Paula Vesala
FinlandEarly Life
Paula Vesala was born in Kiuruvesi, Finland, and raised with her mother and two brothers. Her father passed away before her birth. Her mother remarried, giving Paula a stepfather and two more brothers. Vesala began playing the violin in elementary school and joined the school orchestra. She developed a passion for music and began writing her own compositions in secondary school, aspiring to join student theater productions. She graduated from Viitasaari's Vesala High School and moved to Kuopio at the age of 15.
Education and Career
Vesala initially studied at the University of Applied Sciences before transferring to the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. She became a child of a broken home once again when her stepfather passed away around the time PMMP, the band she sang with, released their first album.
Vesala is an outspoken feminist and was awarded the "Vuoden Lyyti" prize in 2011 by the Feminist League for the album "Kiestinki," which featured lyrics inspired by her grandmother's experiences during the war. Together with her collaborator Mira Luoti, Vesala launched a campaign through Amnesty International to fight violence and restrictions against women and girls. The campaign gained significant attention after PMMP gained widespread success.
Vesala has also voiced characters in Finnish-language films and cartoons, including "Asterix and the Vikings" and "Discomatoja." She has written songs for other artists, including Johanna Kurkela, Jenni Vartiainen, Vesa-Matti Loiri, and has translated songs for Swedish and Finnish productions.
In 2013, PMMP was honored by the Ministry of Education and Culture for their contributions to Finnish music, with Vesala and Luoti being recognized as new role models for young women. Vesala continued her education in the United States, studying playwriting at the Theater Academy Helsinki and UCLA.
Personal Life
Vesala gave birth to a son, Julius Kristian Ylönen, in 2008. His father is Lauri Ylönen, the lead singer of The Rasmus. The couple married in Las Vegas in 2014 and divorced in 2016.
Solo Career
In 2015, Vesala released her debut solo single, "Tequila," which achieved platinum status in Finland. Her second single, "Tytöt ei soita kitaraa," was released in 2016 and was followed by her debut album, "Vesala," which featured 10 tracks and was met with critical acclaim.
Legacy
Paula Vesala is a multi-talented Finnish artist known for her contributions to music, theater, and film. She has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including nine Finnish Grammys with PMMP, and is considered one of the most influential figures in Finnish culture in recent decades.
