KMA

[ WWW.FINPOP.NET ]

THE FINNISH POP CULTURE PORTAL

Music
Interview : Jaakko from KMA

When and how was your band created?
Two years ago I (guitarist) had an idea with my brother Harto (bassist) of creating a band. I met Oze (drummer) in one summer festival and he was interested to join us; we had a trio. We practised few months like crazy, and had one singer with for a while . When we were going to make a demo tape we met Toni (ex-MC of the band). He joined us and two weeks after the demo
was made, we got a deal from Univesral Music.

Was the choice to become professional difficult to make? Why?
It was actually really natural thing for me, because playing has been the most important thing for my hole life. Making music is what I have always wanted to do for living.

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
I have listened lot of different styles of music since kid. I have kinda roots/blues background, and there are lot of bands & artists in different genres that are important to me. To name a few: The Beatles, Deftones, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Faith no more, Refused.

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician / singer (in Finland)?
Finland has pretty small music markets, it´s kinda "familiar" here. But because of that record companies can´t / won´t take financial risks in signing new more altenative bands instead of some easy-listen-bubble- gum-pop. That makes our music scene to stay still, which sucks.

How could you qualify your style of music?
It´s difficult because we mix pretty much different things, and we also have different types of songs. But mainly it´s rocking metal, no nu-metal since we have no rap anymore!

Have you ever considered the possibilty to change totally your style of music? If so, what style of music would you choose?
Well it´s totally possible, our next album can be electro folk 74 minutes. But seriously, we just play what it feels good at one particular moment and try to capture that.

What are stories/topics you tell/treat in your songs?
It depends what our singer Miska has to tell. We are not a political band or anything, we mainly sing in things like ,er, love and sorrow.

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
It changes with time, but now for me it´s our brand new song called Käärmeenpesä (Snakepit).

Do you tour regularly? Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Both have good sides, and I like em both. I like to be precise in studio and to try all different things.
Gigging is having fun and losing presure that you get when you wrote music.

During the process of making an album, what is the moment that you prefer? Why?
The moment when it feels that now we have all the material to record,and it´s time for studio.

What kind of music / What artists do you currently listen?
Hardcore, trash, metal...bands like Killswtch Engage, The Haunted, Slayer.

What are your actual and future projects?
Right now we are writing new songs. We have no schedual on that, we just try to make good songs.

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song? Why?
Hmmm tricky question...I quess it could be The beatles Strowberry fields forever. Song that couldn´t manage into studio album.

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?
For new bands it´s really good place to spread their music worldwide. I don´t have a straight oppinion on this, but I guess places like Napster just take some bucks from Britney Spears and her record companies vollets.

Do you use computers or home studios during the process of making an album or a song?
I use it for "making" our demos, but I also make music of my own with it.
Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2002