Jore Marjaranta

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Interview : Jore Marjaranta

When and how did you decide to become a musician / singer?
I quess I've always had a dream of becoming a musician, as long as I can remember, but my career as a professional musician started in 1987.

Was the choice to become professional difficult to make? Why?
No, it wasn't difficult at all. It was was a chance for me to make the dream come true, and start earning my living by by being a musician, so of course I took the chance.

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
The most important musical influences go back to the 1970's and 80's. Most importantly it maybe was the singers, not bands that affected me. I admire such singers as Freddie Mercury, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel and Don Henley, and basically all male tenor singers with a good voice.

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician / singer (in Finland)?
On the positive side I could list that currently Finnish music has a strong postion in Finland, equal to foreign music. Finnish bands make excellent music and are very professional. Music is like any other form of art, which requires a lot of creative work. However, being a musician does not necessarily always pay off. It would help us a lot if there were 10 million people more in Finland! Also, due to long distances in this country, we must travel a lot and this travelling is even harder during the cold winter months.

How could you qualify your style of music?
Finnish pop/rock, with a British flavour.

Have you ever considered the possibilty to change totally your style of music? If so, what style of music would you choose?
During the past 14 years, I have changed my style of music quite a number of times. I've been the lead singer of the Leningrad Cowboys group, and Guitar Slingers and Albert Järvinen band. Changing a style or or renewal is always good for you, I think. The future is uncertain, but I hope to be able to find something new again when it feels like it.

What are stories/topics you tell/treat in your songs?
My songs tell of the same things that about 99% of the songs in the world: love, losing love and aspiration of something new.

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
Of my own songs my current favourite is "Miten pelko lähtee". It has been my greatest hit ever, and has helped mee enormously to proceed with my career.

Do you tour regularly? Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
I enjoy touring very much. I've been touring all this year, and will continue till the end of October, after which I will take a break and make a new record.

During the process of making an album, what is the moment that you prefer?
The moment when all the songs have been recorded and I know that from my part the record is finished, that is my favourite moment.

What kind of music / What artists do you currently listen?
In addition to the French ones I mentioned earlier, I've been recently listening to the new album by Coldplay. Also the latest albums by Kent and Travis have been my recent favourites.

What are your actual and future projects?
A new single will be out in January, and it will be in the soundtrack of a new Finnish film called "Pahat pojat". The new album is expected to be out in April.

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song? Why?
When I was a young boy I used to practise singing by singing along the various artists while listening to their recordings. The most important song for me was the Bohemian Rhapsody by the Queen, because it was so challenging.

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 do not like the idea of people getting music free, knowing that the artists have devoted a lot of time and money for making the music. You can't just walk into a shop and take whatever you like, either. However, I khow that this problem is hard to control. Otherwise the Internet is an extremely important source of information. You can for example get loads of information about bands by visiting their homepages.

Do you use computers or home studios during the process of making an album or a song?
To put it simply: yes. The whole record-making process is computerised nowadays which makes the editing of the music extremely more efficient. I also make the lyrics by using a computer.
Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2002