Lemonator

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Interview : Lemonator

When and how was your band created?
Midsummer -94, by the fire on an island in front of Helsinki. We decided we'll form a band that's loud, melodic and has a lot of beautiful vocals. Sort of like The Posies. Preferably fast songs. The first time we actually played was sometime in early -95.

Where the name of your band is coming from?
It's comes from a lyric in one of our early songs where we needed the word "lemon-aid" to rhyme with "refrigerator". We sang it "lemon-aid-eer". I think Ripa picked it from there and said there's a great band name.

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
Basically anything that's good. The Posies was the biggest inspiration for this band, but I mostly get inspired by the old music: Beatles, Beach Boys, Tom Waits, Neil Young, Nick Drake, Elvis Costello, Stevie Wonder, Big Star, Zombies, Left Banke, Jellyfish, anything from Jamaika, Motown... the list is endless.

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician / singer (in Finland)?
The bad thing is that the market is so small. It's hard to make a living as a musician in this country. Even the most succesfull struggle once in a while. Also, it's a long way if you want to make it internationally. The good thing is that people do this for the love of music, not because they're gonna be millionaire pop-stars. Everything's very real and honest - and the people are friendly and supportive to one another.

How could you qualify your style of music?
Melodic, melancholic but uplifting pop-rock for the people who like their music with a lot of emotion, and are not afraid to feel. Very song-oriented.

Have you ever considered the possibilty to change totally your style of music? If so, what style of music would you choose?
Not this band. I'd love to do very quiet music, which I'm sure I one day will. Also, music for the films is something that interests me, then again that's something we can do with the band.

What are stories/topics you tell/treat in your songs?
Mainly it's just about the human being and the difficulties in living with one another - in relationship. I'm not into mixing politics and pop. All the best songs in the world are love songs. There are other subjects as well, mainly to do with people abusing themselves, others and substances.

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
Probably "I don't want to live forever". It's just such a powerful song, the band is great and the lyrics are very close to me. It's about a dear friend of mine who died of an overdose.

Do you tour regularly? Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
We tour after every album. We've done about 200 gigs so far. I like both, the studio and touring. You need both if you want to stay sane and get better at what you do.

During the process of making an album, what is the moment that you prefer? Why?
When the album is finished. That's just the most purifying experience I know. It's happy, sad, exciting, thrilling, you're full of expectations, very proud... all this and more at the same time. You can't believe it's actually there. Can't wait for everyone to hear it!

What kind of music / What artists do you currently listen?
Lately I've mainly listened to all the 60's garage/psykedelia bands. Both of the Nuggets 4cd box sets are good sources to find a lot of interesting bands. My current favourites are The Sonics, The Remains and Sagittarius. I've also been listening to a lot of Bob Dylan and Rolling Stones. I'm also in a band that basically only plays Cheap Trick, so I've listened to a lot that as well. Of the new stuff I've loved the Tom Waits albums, Paul Westerberg and Flaming Lips. And the latest Elvis Costello. I must also mention the 4 cd Jellyfish box that just came out, it's wonderful.

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song? Why?
I have to name two: Caroline No by the Beach Boys and Nature Boy as Nat King Cole's version. They are both simply beautiful, the lyrics are perfect. Every time I hear these songs, my world stops.

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 a band like us, no million seller, it's probably more of an opportunity than a threat. I definitely think that the copyright thing should be sorted out because if this gets out of hands, the first bands to suffer are the small and interesting ones. They are the first to be dropped from the labels if shit hits the fan. People don't always realize that a lot of the money coming in from Madonna records goes to new and interesting acts. As soon as that income decreases, we all know the concequenses - it's not Madonna that's going to be dropped.
Also, I don't support anything criminal. But the net is definitely very, very intersting with all the possibilities.

Do you use computers or home studios during the process of making an album or a song?
I never did until now. I have a small home studio (computer) to work on the demos. It's great because I can take the songs further and come up with a lot of really interesting stuff. I use the computer like it was a 4-track tape machine, with a little more tracks of course. Very basic.

What are your actual and future projects?
Lemonator's #4 record is the #1 project for me. I'm also producing the next Egotrippi album at the moment which is really interesting. Another actual project that I have is that I'm radio Dj at Radio Helsinki (www.radiohelsinki.fi). I have a radioshow every Friday at 13:00 (GMT+2) and Tuesday at 17:00 (GMT+2). You can listen to it in the internet! A free, non-playlist radio, the best in the world!!!!
Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2002