 When and how did you decide to become a musician?
I have been making music with a computer since early 90’s. It burst into flames when at the same time when finnish hiphop made its second coming such as Fintelligence in late 90’s.
What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
Broad scale of musicians have had influence on my music like Cypress Hill, Run D.MC.
Also all the 80’s heavy metal bands for example Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Wasp.
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician / singer (in
Finland)?
Finland was pretty distant place before Internet for independent musician to publish music. So www enabled artist to reach wider audience and also be influenced by other artist.
How could you qualify your style of music?
I consider my music as a coctail between rap and heroic metal music. I liked the combination of hiphops urban down to earth approuch and heavy´s high flying, mystical aspect.
Have you ever considered the possibilty to change totally your style of music? If so, what style of music would you choose?
As I told before I´m a big fan of old school metal music, so I´d probably make some sort of move towards fantasy metal with vxxxn edge.
What are stories/topics you tell/treat in your songs?
My main idea with my lyrics is that everything was more interesting in the old times. Todays world is too predictable and plain to write interesting stories. There is plenty of learning in history of legends. Finnish mythology is full of material.
What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
I think it is “Salaliitto”. I like the mystical background and its perfect rythm and rhyme. Big up for my man Maanvaiva and Antistara! “Salaliito” is all the things Hamara represents.
Do you tour regularly? Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
At the time, I am a “studioartist” and I prefer having a total control of my music hence I perform rarely live.
During the process of making an album or a song, what is the moment that you
prefer?
When the idea of the song evolves to its perfect form.
What kind of music / What artists do you currently listen?
Currently I´m consuming music with metal influence. Todays rap-music is not my cup of tea with its static backgrounds. Cypress Hill can still rock on.
A stupid question but… what is among all the songs you’ve been listening in your life the BEST song?
“Kiss the ground” by Ben Dover
Internet is something interesting for musicians because it gives them the opportunity to touch a larger audience but it is also a threat for them (regarding the copyrights). What is your opinion regarding this medium?
Hamara would not be without the Internet!
What are your actual and future projects?
Currently I´m searching for inspiration. I don´t want to invent the wheel for the second time. In the near future there will be new Hamara material.
January 17th, 2007
 When and how was your band created?
Me, Henri & Janne have been playing together since 2002. Henri and Janne had been together in different kinds of projects since they were kids. At the time I was also looking for guys to play with after my former band had fallen apart. We all met in Helsinki and when realised that we share the same interests in music decided to form a group. The original drummer was later replaced by Juho and the band has been in it’s final line up since 2004.
Where is the name of the band coming from?
Everyone brought their own ideas and Lucy was Driving sounded the best. We all enjoyed the idea of having a band name with a sentence. Also a name Lucy appealed somehow. Overall we thought it was original and had a nice little twist in it.
What musicians or artist did have a major influence in your life/work?
All band members have their own influences and it would be difficult to name just one. For example to me the music of The Beatles and Weezer have meant a lot through the years but it doesn’t mean that we’re automatically trying to copy their ideas into our music.
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
It’s hard to make a living in Finland just by playing rock music. When you sing in English you’re competing with all the world superstars so it’s a bit harder for you and your music to get noticed. It’s a shame cause many Finnish rock groups don’t get as much attention as they would deserve! But then again the people who come to shows are really into it and you get a wonderful audience to play to!
How could you define your style of music?
It’s rrrock! It’s hard to define our style more accurately. Sometimes the image you have may vary depending on who you ask! Roughly can be said that our sound is based on rough guitars and beautiful melodies.
During the years how has your musical style changed?
The basic idea of our music has remained the same but lately we’ve been getting even more courageous with our songs. Our sound and performing has gone rougher and more energetic. In my opinion, it has made our live performances more enjoyable.
How do explain these changes?
Maybe it’s not that much about changing as evolving. The idea of what we are and what we want to do has simply become much clearer during the years.
What are the topics you treat in your songs?
You could say that our songs treat all the aspects of human life and emotions. Even love is not forbidden subject in our songs! We try to put something in our lyrics that people can relate to. If you can find something you connect with, then we have succeeded. Otherwise you just have to listen more carefully!
What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
Right now I get the most kicks from our debut single Anything Goes.
Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
The best thing for a rock musician is to play live. No questions there!
During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
Hmm… The greatest moment is probably when playing a new song for the first time together with the band and getting that feeling that there’s something special going on.
A stupid question but… what is among all the songs you’ve been listening in your life the BEST song?
I have known so many great songs in my life it wouldn’t be fair to just name one.
What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
Internet has created an equal opportunity for musicians all around the world to get their music heard. Ideally it offers the possibility to listeners truly determine what they want to hear instead of big multinational companies telling them that instead - how does this idea work in practice is a whole different question though… And moreover one has to remember that although via internet it’s much easier to get your music published than before, it’s still as hard as ever to make it sound good.
What are your projects?
During the summer Lucy was Driving is heading to studio to record our second single. It’s going to be hot. So be prepared!
What “image” do you have of French music?
You don’t get to hear that much French music in Finland. I would imagine that’s because most French artists sing in French. And that is also my excuse for the lack of knowledge in this particular subject…
Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
Hmmm… Because this is the last question I should come up with something witty. But unfortunately I can’t name one.
January 18th, 2007
 When and how was your band created?
In 2002 by me and our second guitarist Juhani, we met and had pretty much the same goal in mind: to play music which has balls in it.
Where is the name of the band coming from?
No comment on that 
What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
Every true artist who does what he or she loves rather than being in it for the money.
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
Positive: A small country..
Negative: A small country, very hard to get noticed because you’re definetly alone in the business and (sadly) the main focus is radio friendly hits these days.
How could you define your style of music?
Mainly rock with a hint of heavy influences but still melodic.
During the years how has your musical style changed?
Not that much, maybe gotten a little more aggressive, it lives a life of it’s own..
How do explain these changes?
I love heavy music but also other styles like funk and I try to incorporate those flavors to the music. And the other guys bring in their influences too, and every day you feel like playing something a little different.
What are topics you treat in your songs?
You need to ask that from Jani our vocalist
What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
A new one called “Sailorman”, it blends all the good aspects of our music: heaviness and melody.
Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Live definetly (whenever we get a change..)
During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
When a new idea comes up and gets stuck in the head, it’s also interesting to see your ideas grow. The way we do songs is mainly between Juhani and I, me bringing most of the ideas to the table.
A stupid question but… what is among all the songs you’ve been listening in your life the BEST song?
“Can’t touch this” by MC Hammer :), seriously, can’t narrow it to just one.
What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
Definetly great way to unsigned bands (like us) to promote your material. Also a great way to find new cool bands.
What “image” do you have of French music?
Not familiar with the “underground” scene, but I can see a commercial vibe to it.
Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
None, sorry
January 18th, 2007
 When and how was your band created?
In 1997 the three of us started Plain Fade during the teenage angst years in Lamminpää, a suburb of Tampere, Finland. Other members came along few years ago. We have all been friends in the childhood way before the band.
Where is the name of the band coming from?
It just came. The name contacted us before we did.
What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
I think in general we respect honest and uncompromising artists with some kind of independent nature. To mention some, we admire a wide range of artists from King Crimson to Matmos, from Vesa-Matti Loiri to Darkthrone. From Mozart to Ligeti…
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
Finnish culture is original. The nature and the traditions are very unique and inspiring, I think. The underground scene is also vivid. Then on the other hand we are a small country and located very far north so building contacts and organising events can be sometimes a bit tricky.
How could you define your style of music?
It is hard. We play dramatic-mellow-symphonic-punk-hymn-anthems.
During the years how has your musical style changed?
The style has developed quite naturally during the years alongside our personal growth. Which is nowhere to be seen;)
How do explain these changes?
I think we have a certain will to experiment with new ideas and go to a new direction every now and then. And like I mentioned, we change, Our music is a portrait of us and the world that surround us.
What are topics you treat in your songs?
The state of an silent individual, large topics in the small things, life and death and right and wrong. And something else, like Simo Lignell, the man behind the Länsitori-supermarket at Tesoma. I mean who runs the place. So he is not literally “behind” the market. Or maybe he is. Occasionally.
What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
They are all our deeply loved,precious children.
Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
When everything works, the live situation is the best place to be.
A stupid question but… what is among all the songs you’ve been listening in your life the BEST song?
It might be the traditional Finnish folk song Suojelusenkeli (Guardian angel) performed by Tapio Rautavaara, not Lovex.
What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
It is all in all in communicating today and I think internet has tremendous opportunities. If you mean the illegal downloading and such- I think people have the responsibility to think on their own behalf. Downloading illegal, free mp3’s from the internet is stealing. It is a crime. Period. Buying albums from the record store, ordering them online or buying mp3’s online makes it possible that musicians can continue their work in the future as well.
What are your projects?
Our bassist Juho plays in Fume www.fumeband.com and guitarist Miikka in Candy Cane www.candycane.tk I occasionally compose music to some independent theatres
What “image” do you have of French music?
You have a bagel on one hand and a glass of wine on the other and proper,
stylish outfit and you sing tiny lullabies and walk down the Champs-Elysee
in the afternoon sun, don’t you?
Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
We tend to jam together the theme from Ravel’s Bolero. So I think that’s it.
January 18th, 2007
 When and how was your band created?
In 2002 we decided to form a band that would play honest and straight forward type of rock’n'roll. We knew each other from previous band projects so it was pretty easy to know that we would work nicely as a team. We tried out a couple of second guitarist until we realized that we don’t need one - we sound a lot better with a clear trio sound.
Where is the name of the band coming from?
It doesn’t really have story to tell. We just figured out some names that would in somehow sound like our music and in the other hand would not categorize us too much.
What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
We get a lot of different kind of influences from various artists and music styles, but I think that the main focus is in the history of rock’n'roll. When we started the band we had just realized the greatness of bands like AC/DC or The Ramones or why not Melrose or Hurriganes in Finland. Then there’s the whole 90’s nordic rock’n'roll or actionrock scene with The Hellacopters and Gluecifer and let’s not forget punkrock with Social Distortion and that sort of stuff.
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
The positive thing is the freedom of being yourself and being able to express your feelings with your music. The negative side is the fact that we have only 5 million people here so you really don’t have a much of change of making a living out of this kind of marginal music. when you sing in finish I mean. The radio channels are boring as hell with their one-sided playlists because of the marginal audience.
How could you define your style of music?
I think it’s aggressive rock’n'roll. Someone might call it punkrock and that’s true too.
During the years how has your musical style changed?
Sure, I mean when your skills get better, you kind naturally change your songs to be more challenging to your self and have a lot of more options were to go with them. We started to play simple rock’n'roll but today we mix up pieces from rock’n'roll, hardcore, punk or even soul. What ever we think is passionate, honest and sounds good.
How do explain these changes?
First of all, like I said, you get better as a musician. Second of all, you grew up: you start to like music that you didn’t understand when you were younger and so on. It’s all natural and a part of a lifetime learning process.
What are topics you treat in your songs?
First of all individualism - the freedom of being your selves - is one my favorite topics. I also like to sing about the issue of living today and not thinking about the next morning all the time. When we started we kind of decided that Roihu will not do love songs because it’s an issue that has been written out so many times. I mean there’s a lot more to life than all that “I miss you baby” -stuff, even thought of course that’s important too.
What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
This is a hard one. It’s really difficult to say because my opinion changes all the time. Because I’m the one who composes most of the songs, I kind of have a new favorite every day. That’s why my today’s favorite isn’t even in our live repertoire yet. From our older stuff you should check out songs like “Kruunu” or “Perjantai 13.” - you can actually download them from our website www.roihu.com.
Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
We’ll I think that rock’n'roll is all about live performing. It doesn’t ever sound as good, when it’s recorded and it probably never will. I mean the intensity of a band sweating there asses of and giving everything to the music is something that you really can’t get from anywhere else. This doesn’t mean that I don’t like being in the studio - I love it. I think it’s always a great challenge and it’s wonderful to hear your own music from the speakers. I also love producing and recording - I even have my own studio.
During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
There really aren’t any particular moments to mention. The songs make them selves - kind of just pop out. So I don’t do songs in that meaning. But when I think of it, of course the greatest moment is when you hear the whole band playing the song.
A stupid question but… what is among all the songs you’ve been listening in your life the BEST song?
Not a stupid question, but a really, really hard one. I can mention one song that really made a difference in my life and that is a Norwegian band Gluecifer performing “I Got a War”. That’s pretty much the song that made us form Roihu and also the song that made me interested of everything about rock’n'roll.
What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
Well it helps when promoting your band and it makes informing your fans a lot easier. I mean I can still remember the times when you had to listen to the radio or read magazines to find out when your favorite band is coming to perform in your city. In the matter copyright issues or illegal downloading it’s pretty much 50/50 good or bad: It’s bad when I see kids listening to their favorite band from a CD-R (or iPod etc.) and not even thinking about supporting them in any financial way, but it’s also damn good when I hear that people have found new kind music styles to listen - styles that the commercial radios don’t play or you can’t here anywhere else. It’s not a thing that I’m worried about, but of course making music costs a lot of money and I think musicians should be rewarded from that in some way. Buy the albums you like ok?
What are your projects?
Well if we talk about music, besides Roihu I have another band project called the Bloody Mosquitos and we should be recording something shortly. I have also recorded a few demo songs on my own as a solo project - I play all the instruments and even record the stuff myself. We’ll see when I’ll ready to release something with that. I also do some recording to other bands on my studio occasionally and work as a live sound engineer when needed.
What “image” do you have of French music?
I don’t really have one! Which is kind of weird, because I’ve studied the French language for like 8 years or something? So Je parle un peu francais but don’t know nothing about French music.
Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
I don’t even know (or remember to know) any French songs so no I don’t have one. Any recommendations? Write them to our guestbook at www.roihu.com
January 18th, 2007
 When and how was your band created?
It was founded at the fall of 2004 in Jyväskylä. Few friends decided to put up a project band but soon it became much more important and we quit our main bands.
Where is the name of the band coming from?
It’s an abtract name which sounds good but later we have heard that red number two also means certain color lipstick!
What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
We all have our own favourites, but everyone in our band likes Tool, Oceansize, Mew and Faith No More.
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
Nowadays it is positive that everybody knows that being a musician can be regarded as a “real” job and musicians are more appreciated than before.
Negative aspects is that being so far away from the other world makes it more expensive to make gigs abroad.
How could you define your style of music?
Progressive mainstream alternative rock.
During the years how has your musical style changed?
Towrds bigger and bigger sound. There’s no rules anymore.
How do explain these changes?
We realised how we want to sound and learned some tehniques for that.
What are topics you treat in your songs?
A finnish man in the cosmic eternity =)
What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
Few new songs under the working titles of “Makyoh” and “Old Grinder”
Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Both have good sides. It has to be a wonderful gig to have such a good vibes that you can get in the studio when you record something new and fantastic.
A good gig still beats up lazy and complicated studio work.
During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
At the rehearsal, everybody gives their best shot and finally we create something out of everybodys reach.
A stupid question but… what is among all the songs you’ve been listening in your life the BEST song?
I don’t know the best song, but there was a time when I couldn’t listen Tori Amos’ song called “The Cooling” without crying.
What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
Excellent tool doing things - good and bad.
Do you have a website?
Yes, http://www.rednumbertwo.com
What are your projects for the band?
Recording the first full-lenght album this year.
What “image” do you have of French music?
Air and Phoenix are excellent…I don’t know any other bands from there…
Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
Air : Vagabond (excellent, excellent song!)
March 20th, 2007
When and how was your band created?
It was originally started 1999 in Riihimäki - which is a small town about 60 kilometres up north from Helsinki - when our singer-guitarist Okko asked Tomi, guitarist as well, to kick out some jams with him. Okko had previously played in a punk band and wanted to do something different, to create beautiful pop music instead of noisy punk rock
There were some difficulties in finding a right guy to play drums and it wasn’t until late 2002 when the band really came together once the drummer Sampo joined the group. Anyway, the final spice to the soup was added in late 2004 when a tall engineer named Matti Olavi Töyli joined the band to play clarinet, saxophone and a little synth named “Nautilus”.
Where is the name of the band coming from?
It’s a bit boring answer, but it doesn’t really have any special meaning, I suppose it just sounds fascinating. Apparently it was Okko who came up with. There were some bad suggestions before, like “Justin’s Case” and “Purple Sunday” for instance.
As one can imagine, over the years many people have said that it’s too long, but we think that the name actually describes the band’s sound quite well. And who cares about people’s opinions anyway. Look how well Creedence Clearwater Revival has done ! And if you really really like to, you can always use the shorter version of our name (our CCR version) UwSSoc.
What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life /work?
Apparently there are only three bands that we all like: Pink Floyd, The Flaming Lips and 22-Pistepirkko, but since there’s no easy way to do this, I’ll just name a bunch of good ones that most of us enjoy: The Beatles, Radiohead, The Doors, Sonic Youth, Björk, Deus, Air, Nick Drake, Jeff Buckley, Primal Scream, Johnny Cash, Talking Heads, Magenta Skycode, Rubik, Kastor, Nirvana, The Velvet Underground, Sigur Ros, David Bowie, The Cure.
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
Positive: There are not too many bands, at least good ones, in Finland, so it might be comparatively easy to receive attention once things start happening. Another nice thing about the small circle is that you get to know a lot of new cool people easily when you tour with other bands etc.
Negative: There are only very few good places to play gigs. And this is important: people listen way too much heavy music, which means: 1) that there must be something wrong in our collective unconsciousness 2) summer festivals are filled with bands all dressed in black 3) people end up picking the wrong records from the record stores: instead of buying one of ours
How could you define your style of music?
Progressive pop. Art punk. Prog-rock. Folk pop. Ambient heavy indie! Emotional chill-out music. Underwater sleeping sounds. Whatever you like! We’re not indie puritans, we make music for everybody.
During the years how has your musical style changed?
It has changed a lot. I would say there have been at least 4-5 different phases:
1) straight American influenced pop/rock guitar music, a bit melancholy
2) acoustic phase, stripped down folk music
3) prog-rock phase, that’s when the weird c-parts started to appear!
4) indie-rock phase, everything combined
5) NOW, underwater-indie-progressive-folk-ambient-art-punk-pop
How do you explain these changes?
Listening to too much David Bowie can do that I guess.
What are topics you treat in your songs?
That should be a question for Okko to answer, but I remember that a journalist asked this same thing once, very cleverly. He asked Okko that which word would describe his lyrics the best: underwater, sleeping or society. The obvious answer was sleeping. There’s actually a song called “Dream Song” in our first ep.
What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
My personal favourite is perhaps “-P” at the moment, it’s a long progressive song that evolves very slowly and once it explodes it’s almost like religious experience.
Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Definitely live. If you play rock music and you don’t enjoy your presence on the stage, you’re in the wrong business.
During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
It’s the first time when everyone gets that kind of “THAT’S IT!” -feeling. It might come after 20 minutes or it might take 4 months. Some songs never get to that phase. But they are the bad ones, so they’re meaningless anyway.
A stupid question but. what is among all the songs you’ve been listening in your life the BEST song?
Life On Mars by David Bowie. Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles. I Was Made To Love Magic by Nick Drake. Those three came to my mind first.
What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
I absolutely love it. It has helped us a lot. Myspace is the best forum to get to know new, totally unknown bands from all over the world.
Do you have a website?
Sure. It’s www.uwssoc.net
Our Myspace is www.myspace.com/uwssoc
What are your projects for the band?
Do you mean goals? To make good music. Make people happy. See new places.
But first of all, make good and timeless records that sound good even when you’re 80.
What “image” do you have of French music?
It´s a shame to admit, the image I have is kind of stereotypical. It’s sort of like this. “Edith Piaf singing about her unlucky love in the 1950s”. But surely there are many great contemporary French bands as well, Air being the most obvious one to mention. I should get to know Phoenix as well.
Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
It has got to be Je Ne Regrette Rien by Edith Piaf.
March 20th, 2007
 When and how was your band created?
Zack and I (The Muff) founded the band about 4-5 years ago, but we did’nt get serious about it untill Mr.Tikka, who is my brother joined on drums in 2003.
Where is the name of the band coming from?
Well we wanted a name like KISS, a name that you remember and like, and everyone wants to get naked…right?
What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
Here it comes…..aaahhhh: KISS, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Blues Brothers, Van Halen, Black Crows, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Isaac Hayes, Rush, Bon Jovi, Goo Goo Dolls, Thin Lizzy, Billy Joel, Cheap Trick, Stevie Wonder, The Hellacopters, Alice Cooper, Backyard Babies, T.Rex, Queen, Mötley Crüe, Rainbow, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Hanoi Rocks, Sam & Dave, Def Leppard, Police, The Who, DLR, James Brown.
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
Well…hmmm let me ponder………The crowds are nuts and everyone is crazy, but I guess that’s the case everywere. Ok I’ll try again, It’s great!!! The negative side: narow minded people!
How could you define your style of music?
We call it Broadway rock, and I’m proud to anounce that we are the only Broadwayrock band in the world!!! Big guitars, bigger drums, confetti, a little smoke, ripped t-shirts, lights, sweat, choir robes, megaphones and a positive mind, hip hip hurraaa!!!
During the years how has your musical style changed?
YES! we’ve found the Naked sound with this album(Let’s Get Naked… And Start A Revolution)
How do explain these changes?
Well at a point we stopped sounding Crap! and became something unexplainable!!! Now how’s that for an awnser.DAN WEEKS?
What are topics you treat in your songs?
Life basiclly and everything that comes with it, the good and the ugly.
What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
Well I like them all obviously, but I have special place in my heart for “High On Blue Love” I wrote it on my sofa when I woke up hung over from beer and viagra:) without a guitar, the melody just popped into my head.It whent to #5 in the single chart in Finland. Then I like doing Revolution live, that’s great. It whent to #4 in the charts.We shot a cool video in london for it and got arrested!
Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Live, that’s what a band should do.But I don’t mind the studio!
During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
The moment? writing a good song dude! I hate forsing them out of me for hours and hours, the best ones come easily.
A stupid question but… what is among all the songs you’ve been listening in your life the BEST song?
The list is endless and changes all the time but on of the best is bohemian rhapsody by Queen, I like dancing in the moonlight by Thin Lizzy as well:)
What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
It’s great! I’m all for it!!! go go go! check out www.nakedonline.net and www.myspace.com/nakedofficial
What are your projects ?
NAKED!!! that’s all I do
What “image” do you have of French music?
Slim to none, I know that K Maro rapper dude ha haaa. But nothing else comes to mind right now!
Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
Edit phiaf???? She sounded awsome
January 18th, 2007
 When and how was your band created?
We had a group called Maximum Liver Explosion that already included 4/6 Moses. It kinda worked as the Big Bang to creation of the whole new world of Moses Hazy…Well that was pompous.. But anyway the band was formed in Tornio, a smalltown in Northern Finland, `bout two years ago. It just happened to be the place where the brains of this six-headed dog met.
Where is the name of the band coming from?
Well that`s a long & old story. And we actually made a promise that we’d never ever tell it to anybody. But let`s just say that “Moses” alludes to lust we`re creating on our gigs and “Hazy” is for.. I guess it`s for whatever you want it to be for.
What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
There are plenty of ´em. Just to mention a few of my own..mmphh.. Pink Floyd, the band that made my life, and Neil Young, the man that made my life! You want a list? You got it: Wesley Willis, Roky Erickson, Bruce Springsteen, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Hellacopters, Iggy Pop, Jimi Hendrix, King Crimson, Kingston Wall, Led Zeppelin, Lou Reed, MC5, Neil Young, Rolling stones, The Clash, The Doors, The Stooges, the Who, Wigwam……..There`s no end coming for that and doesn`t everything effect on everything..? So forget about it. -The greatest thing in music, from the view of a listener, is that you never stop finding good music..That´s why it`s the best hobby,I mean lifestyle, ever. And Moses Hazy is all about music diggers, Rock&Roll&Blues&Jazz&Soul&Funk&Progressive®gae&Ska&Psychedelic…. ..So let`s just say I/we dig good music.
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
I`d like to answer on this one as a musician from NORTHERN Finland.
Positive: You haven`t got many choices, there is nothing to do here but to get high with the music. And you find easily beautiful landscapes and peace & quiet `round here. Well not for long, I think, thanks for Eurocitys, IKEAS and all the others satans little helpers…
Negative: The lack of places to rock. In Northern Finland there ain`t too many bars nor other places to arrange gigs. And it`s quit long way to drive to southern cities and back, expecially for one bloody concert which you don`t even get paid, goddam.
But generally there is a lot of great music in Finland and there are many people with good responsive attitude on all that weird shit there`s made.
How could you define your style of music?
Rock. I usually leave the defining for you journalists.. But it`s a kinda Rock´n´Roll without any limits. You can hear a lot of different styles of music in it..Check out the list above!
During the years how has your musical style changed?
Well we started playing Kiss and when we wrote our first own songs for M.L.E. it was all about actionrock, but it sure has changed a lot. and here we are now.
How do explain these changes?
I usually don`t. No, One reason for sure is the instruments we have, like saxophone, trumpet & piano. The other is that we`re listening so many kinds of music. And I guess we knew from the beginning that you can´t draw any limits for this group of maniacs.
What are topics you treat in your songs?
Life. Stuff. You may find some opinions ´bout things in´em because there are opinions, `bout things. But there are also lots of meaningless stories and from each song you get on the average 15% of your daily humdrum-psychedely needed.
What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
It changes often depending on the last gig or if we´ve just recorded something. ´Guess right now my favourit song is..mbgh.. Play That Damn Guitar from our soon-to-be-released album The Incredible Flow Of Life Show. And the reason is that I was yesterday in studio with a couple of beauties recording female backing vocals on that one.
Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Absolutely Live! I think that rock`and´roll albums should be mostly promotion to invite people to the gigs. And our studiowork haven`t started working as good as the liveperformances.
During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
Of course the moment when you for the first time think that the song is done now; And you see that it`s good. It could be alone with guitar as you finish the lyrics or with the whole band when everything just clicks. And when ever the basic form of the song changes to something totally different.
A stupid question but… what is among all the songs you’ve been listening in your life the BEST song?
I really can`t answer seriously to this one.. So I just say Wesley Willis´ Arnold Swartcgchzenegger (how do you spell it anyway?).. Which is actually a great song. And there ain`t no stupid questions, just stupid answers. And you can bet your testicles I`m full of ´em.
What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
It`s a great thing for young unknown bands like us to spread their music all around the world. Of course in some cases it takes away the support from the artist but it`s the blues of today, isn`t it? `Cause in the end Internet is not half as bad thief compered to what record companies have been and still are. And it`s gigs you should get paid for…And I really can`t feel too bad for Metallica.
What are your projects ?
Like I told we´re now finnishing our debyt album and before the summer we`re about to start recording our next album which is kind of a re-recorded collection from our EP´s. And we´ve been planning a summer holiday by the Kuivajoki (Dry River) after June filled with gigs. The holiday includes the recording sessions of our third album, a country/roots-stylish LP, in an old countryhouse. and for sure, gigs gigs gigs and more gigs. So we`re a bit busy with the “Mo´s Trilogy 2006″, as you see.
What “image” do you have of French music?
Few years ago I was spending some time in some smalltown near Brest and cruising `round western parts of France with my local friends. they had a great reggae-band Makaks Mekaniks, don`t know if I spell it right. And I also heard many great funky ska-bands there, I guess it`s quite popular in France..? Ceux Qui Marchent Debut (?) was also great band live and on record. I saw so many great gigs but remember not as many names of bands.. But of course Edith Piaf, Serge Gainsbourg, Francois Corneloup and Bela Fleck & Flecktones etc..etc.. Also we`ve had one great half frenchman playing with us, Marc “fast finger”
Gondallier De Tugny, who played banjo in one of our EP´s.
Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
Makas Mekaniks: Aualpe tout la nére (?)
C´est bon, comme ça.
January 18th, 2007
 When and how was your band created?
We started Dive in 2003. We did two demos shortly after that and now we are working on an ep and an album, which will hopefully be released later this year.
Where is the name of the band coming from?
Dive is about looking inside of ourselves, about the things we’re keeping under the surface.
What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
Joy Division, Depeche Mode, The Smiths and Kate Bush are main influences for myself. The boys are into Ride, Swervedriver and other noisy indie hulabaloo.
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
We are in the great position because we have found the right people to work with. They are hard working and they believe in the same things that we do. It took time but now we are mainly happy.
How could you define your style of music?
Today I would call it sophisticated new wave. Tomorrow something else.
During the years how has your musical style changed?
When we starded, our music was more or less punk music. I still love the attitude that punk bands have and it?s good to see them live. But I like to do more melodic stuff and songs that touches our audience. In the beginning it was just rage.
How do explain these changes?
It’s the way we always wanted to go, but we didn?t first know how. Now it’s all here. It feels very nice.
What are topics you treat in your songs?
They are mostly sad love songs. We are now working on new tunes that are much happier. But even in our darkest songs there is a glow of light somewhere.
What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
Probably some of the new ones; Apart or Shiver. They just work so well. Songs you can dance to.
Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
I’ll choose gigs. We are blessed to have such a lovely audience every night. I can’t see doing this without playing gigs to our fans. I love to talk with them after the shows as well.
During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
I prefer the beginning and the end. In the beginning I?m alone with the song and it takes me to another places. I’ll always try to cacht a certain mood to each song. Then we try the song with the boys and if and when it starts to work, it is incredibly touching.
A stupid question but… what is among all the songs you’ve been listening in your life the BEST song?
It must be Kate Bush with Hounds Of Love. I love the mood and the intensity on Kate’s vocals.
What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
As we are an indieband from Finland it?s a nice way to promote our music. That’s why we have fans in the States and UK. And who knows maybe in France too!
What are your projects ?
I’ll try to make Dive as good as I can. That’s my project.
What “image” do you have of French music?
I’ll have to admit that I don?t know french music that much. I read sometime ago the biography of Edith Piaf.
Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
Any of Edith Piaf’s songs. Perhaps “L’hymne à l’Amour”. We used to listen to it with my father when I was a kid.
January 18th, 2007
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