Pukka

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Music
Interview : Lauri from Pukka

When and how was your band created?
I was on a long trip in Canada&US on the summer of 2001 while the former band of Kalle and mine, Kitten was buried. I met Kalle immediately at the airport in London, and we spent a couple of days with our friend's house there. Pukka's beginning can be told quite exactly... Kalle was suggesting a new beginning/band while i was at first a little skeptic and wanted to have a break from the band business. However, in a cafe we found a common note and through the window i saw a big sign PUKKA. Jari and Sami were "waiting" in Finland with the former drummer Paavo. Daithi joined us last October.

Where is the name of the band coming from?
...yeah, from the window. In London they sell lots of Pukka pies, but the name has some roots in Jamaica, where the meaning is "good, genuine". Not a bad choice taken by a co-incidence?

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
Impossible to answer. I dont know if "your" is plural or not in the question, but our age group is on the range of 12 years so by that you can figure out something - what "strange, alternative, punkish" music were hot on years 1980-1992...hmmmm...

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
As many say, Finland is quite much a country for "a one thing at a time". The culture for underground music is really, REALLY small, and in Helsinki also. At the moment the big thing still seems to be gothic rock and so called hair rock from the 80's. We try not to care of those issues. People smell good music, and sometime even hear it.

How could you define your style of music?
"extremely progressive karaoke-punkrock" as a gentleman in Lahti described it.

During the years how has your musical style changed?
Kalle, Paavo and I from Kitten had pretty much a "basis" or a firm ground where to start building our cottage. I think Sami's role has gone all the time more important as he started to take more responsibility after the very beginning. That is heard in the music. Now, I think Jari & Daithi will be the new Lennon/McCartney of Finland, when talking about the rhytm squad. Krhm.

How do explain these changes?
...umm, i think i just did.

What are topics you treat in your songs?
Romance, failed romance, lease, argentinians...

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
It changes all the time. Currently perhaps, "Snowman". Main reason the above mentioned Lennon/McCartney of the Finnish drum/bass players, but the guitars that sound like Snowwhite's seven dwarfes on mushrooms while cutting trees give a special effect to it, can't refuse. "Nowadays", that's in the internet, is another.

Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
6-0 for Live when the atmosphere and real "Magic" is there! Studio when not. ;)

During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
The whole "Tetris", i'd say. Making songs is like Tetris. You can't stop the pieces from falling down (a reflection of an artists' DRIVE to make music), and with the band you just concentrate on moving the new piece to right or left. Usually left.

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song?
Yeah...

What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
Bipolar. It changed the whole thing, started a new "era" really. Posters, leaflets, radiostations and magazines still play their important part, but now internet is AMONG them. The negative end of the bipolar, the kids, especially the youngest, and SOME of them, have GROWN to a world where it's totally ok to steal. Thou shall not take... read the Bible, kids ;)

What "image" do you have of French music?
Very very vague. I had a conversation of this with a guy living in Nice and even he had trouble to name French rock bands. Considering the amount of culture and art that comes from different ranges music, is almost like a blank spot. Can rock music be too ANGLO for the French is that the reason??? Godspeed from Quebec is a personal long time favourite but i guess it doesnt count? Stereo Total is part French?

Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
Personally, "Emmanuelle" from the movie is a tune that STICKS to your head like a teenage guy's first facial hair...I don't know who the performer is. ;)

Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2006