a more vital role than top-notch musicianship. Quirky little songs of pop madness that are simultaneously simple, but so complicated, that are a real treat from this eccentric Finnish rock’n’roller! ”- Max Humphries, Kool Kat Musik.
”Esa Linna, who has been a bassist and vocalist for several bands (in several genres) since the early 90′s, has released a compelling new EP, She’s Not a Human Being. The title track is a wonderful power-pop song… the first song that got my attention was the folky “Piece of Me.” It’s a beautiful song that seems, at first, as if it’s going to be unbearably dark; however, the chord progression is so interesting and hopeful that it’s easy to be sucked in quickly… It’s just got this ghost-like quality that I absolutely love.” – Katie Darby at Katie Darby Recommends.
”Here’s a sparkling new tune and artist that you can look forward to hearing a lot more from in 2012 – Esa Linna. …. ”She’s Not A Human Being” reminds me a lot of Robyn Hitchcock and Martin Newell – and when is that not a good thing!” – Bruce Brodeen (Pop Geek Heaven, Not Lame Recordings)
”It’s a great power pop song, Roger Joseph Manning Jr. sings backing vocals and plays keyboards, Ty Tabor mastered it and it’s about a cat. I love power pop, I love Jellyfish and I really love cats. So what could be better than this?” – One Chord to Another