Kaisa Mäensivu is a composer and a jazz musician who plays double bass. She is active in Finland and internationally. Kaisa holds a Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music and also graduated from the jazz department at the Sibelius Academy. She divides her time between New York and Finland. Her band, Kaisa’s Machine, performs regularly at major jazz clubs and festivals in Europe. She published her debut album In the Key of K (Eclipse Music) in 2017, and New York based Greenleaf Music has published two of her albums, Taking Shape in 2023 and Moving Parts in 2025. In 2024, Kaisa signed with the German booking agency O-tone Music.
We talked with Kaisa about the grant she received, what inspires her, and the importance of grants.
You received a grant in the 2025 round to cover the international launching and marketing costs of the Mini Machine project. Tell us about how the project has advanced.
“I have gradually been working on material for a smaller ensemble, that work is still ongoing. Kaisa’s Machine was originally a quartet, later became a quintet but now I have become interested in working with a smaller combo, a trio. A double bass is a quite challenging instrument due its unique character and sound. It interests me how it would work with a smaller combo. The grant has given me the opportunity to explore that in practice, as well as how to approach an international launch.
We have performed the new material live in April. Next, we will make videos and promotional materials to allow our German agency to start proper marketing efforts for the project. Central Europe is our primary focus at the moment and we are concentrating on that market.”
What inspires you to make music? What environment or situation do you need to be creative?
“What goes to the environment, I do not really need anything special. In fact, it can sometimes be more difficult if I have reserved a workspace and feel like I have to achieve something. A lot of my ideas come from simply jamming and playing, and just listening to music. At the moment, I am listening to a wide range of artists, such as Tigran Hamasyan, Frank Sinatra, Chick Corea and also music by my peers and friends. Max Light, for example, is a top guitarist and his brilliant compositions on his new album are a source of inspiration to me.
In New York, there is an incredible network of musicians and so many jazz artists come here. New small venues are constantly opening in Brooklyn. It is wonderful to part of that scene, even though living here certainly has its challenges.
My mobile is an important tool for me, my voice memos are full of ideas. Inspiration often comes on tours because you get to play so much. The more you play, the more ideas you develop. It becomes a wonderful cycle that feeds itself.
I also compose at the piano. Recently, the electric bass has started to be more and more attractive. It has previously been more a secondary instrument for me but never really a passion of mine. It is interesting, though, because it is easier to bring to the forefront. An electronic element is beginning to emerge in my music. I want greater simplicity and clarity to my music.”
What does receiving the grant mean to you?
“The grant means so much. When you get ideas for projects, you are actually able to realise them. It means absolutely everything. Of course, I would be making music anyway but the grant gives me peace of mind to execute those ideas and move forward. Mini Machine, for example, is possibly a quite long-term project and now I get to work on that.
In an ideal world, everybody should get funding for their creative work because you need initial capital to create. But where would that money come from. It is really important to have an opportunity to turn your ideas into reality.”
Our warm thanks for the interview Kaisa!
Visit Kaisa’s webpage: www.kaisamaensivu.com
Follow Kaisa on Instagram: @kaisazz