Hamara

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Interview : Hamara

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.
Interview by Vincent Lefrançois / 2003