Lady Escape

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Music
Interview : Teemu from Ladyescape

When and how was your band created?
The band has been together since summer 2004. First Joona (bass) and Mikko (guitar) asked Teemu (guitar/singing) to sing in their Radiohead-influenced project and Teemu said yes immediatly. Couple of weeks later Ilari (drums) was found from a bar and finally Seidi joined the group early fall -04.

Where is the name of the band coming from?
The band's name comes from an unsuccessful attempt to get laid in Ilosaarirock 2004, the same place where the whole band was invented. Mikko and a friend of ours, Antti, did not succeed and everybody else found it quite funny. The ladies had escaped.

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
We all have been listening to alot of different types of music since little kids, so naming only a couple influences would not be fair to the others. But let's try it anyway . Our common favourites : Elliott Smith, Sielun Veljet, Moving Units , Refused , Lemonator , Downstairs , El Niklas, and The New Creation .

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
Positive : Places like Semifinal .
Negative : Places like Factory .

How could you define your style of music?
I'm so tired of genres . Mikko said it best couple of days ago when he said : Moving units meets Qotsa . And The New Creation ! (the new creation was my add) .

During the years how has your musical style changed?
As a member of Lady Escape I have learned how to write songs (phew,finally) . But if Lady E. does not count , I've come a long way from guns n roses to jose gonzales . It has been everything else but Cradle of filth .

How do explain these changes?
I don't know how to explain these types of things . Don't they just happen ? Began to listen to better music, wanted to be one Jeff Tweedy myself , found the best co-workers you can find without placing advertisements to a local music-magazine .

What are topics you treat in your songs?
The usual: "baby please come" , "baby please don't go" , "leave baby,please". Burning down houses , puke,rattle and drive-by. Storytelling, now with 30% truth included.

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
Today my favourite is "Pair of sneakers" . We don't play it no more,though. It reminds me of the old rehearsal space of ours.

Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Two different things . Playing live is more chaotic . Playing in studio is more inspiring . Both ways are as great.

During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
When the lyrics start to fit the melody . Usually they dont.

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song?
Oh fudge ... one song... I'll have to say that "The Infanta" by The Decemberists really knocked me off my feet when I first heard it.

What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
Best way to see what's hot and what is not. On the other hand it makes listening to music all disposable.

What are your projects?
I think I'll keep up the good work and A-A-a-a Staying alive,staying alive .

What "image" do you have of French music?
French music is the score for artsy-films or on the other hand it's all loungelectro alá F-com .

Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
I just bought Avril's album "members only" , so let's say that I prefer "can't stand your ex's rock band" .

Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2006