Finding the final form of Saaga has been a long process. Back to the year 2001, due to an art happening in her college, singer-songwriter Eeva Hartemaa decided to arrange some of her songs for a group of other instruments. As a result of this and a couple of other performances, a young composer gained a lot of encouragement and started to look for the right people to form a permanent ensemble.

One and half years later Saaga finally seemed to have found its permanent members with Lotta Rytkönen on backing vocals, Anni Riihihuhta on flute, Iina Virtanen on violin, and Lotta Luovila on cello. During the years 2002 and 2003 Saaga performed regularly in its hometown Turku and in the surrounding areas. With this group, three songs were recorded for promotional use: ‘The Swell’, ‘Here I Stand’ and ‘In This Endless Rain’.

Though expected otherwise, already the summer of 2003 was time of change. Cellist Lotta Luovila had gained a position as an office trainee for EU in Brussels. Also violin player Iina Virtanen was forced to leave Saaga due to an increase of family members. Kaisa Rytkönen and Tero Pajunen were luckily soon found as deputies for the gigs that had already been booked for the rest of the year, and after a year it was obvious they would remain as permanent members of Saaga.

In addition to the members mentioned above, between the years 2001 and 2004 in Saaga have also appered: Johanna Kinnunen and Helmi Arola on flute; Reetta-Liina Säilä, Saara Meriläinen, Siiri Anttonen and Anni Lindberg on violin; Noora Rönneberg, Salla-Maria Orvasto and Laura Piri on cello; as well as Lasse Toimi as a cellist on Saagas first demo recording in 2001 (including songs ‘Kitara’, ‘Rising Storm’ and ‘My Song’).

From 2004 until Today:

2004 was again a very active year for Saaga. Saaga attended a local band competition DBTL Open and made it until the semifinals, but was dropped because of too little commercial material. However, competition gave Saaga a lot of local attention and led to connections that now seem to be affecting our very close future...

In 2005 the future of Saaga was put on a trial in several ways. Lead vocalist and songwriter Eeva Hartemaa was tempted by the great wild world and moved to England to work as an au-pair. In the meanwhile in Finland, Tero and Lotta were occupied by military service. Eventhough several people thought that Saagas story was over, had Eeva promised not to forget about Saaga. After a year she got back with a whole lot of new songs and on 11th February 2006 Saaga was seen on stage again in Bar Downtown, Turku.

Getting back together after a year was a heart thrilling experience for each one of the band members. Everyone had not only had time to concentrate on themselves and make plans for their personal life, but also to realize how much they missed playing in Saaga. During this first performance since 2004, it was not only the audience that had tears in their eyes.

Althought Saaga had not performed in public in 2005, a lot of interest was expressed via internet. Aapo Hellman from Solmu Records was interested in cooperation and the contract was signed after the concert on 11th Feb 2006. In July 2006 Saaga spent five extremely hot summer days recording their new material for an EP, that is due to be released on 22nd November 2006.

After these years of uncertainity, band members feel they have finally grown together and Saaga has found a sound that has something from the heart of each member. Saaga has come to stay - open your arms and let the music hold you!