Mamba

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Music
Interview : Tero from Mamba

When and how was your band created?
First there was just a bunch of guys from Pori, Finland. We liked to play together and I already had some songs written so those first steps were quite easy to take.

Where is the name of the band coming from?
Frankly it doesn't mean anything. Former producer Jaakko Salo invented it. Originally the band was named Terveisiä Päiväntasaajalta but Mr. Salo thought it's way too long and complicated. He was right.

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
The Beatles and Elvis of course. They had the attitude and the music still has. Later Junnu Vainio and Repe Helismaa. Both Finnish songwriters wrote excellent lyrics, more like poet I'd like to say.

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
This is a small country so you've seen all the clubs, pubs and concert halls pretty soon. I've been touring over 20 years so there's not so many new places to conquire. The media is pretty narrow-minded and concentrated mostly to rock music.

How could you define your style of music?
Pop. It just pop. I'm only interested in hits, good melodies ja lyrics. My mission is to reach average joe with easy-going songs.

During the years how has your musical style changed?
Not much, believe me. Now we have better arrangements in music and professional musicians in band but the music is more or less the same.

How do explain these changes?
Well, maybe there's still a bit of ambition left.

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
There's many favourites on the set but maybe Tennissukat kirjahyllyssä is the best. It's strange and fast and tells a story of a guy who is panicing of meet his girlfriend. Totally nonsense but I'm proud of the lyrics.

Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Performing in small clubs is more for us.

During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
When lyrics are done the song is ready.

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song?
There's MANY of them. Sometimes I feel Billy Joel has wrote it or Sir Elton John or John Lennon. OK, let's say 10cc - Dreadlock Holiday. Or Van Morrison - Summertime in England.

What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
I'm addicted to net, let's face it. Internet is a great invention and has made the world smaller.

What are your projects ?
Now I'm writing new songs to Mamba's next release (AUG 2006). At the same time I run a indie record company Free Agent Records (http://www.freeagentrecords.fi/). Our next release will be Teemu Mattsson debut. We released Jukka Eskola's debut last year. It has been a great fun to push those albums forward.

What "image" do you have of French music?
Charles Aznavour cames first to my mind. I really like his voice and those romantic chansons he has done. I'm also a big fan of Eric Truffaz, he's so good and cool.

Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
OK, are you ready; Charles Aznavour - Que c'est triste Venise

Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2006