Heavenly groove

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Interview : Pete from Heavenly groove

When and how was your band created?
This punch of guys started to play and compose own songs in the middle of 80's . On those days the name of the band was Pennejä Taivaasta ( Pennies From Heaven ) . We really focused to do this with huge piety and few times the band was VERY close for having a big deal with some record companies. However, every time something went wrong and nothing more happened.

After this long enterprising period we still wanted to play together, but now in the front of audience so we were wondering what should we do for having nice gigs to play. We decided to continue as a cover-band, playing only the best songs in the world.

It appears a huge amount of cover-bands in the beginning of 90's and somehow it was obvious every of those were playing quite "matter of course" stuff, like CCR songs, Sweet Home Alabama etc etc . . . ! We wanted to do this somehow different and a little bit more "sophisticated" if that's the right word in this case. We wanted to do more "groovy" stuff and because of our great and proficient singer Kimi Sjöholm we knew we have possibilities to do that . So, we started to practice playing songs from Toto, Earth Wind & Fire, Simply Red, Terence Trent D'Arby…

Where is the name of the band coming from?
Heh , this is quite funny thing . Then we got the first gig in the pub mid-town. While we were carrying our equipments inside, the owner of the pub was there as well . Suddenly he asked " hey guys , what's the name of your band by the way…??". We all were freezed on our foots because while we have rehearsed our repertoire we haven't thought this thing at all. We just stared into each others eyes until our experienced bass player , Mr. Ari "Haba" Hemmilä told without any scrupling the band name is HEAVENLY GROOVE ! The pub owner said "all right" and then we all said "all right" as well and keep on carrying the stuff inside. And , still after 15 years we are going with this same name which was discovered quite spontaneously.

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
We do not have a common inspirer with the group members. I do like myself hard-/heavy rock , Kimi likes pop music in generally , our drummer Markku "Mäikkä" Tuomi is a huge Rolling Stones fan and also likes a lot bluesy stuff etc etc . Keyboard player Pasi "Pännä" Lehtonen likes a lot 80's oriented aor-music like Toto .

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
Playing music is always nice! I guess this is the global reason why people are playing. I don't know that much about the negative things. Of course doing gigs in Finland the distances are quite long because this country is so long from south to north. And maybe another negative thing is the playing time is often so late here in Finland. It's not divergent if the band started to play 01 am.

How could you define your style of music?
Cover band playing the greatest songs in the world from 70's to 90's. Trying to do this respecting the original version from original artist as well as we just can.

During the years how has your musical style changed?
In this band it hasn't changed. Read the previous answer. We're trying to do this as first-rate as we just can respect the original version from original artist. Maybe during these years we might manage these song better because of routine and the hundreds of gigs we've been made.

How do explain these changes?
Like I just mentioned maybe during these years we might manage these song better because of routine and the hundreds of gigs we've been made.

What are topics you treat in your songs?
Faith , hope and love

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
Doobie Brothers song Long Train Running . It's so bloody groovy and song which brings good mood to everyone's minds .

Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
LIVE LIVE LIVE !

During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
Always when you go to bed there's a riffs and melodies popping up to your mind. Then you just need to stand up from there and write it down. Otherwise you won't remember it in the morning.

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song?
Today I say Helloween : Sole Survivor …tomorrow it might be something else.

What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
For sure there's good and bad things in this case. I think one good thing for the bands is the internet is huge forum to market your activities. Of course, the amount on information is so nonsensical in this forum so how to pop up from there. It's not easy.

What are your projects?
This is my project! KILPI is my "babe"!! www.kilpi.com

Actually, this is project for us all. Kimi has bands called Lemmenkipeet and Hitmen. Mäikkä playing in almost every band from this area which making gigs etc etc …

However, this is very important and beloved band for us. For example now we're going with Kilpi all time all around the Finland I do miss these guys as well because it always so nice to spend time with this splendid bunch of fellows and play nice gigs. But, when our "right of priority" bands are on their holidays we're immediately trying to have some gigs with Heavenly Groove and keep this thing alive. However we've been doing so much work for this during the years we really want this band to be timeless and everlasting.

What "image" do you have of French music?
I don't have any .

Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
I know one... The most erotic song in the world !!!! I guess it's from 70's or something…
If I understand correctly the name of the song in English is "I Love You" . It's so porn ! GREAT !

Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2006