Beacon St Radiants

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Interview : Dawson and Zack from Beacon St Radiants

When and how was your band created?
The band started as Zach`s and Dawson`s project in 2003. We had been friends for years, but then we realised we had similar interests to make music together. We started to record song ideas with a 4-track recorder.

Where is the name of the band coming from?
It comes from a place called Majakkaranta(Lighthouse Beach)in Turku. Zach translated it into something "more" interesting and cool sounding.

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
Dawson: Kurt Cobain, Noel Gallagher, Juliana Hatfield, Jeff Tweedy and Neil Young.
Zach: Kiss, Iron Maiden, Eddie Vedder, My Morning Jacket and John Corbett from Northern Exposure.

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
Positive thing is that Finland is full of creative people and different styles of music and artists.
Negative aspect is that it´s hard to make a living making music, if you´re not playing radio friendly music.

How could you define your style of music?
Our music varies between traditional american folk/rock/country styles and more contemporary pop sound.

During the years how has your musical style changed?
It has developed from just two guys playing acoustic guitars on a 4-track, to a fuller and more powerful sound.

How do explain these changes?
It´s a natural growth process, and Darwin´s law:)

What are topics you treat in your songs?
The usual relationship stuff, and overall pain of being a human.

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
At the moment our new song´s "Your Heart" and "Stay".We think those songs show the progress we´ve made after our first ep "First Degree Desperation".

Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Actually creating the song and having it work for the first time is the best feeling. But we love to play live too...and do studio sessions...all of them are great!

During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
Like I said finishing the songs at the first time. Also producing and putting the pieces together after recording is mighty fine.

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song?
Impossible to anwser, but Zach tries: Myrskyluodon Maija by Lasse Mårtenson..well anyway it used to make me cry as a small boy, my mom had to turn off the radio to make me stop.

What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
We´ve had great experiences about the internet. It´s easy to have people hear your music globally and make friends who share the same taste in music..hence My Space.

What are your projects ?
Zach plays in another band called Resident 43 / www.resident43.com

What "image" do you have of French music?
French music seems to be more sophisticated than most.

Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
What´s the name of that most famous song from Edith Piaf?..anyway that´s the best!!!!

Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2006