F.A.R.O

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THE FINNISH POP CULTURE PORTAL

Music
Interview : Sari from Faro

When and how was your band created?
The first of us started to play in the same band around the year 2000, and there have been a few major changes. Jussi is our third (or fourth, or fifth, depending on who you count) bassist, he was the last to join our gang during the winter 2005.

Where is the name of the band coming from?
Presently, our name is F.A.R.O, and we changed it from mere Faro when we learned that there's a heavy metal band in Germany by the same name. We're still trying to invent the best possible name to fit the acronym... We didn't want to abandon Faro completely, since it came to us through a long process. Faro in Spanish and Portuguese means 'a lighthouse'

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
Since there are five quite different personalities in the band, the musical influences are varied. Out of that myriad, I could mention for example Toto, Kuha., Absoluuttinen Nollapiste, Jimi Hendrix, and other rock culture classics.

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
Since we're not (yet) a household name in Finnish pop culture, it's difficult to say anything about Finland in specific. The positive side of being a musician is naturally the chance to convey your emotions to other people through writing and performing your own songs; the negative, because we're not professionals, might be fitting five lives full of work and activities around the band (not the other way around...)

How could you define your style of music?
This is difficult. Umm.. Intelligent funk-influenced pop-rock with a twist? That depends so much on the song, you'll have to make the decision for yourself.

During the years how has your musical style changed?
Most of the changes can be traced to the change rate of people in the band. In the beginning there was some gospel influence, but that vanished, and was replaced by a heavier rock mood, growling guitars etcetera. Since losing our second guitarist and gaining a keyboard player, the sound is lighter, but the melodics and structures seem more complex. And hey, we're just starting out, I don't even know what we'll sound like in 10 years time.

What are topics you treat in your songs?
There are moody pieces about sweet love and harsh pieces about dysfunctional relationships and then some about finding who you really are. It's easy to write about what you know best.

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
Each of us has their own favorite. Usually it's "the new song", or whatever we're working on just then.

Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Live, definitely. Practicing and rehearsing, even recording, is all fine and dandy, but that all aims for the one moment when you get on stage and start pouring the music onto the audience. And when they enjoy the hard work we've put into it, you just can't beat that.

During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
After we've put the parts together, after there's a melody and lyrics to match, and the first time we run through the song and it rocks - no matter who played what wrong and if it still needs tweaking, if we got through til the end without stopping, it's awesome. That's the moment when the song is born.

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song?
Besides our songs, you mean? Well... I would think it safe to say that if you look at the material from the bands that have influenced us, you'll find a lot of good candidates for that one special song. Then again, the goodness of a song depends on so many things that it's impossible to name just one song for all eternity.

What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
At this point of our musical career, the internet is pretty much our primary means of distribution. Without a record deal, we don't have to worry about piracy or other matters yet, and any download is good download so far. Personally, I do think that the musicians that make music as a dayjob should get paid fair for their art, and piracy constitutes as stealing that paycheck.

What are your projects ?
Besides F.A.R.O, our band members take part in such musical projects as The Ride, Costa Del Soul, and Sexaginta. Getting an academic degree can also be seen as a project, right?

What "image" do you have of French music?
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Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
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Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2006