He is the lead vocalist, primary songwriter and one of the founding members of the alternative rock band Poets of the Fall.

"Change", from the band's fourth number-one album Twilight Theater, was written by Saaresto in 1990.

Playground's primary members were Saaresto and Pohjoinen Syke jazz guitarist Olli Tukianen.

Saaresto modified it, and along with former Playground bandmate Tukiainen, wrote the now-famous single "Late Goodbye".

To assist them with production, Lake offered them the services of industrial musician Markus "Captain" Kaarlonen.