Starboard Agency started in the early 2010s as a small, DIY project by three musicians—brothers Olli and Tommi Hakala and their friend Ville Lehto. At first, it was just a way to handle their own gig bookings. But soon, other musicians started asking for help, and the trio began selling gigs, sorting out paperwork, and organizing events, all while keeping things personal and practical.

The early days of Starboard were defined by a spirit of collaboration, with ordinary musicians supporting one another.

Alongside playing live, the founding trio spent endless hours in recording sessions—both with their own bands and as session musicians for others. Many of these projects were done remotely, teaching them to work flexibly and efficiently. They developed their production skills on the fly, meeting deadlines and quality expectations, but never compromising on one thing: authenticity.

No matter the genre or project, real musicianship has always been the priority.

Years later, Starboard Agency is still the same hands-on, musician-run operation. We nowadays offer a range of services, and we’re proud that many of our clients have stuck with us over the years. Some of our music we have on different platforms are used by musicians around the world every day, but we remain a small team, doing what we love.

The same three friends still lead the agency, driven by their passion for music and the joy of artistic collaboration.