Montevideo

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Interview : Sam from Montevideo

When and how was your band created?
In 2000, my previous band The Pansies broke up. So I hooked up with drummer Tommi and life-long friend, bass-player Joakim. At first, we were just playing for fun - however, became more focused as keyboardist Aleksi and guitarist Michael joined in. By 2001 we had adapted the name Montevideo and played our first gig.

Where is the name of the band coming from?
As I'm sure all readers are aware, Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay. We have quite honestly nothing whatsoever to do with the city - nor the rest of South America for that matter. I remember when we were thinking of a name for the band, and started to think about geographical names: Montevideo was by far the most enchanting suggestion. I think we just really like the way it sounds, and as it happens a couple of us are working with moving images, so the 'video' context is also somehow relevant. Of course, as time has passed, we have developed a certain interest in the city, and are certainly hoping to visit there soon. I've heard that there's a great indie rock bar in Montevideo, so perhaps we could perform there.

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
All five of us obviously have our personal influences, but as a songwriter I've been impressed and undoubtedly influenced by such people as Nick Drake, Neil Young, Jeff Buckley, John Lennon, Simon&Garfunkel and Van Morrison. Examples of contemporary playlist toppers could be: Sufjan Stevens, Rogue Wave, Teenage Fanclub, Turin Brakes, Ed Harcourt, I Am Kloot, and current favourite Sébastien Schuller.

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
I think both aspects are in principal the same everywhere in the world, except for the fact that coming from a country like Finland I feel priviledged to be able to make music, and also being capable of supporting myself financially. These two might not yet completely meet each other, but I wish in the future they might. Finnish musicians are quite often complaining about their circumstances, but I think we have quite a lot to be happy about - such as a pretty vibrant independent music scene. I think if one has talent, vision and passion it's quite easy to establish oneself here, at least to some extent. It's not particularily hard to get gigs for example. Making it abroad is of course another thing, but I don't think it's really any easier for - let's say a French band. A lot of it comes down to perfect timing in the end - and of course, luck.

How could you define your style of music?
Singer-songwriter based, well-orchestrated, emotional pop music.

During the years how has your musical style changed?
I suppose the same happens with anyone who makes music consistently: influences become less obvious. I hope we're going towards an own, recognizeable sound. For me, both music I make and music I listen to, have become more personal as time goes by. I've noticed I'm also paying more attention to lyrics.

How do explain these changes?
In my previous band, The Pansies, I was responsible for composing but I barely wrote any lyrics, as they were the responsibility of co-vocalist Mia. With Montevideo one of the biggest challenges for me has been learning to express myself lyrically, too. That's actually one of the reasons it took so long for us to finish our debut album 'Come Clean', finally released in April 2006.

What are topics you treat in your songs?
Many themes reflect personal observations and events from real life. A carrying theme for the album is struggling to find one's true self, and one's place in the world.

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
At the moment I enjoy the album's title track 'Come Clean' the most. It represents the relief I'm feeling to be finally releasing this album. The album-making process was long, and there were many significant changes in the lives of everyone in the band. I think we're all happy, relieved, and eager to start work on our next album.

Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
I've always loved performing live, I remember enjoying it ever since a child, when I played my first ever composition in front of the class with a recorder. I must have been 7 or so. I like working in the studio, too, and I'm enchanted by what you can achieve with creative use of technology. But I'm sometimes a bit worried about not losing some of the uniqueness and warmth of a performance.

During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
The way I compose music is very intuitive - I cannot break it down to a systematic procedure. So I'd have to say the best moment is that surprising and exhilarating moment when I realise that something of a jam or an idea has transformed itself into a song. And usually at a later stage, when I come up with the right lyric, there is another great moment when the original feeling and mood meet up with the logic and wit of the lyric to complete the song.

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song?
Not a stupid question at all! For me there's only one answer to this one - 'Imagine' by John Lennon. I know I'm one in a million to pick this song, but I believe the world would (really, really!) be a better place should there be more of us.

What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
Internet has been vital for me, both as a music fan and musician, in discovering information and making contacts. Of course there are downsides to it as well, but I believe I wouldn't be answering thesed questions if there wasn't the internet... recently I also bumped into a South-American indiepop site that had a small article on our band. These things happen all the time. It's great that so many more people who share similar interests can find each other more directly.

What are your projects ?
Heh, I have too many! I'm working as a film director, so some might say that music is my project. But for me music has always been, and will always remain, closest to my heart of all the things that I do. Other projects include working on animation and design. I love cooking and travelling, too. I can also reveal a future project: next summer I intend to train my skills in gardening!

What "image" do you have of French music?
I like to listen to quite a bit of French music, such as Serge Gainsbourg, Plastic Bertrand (I'm not sure if he counts - he's originally Belgian, isn't he?), Air, Télépopmusic, Tahiti 80 and lately Sébastien Schuller's magnificent album 'Happiness'. I also think French hip hop is best in the world. My image of French music - and especially the alternative side of it - is stylish, innovative and broad-minded.

Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
There are so many great classics, so it's easier to name a current favourite: at the moment I'm listening to Sébastien Tellier's 'La Ritournelle' a lot. Great song!

Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2006