Hello everyone it’s your host Daniel from Dulaxi, and today I have with me the exceptional band, Grainville Train from Jyväskylä, Finland. And Grainville Train is here to discuss their recent sovereign single “New Hand to Hold” which was released on 24th April 2026. So, welcome, Grainville Train!. But before we begin our interview, to our audience; here is what you need to know about this artist.
Grainville Train is one of Finland’s early country-rock bands, formed in Jyväskylä in 2008 and known for developing a distinctive Nordic take on Americana that blends classic country rock with melodic soft rock influences. The five-piece group, led by guitarist and songwriter Esa Hautaniemi, draws inspiration from iconic acts such as The Eagles and Tom Petty, merging timeless American country-rock traditions with the atmospheric sensibilities of their northern environment. Over nearly two decades, they have built a reputation for storytelling-driven songwriting, warm and energetic live performances, and a strong commitment to authentic musicianship, often recording at their hometown Univaltakunta Studio to preserve their natural chemistry. Their catalogue includes early releases like “Long Hard Road” (2019), followed by “Dreaming of Tennessee” and “Set Me Free” (2024), and the internationally recognized “Michaela” (2025), which won Most Voted Song at the Final Music Awards 2026 (UK) and reached the semi-finals of the International Songwriting Competition, further strengthening their global visibility. Their latest chapter begins with “New Hand to Hold,” released on 24th April 2026 as the lead single from their upcoming debut album set for release in the fall, written by Esa Hautaniemi and built around a reflective crossroads theme that balances introspection with forward momentum; the track emphasizes live energy, organic tones, and straightforward production that highlights musicianship while symbolizing both a return to their 2008 roots and an evolved creative perspective shaped by experience, with upcoming live showcases including the Orimattila Country Festival and a major Truck Show event as they prepare for the album’s full release.
Having this brief Introduction about Grainville Train, I’m sure new and current fans must be excited about our Interview today.
INTERVIEW SESSION
Daniel: Grainville Train have been building this Nordic country-rock identity since 2008, how would you describe the evolution of the band from those early days in Jyväskylä to the sound we hear today on “New Hand to Hold”?
Grainville Train: We actually started out with country-rock back in 2008, but we quickly realized there wasn’t much of a market or demand for that specific genre at the live venues around here at the time. To keep playing gigs, we ended up performing a lot of cover songs that the audiences kept requesting. It was a great learning experience, but after a while, we reached a point where we said “enough is enough.” We felt a strong, mutual need to get back to our true passion, country-rock, and focus entirely on creating our own music. “New Hand to Hold” is the ultimate evolution of that decision. It represents us finally playing exactly the music we want to play, with the maturity and experience we’ve gathered over all these years.
Daniel: Your music blends the spirit of classic Americana with a distinctly Finnish atmosphere. How important has your hometown and northern landscape been in shaping the emotional identity of Grainville Train?
Grainville Train: It has been absolutely structural to who we are. In fact, our band name is a direct, literal translation of our hometown: Jyväskylä translates to “Grainville.” Our connection to the countryside and trains isn’t just imagery we made up; it’s our daily reality. Our rehearsal space is located out in the countryside, surrounded by open fields, with an actual railway line running right behind the building. On top of that, our songwriter Esa lives on a horse ranch, living a genuine cowboy lifestyle every single day. When we play country-rock, we aren’t trying to imitate an American fantasy. We are channeling the actual scenery, peace, and atmosphere of our northern everyday life into the music.
Daniel: Over nearly two decades together, what has helped Grainville Train maintain such strong chemistry and authenticity as a band while continuing to grow creatively?
Grainville Train: It all comes down to a shared, burning passion for playing music and performing it live for an audience. We’ve had quieter periods on the touring front over the years, sometimes because we’ve had to focus on the demanding seasonal work back on the ranch and farm! But even during those times, we used the opportunity to gather at our rehearsal space and work on new material. For us, having fun, playing together, and connecting with a wonderful audience at our shows is simply the best life we can imagine. That mutual joy and the lack of big egos have kept our chemistry strong for nearly twenty years.
Daniel: “New Hand to Hold” revolves around standing at life’s crossroads and moving toward a new horizon. What personal experiences or emotions inspired that central message of courage and renewal?
Grainville Train: For us, this song is primarily about a musical crossroads. Of course, we’ve all faced personal situations in life where we had to stop and choose a new direction, but as a band, this track represents the exact moment we realized we had to return to our roots. It’s about the courage to stop doing what everyone else expects of you and instead choose the path that feels right. We spent years playing what was requested of us, but we reached a turning point where we knew we had to go back to country-rock, the genre we started with in 2008. It is simply our thing, and it’s where our musical soul truly belongs.
Daniel: One of the most striking ideas in the story behind the song is the line about “looking back not to stay there, but to understand how you arrived where you are.” What does that reflection mean to you personally as artists?
Grainville Train: It means honoring our journey without getting stuck in the past. Looking back allows us to see the whole story: the early days in Jyväskylä, the years of playing covers, and the moments we had to prioritize work on the ranch. We don’t regret any of it, because all those phases were necessary to help us understand who we are today. We needed that history to realize how much our own music actually means to us. So, we look back to find that clarity, but our eyes and our energy are now strictly focused on the horizon ahead.
Daniel: The song is described as “the same heart, new shades.” How does “New Hand to Hold” reconnect with the roots of Grainville Train while still showing a more experienced version of the band?Grainville Train: We still play with the exact same touch, passion, and heart as we did in the beginning, but we are doing it as older, wiser, and more experienced musicians. The roots of this sound run incredibly deep, especially for our songwriter, Esa. Country-rock is practically in his DNA. He lived in the United States back in the 1980s, and that was when the music truly captured his soul. When he returned, he wanted to bring that spirit with him and eventually founded Grainville Train, which stands as one of the very first genuine country-rock bands in Finland. As for the “new shades,” our lineup went through a natural transition recently, which brought a completely new depth and character to our vocal sound. We’ve always wanted to profile Grainville Train strictly as a collective unit rather than focusing on individual members, so these new shades simply represent the next exciting chapter in the collective sound of the band.
Daniel: There’s a deep respect for legends like The Eagles and Tom Petty throughout your music. Were there specific musical or lyrical elements in “New Hand to Hold” that intentionally pay tribute to those influences?
Grainville Train: Absolutely. Our songwriter and band leader, Esa, has listened to these legends his entire life, and the music of The Eagles and Tom Petty has always been incredibly close to his heart. Those classic country-rock influences naturally bleed into everything we do because that is the exact musical tradition we represent. With “New Hand to Hold,” we specifically wanted to capture that classic Eagles-like atmosphere, and we feel we really succeeded in doing so. We focused on delivering clean, pure guitar sounds and a driving rhythm that evokes a sense of freedom, purity, and that ultimate open-road roadtrip vibe. It’s a conscious tribute to the sound that inspired us to start playing this music in the first place.
Daniel: Compared to previous releases like “Michaela,” what different emotional layers or messages were you hoping listeners would take away from “New Hand to Hold”?
Grainville Train: “Michaela” was an incredibly personal and intimate song for us. Esa actually wrote it for his daughter, who lives abroad for long periods of time. It was born from that raw feeling of longing and the emotional weight of a great physical distance, when words alone aren’t enough to describe the ache of missing someone. In contrast, “New Hand to Hold” is a song designed for everyone to draw from for their own lives. We wanted it to bring comfort and strength. The central message we hope listeners take away is that courage is always rewarded, if you just find the strength within yourself to take that leap of faith, step toward the unknown, and move forward, life will answer with something beautiful.
Daniel: Esa, as the songwriter and composer behind “New Hand to Hold,” what was the songwriting process like from the first idea to the final arrangement?
Grainville Train: For Esa, the songwriting process was incredibly natural and effortless this time around. The song didn’t require any forcing; it just flowed out completely on its own. In fact, the melody and the structure had been playing in his head for quite a long time already, so when it came down to actually writing it out as notes and lyrics, everything fell into place very quickly. Bringing it to life with the rest of the band was just as smooth. The moment Esa introduced it, everyone felt that the track was melodic, perfectly captured our identity, and felt exactly like us. Because of that shared intuition, the final arrangement came together almost effortlessly.
Daniel: The production approach focused on authenticity, natural energy, and avoiding unnecessary digital tricks. Why was it important for the band to keep the recording process so honest and straightforward?
Grainville Train: Because that is who we are, and it allows the music to sound like us. It’s simple: when you play what you feel, the process becomes effortless. We’ve never liked digital tricks or heavily processed music. We believe in an honest, organic, and genuine approach. True, deep sound comes directly from the instruments and the fingers of the musicians, not from computers or software. We wanted the listeners to hear the actual wood, strings, and human energy behind the music.
Daniel: Recording at Univaltakunta Studio in your hometown seems deeply connected to the spirit of the track. How did working in that familiar environment help capture the chemistry and warmth heard throughout the song?
Grainville Train: Univaltakunta Studio is a completely safe and familiar haven for us. The engineer there is a true professional and an incredibly great guy. He knows our band inside out because he actually works as our live sound engineer at our gigs as well. Since he mixes our live shows, he knows exactly what kind of sound we want and how we function as a unit. Having that level of trust and mutual understanding makes working and creating music incredibly easy and enjoyable. There is no guesswork involved; he knows how to capture our true live chemistry and translate that warmth directly onto the track.
Daniel: Grainville Train’s journey has now stretched across 18 years. Looking back, what moments do you feel truly defined the band’s identity and resilience?
Grainville Train: Our resilience definitely stems from the countryside lifestyle and that classic, uncompromising Finnish perseverance. Even though we had a few quieter years along the way, we didn’t slow down, instead, we just gathered speed to push forward even harder afterward. That uncompromising attitude toward country-rock has carried us through the past 18 years. Over the decades, we’ve also found deep appreciation in various subcultures, especially within the motorcycle community. In fact, back in 2020, we were officially voted as one of the top four motorcycle bands in Finland. We absolutely love playing that raw, open-road biker music. It’s a natural fit for us, especially considering Esa owns a Harley-Davidson himself, which, out here in the countryside, is just as essential as the horses!
Daniel: Your single “Michaela” gained international recognition and connected deeply with listeners because of its personal nature. How did that success impact your confidence and direction moving forward?
Grainville Train: It had a massive impact. Our music is built for everyone, completely regardless of nationality. But since the country-rock scene is quite small here in Finland compared to places like the United States, seeing “Michaela” get such a warm international reception truly warmed our hearts. It proved to us that our music resonates with people far beyond our own borders. That global feedback gave us a huge boost of confidence and made us realize that there is a real audience out there for our sound.
Daniel: After years of releasing singles, what does finally preparing to release your debut album mean emotionally for the band?
Grainville Train: We had been thinking about making a full album for a very long time, always wondering when the right moment would finally be. The international success and warm reception of “Michaela” became the ultimate turning point for us, it was the spark that made us say, “it’s now or never.” Emotionally, preparing this debut album feels like the culmination of our entire 18-year journey. After years of releasing separate singles, creating a unified, full-length record feels like we are finally building a permanent home for our music. It’s a huge milestone for us, and we are incredibly proud to finally present a complete story to our listeners this fall
Daniel: Country-rock often thrives on storytelling and honesty. How have your personal life experiences over the years strengthened the stories you now tell through your music?
Grainville Train: Life experience absolutely shapes everything we do, and you can hear and feel it clearly in our music. Our songs come from a place of honesty because we live this lifestyle every single day. Esa lives a genuine country life out on his ranch, and for him, working on the farm and tending to the horses isn’t a persona, it’s just his normal, everyday reality. That grounding connection to the land, the hard work, and the peace of the countryside naturally flows straight into our songwriting and lyrics. It gives our stories an authentic weight that you can only get by actually living the life you sing about.
Daniel: The phrase “returning to our roots from a brand-new angle” feels very symbolic. In what ways do you think the current version of Grainville Train is stronger or wiser than the band that first started in 2008?
Grainville Train: Back in 2008, we were just starting out and trying to find our place. Today, we are much stronger and wiser because we have embraced our identity completely. We don’t feel the need to chase trends or play what everyone else wants us to play anymore. We know exactly who we are, and we’ve learned to lean into our unique reality, our countryside roots, our history, and our genuine love for this music. That confidence makes us a much more cohesive and powerful band. And speaking of our roots and our name, that classic train theme is definitely going to play an even bigger role on our upcoming debut album, which we are very excited about!
Daniel: Your live performances are often described as warm and energetic, and fans continue inviting you back to events like the Orimattila Country Festival. What kind of connection do you feel most proud of building with your audience over the years?
Grainville Train: It has been a long journey with countless stages over the years, and those live shows have taught us so much. Most importantly, we’ve learned a lot from our audiences. Today, we truly know how to just relax and enjoy being on stage, we let the music take over completely. We are most proud of the mutual energy we share with the crowd. In fact, the audience at the Orimattila Country Festival has invited us back to perform there for the fourth time already this year, which feels like an amazing honor and makes it feel like a big family gathering. Our main goal is always to give everything we have and reward those amazing fans who take the time to come out and support us. That genuine, heartfelt connection is the best part of doing this.
Having Had A Close Listen To “New Hand to Hold”, Here’s My Thought On This Deeply Reflective Country-rock Journey.
Having had a close listen to Grainville Train’s “New Hand to Hold”, I find it unfolding as a deeply reflective country-rock piece that captures a quiet but powerful crossroads moment, where looking back becomes a way of understanding how to move forward. Written and composed by Esa Hautaniemi, the track carries a storytelling voice that feels grounded and unforced, with a raw vocal delivery that leans into sincerity rather than performance, allowing each lyric to feel like a lived memory being gently revisited. The line “I saw a river wide and slow, It carried dreams where I can’t go” stands out as a moment of emotional clarity, shaping the song’s atmosphere around longing, distance, and acceptance, while the chorus; “New land New hand to hold, a place where stories aren’t yet told… New skies new ties that bind, leave the old Seek what you’ll find”, expands the message into something universal, framing change not as loss but as a necessary step toward renewal and self-discovery. What resonates most is how the song treats transformation with restraint rather than drama, allowing silence, phrasing, and emotional space to carry as much weight as the words themselves. Musically, it rests on a warm, organic country-rock foundation built from acoustic guitars and a steady, grounding rhythm section that mirrors the forward motion in its themes, while the production keeps everything deliberately open and natural, highlighting musicianship over studio polish. This approach creates an intimate, almost live atmosphere where every element feels connected to the song’s emotional core, reinforcing Grainville Train’s return to their roots while also showing a more mature, reflective perspective shaped by experience. The result is a track that feels both grounded and forward-looking, carrying a sense of quiet momentum that lingers long after it ends.
~ Daniel (Dulaxi Team).
Finally to our audience, I urge to listen to “New Hand To Hold”, add it to your playlist and be inspired by it and on behalf of Dulaxi I like to appreciate you all by saying thank you everyone, See you on our next interview.
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