Ben Granfelt

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Music
Interview : Ben Granfelt

When and how did you decide to become a musician / singer?
When I was 11 I started playing and I started singing about 20 years later

Was this choice difficult to make?
No, I knew from the start that the guitar would be my "thing" in life

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
In my youth it was Dr.Feelgood,Mud,Status Quo and later on Deep Purple,Rainbow,Gary Moore etc.

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician / singer (in Finland)?
Positive= I'm doing what I always wanted to do, negative+being away from home so much ( I'm not playing in Finland so mutch any more)

How could you qualify your style of music?
Guitar rock with good melodies... maybe?

Have you ever considered the possibilty to change totally your style of music? If so, what style of music would you choose?
No ! I'm all the time pendling between rock,blues and pop

What are stories/topics you tell/treat in your songs?
Mostly my own feelings about life ,love and what's happening around me

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
My first instrumental song "Power of Passion" and maybe "Going Home" or "Picture perfect reality"

Do you tour regularly? Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Yes , I tour a lot with Wishbone Ash and I try to sneak in some gigs with my own band here and there. I definitely prefer playing live

What kind of music / What artists do you currently listen?
Michael Landau, Seal,Kings X, Kansas

What are your actual and future projects?
A tour of the US and the UK with Wishbone Ash and recording demos for my new album

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song? Why?
There are so many BEST songs that it's impossible to answer with out leaving something good out... I need a best song for every week !

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?
I don't really think about it, it's not my headache

Do you use computers or home studios during the process of making an album or a song?
I use my laptop to store lyrics but that's about it.I'm an old fashioned guy I use my acoustic guitar and my brain :-)

Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2002