Five Fifteen

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Interview : Mika from "Five Fifteen"

When and how was your band created?
When we were schoolmates at the end of the 80's

Were is the name of the band coming from?
The Who has an album called "Quadrophenia" and there's the song called "5.15." Later we started to use the letters "FIVE FIFTEEN"

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
The Who, old Bowie...ahhh I have more than 5000 records so this is...Life itself. Most of the artists who have survived longer than 20 years in this business are usually also very good ones...No "one hit wonders"...

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician / singer (in Finland)?
I suppose the same like everywhere else..."It's along way to the top, if you wanna rock'n roll" The most of the time in these days there's no time to concentrate to the playing itself because everything else (managing, bookings, negotations, promoting, etc...) takes the time.
There's no sense to play music as a profession if you really don't wanna do it, long hours and very stressing. Kids, there's always other chances... I think that's the same everywhere??

How could you qualify your style of music?
"Classic Rock"

Have you ever considered the possibilty to change totally your style of music? If so, what style of music would you choose?
NO

What are stories/topics you tell/treat in your songs?
What happens all around, flashbacks,the slogans from the fly on the wall. Sometimes personal messages to my friends and enemies...

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
It's not in our repertoire right now because the other band members don't like it...hah !...Perhaps "The prostitute" from our previous album, the one of the few songs that I have written about myself...Is there more boring than the songwriter who sings about himself?

Do you tour regularly? Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Yes we do tour regularly, some of the songs are nicer to play live and the others...I prefer the studioversions

During the process of making an album, what is the moment that you prefer?
When it's over and done

What kind of music / What artists do you currently listen?
Right now there's Motorhead on my cd-player. Before that Lucinda Williams

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song?
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrghhhhhh. Monty Python "Always look on the bright side of life" If you have heard that, you understand.

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?
Copyrights as a songwriter are very important to me. As a matter of fact they are my biggest incomes...So I really wanna keep copyright control rights in order.

What are your actual and future projects?
Be good, whatever it is... Ne pensez pas de ton petites miseres !!!
Interview by Vincent Lefrançois / 2003
Photo by Anja Behrens