L'amor

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Interview : Jana from L'amor

When and how was your band created?
In 2002. All members were found through the internet.
Although it took a while to get the right gang together.

Where is the name of the band coming from?
It means 'love' in Portuguese. We do what we do out of love for the music, so it fits us well.
It was also the only free word meaning love, that hadn't already been used.

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
There are so many good bands and artists, both older and young ones, that it's impossible to name just a few..
We don't really have any favourite bands..it's more like we are a cocktail of all the inspirational music we've heard.

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
Negatives..
- They don't really give enough chances to enough bands, instead they go with some 'formula' that at a certain time seems to work.
If something works for one band, all of a sudden there are 10 similar bands that they go for. And they ONLY offer this certain kind of music.
- Record labels are too afraid of taking chances
- Too little opportunities to get gigs; you have to be a big name to get decent gigs.The bands almost have to pay to get to play anywhere!
- Too few training facilities and absolutely too expensive!
- The starting hours of the gigs TOO late

Positives..sad to say there aren't that many..except that music in itself is rewarding enough so that we just keep doing it.Maybe when we get a record deal, and get to play at bigger places and festivals..maybe then there will be more positive things to say. But being a small band with no name yet, is a real struggle.

How could you define your style of music?
Melodic pop with elements of rock...

During the years how has your musical style changed?
At the beginning we played a little of everything, but now we are more choosy which songs we start working on.
We pretty soon know what suits us and what doesn't. We still write different stuff, but we just keep a tighter touch as to what really do become songs
that we want to develop. As musicians we grow all the time, so naturally the music deepens and grows at the same time. At least we hope so =) !!

How do explain these changes?
Well if you play something you don't really like and it's not really you, it's almost like selling your soul.
It also takes time to really find that style that is really 'us'.

What are topics you treat in your songs?
People, places, relationships and life in itself. Feelings, dreams, hopes. Pretty positive stuff mostly. But also disappointments and sadness.
The lyrics usually come pretty intuitively..

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
We have only made one record..where we put 9 of the best song we had at that moment. We like them all, so it's hard to name any above the others.

Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Live, absolutely! It's just so wonderful to see people's reactions to music that has come from your heart and soul.

During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
When you take the 'raw' song to the guys in the band and you explain what the idea is..and after a little hesitation they start playing and everything just falls into place.
It's a great feeling when you finish making a song. You just immediately want to play it live!

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening
in your life the BEST song?
There is no such thing for us! Again..too many good songs out there.
Also when you think of all the Top20 and so on lists, they are unnecessary if you think about it. They only tell you the record sales at that certain moment.
All bands and songs have their listeners.

What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
It really helps especially small bands to get noticed. It's so easy to listen to samples and just go out and get the cd after that.
Also it's jeasy to keep up with news etc..A very good thing!

What are your projects?
Just to make as much good music as possible and finally, maybe some day soon, get widely noticed !!!

What "image" do you have of French music?
Image...no image in particular..but at first comes to mind a band called Phoenix. A good band!
Also Francois Feldman...I really liked him in the early 90's..haven't heard any newer stuff though. Patricia Kaas also has a fabulous voice!!

Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
No, sorry, none in particular.

Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2006