Rinneradio

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THE FINNISH POP CULTURE PORTAL

Music
Interview : Tapani Rinne from "Rinneradio"

When and how did you decide to become a musician / singer?
When I was a teenager, it just happened. I had been playing saxophone in school bands and also studying clarinet at concervatoire. So, it was a natural decision. Sometimes, I think, it might be cooler to be a singer, but on the other hand, I love instrumental music.

Was this choice difficult to make?
No, music was the most important thing in my life. Though I had a girl friend... (who is my wife now...).

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
There are so many: Rolling Stones, Weather Report, Mozart, Aretha Frankling, Jan Garbarek, Massive Attack, Björk, Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, Sibelius, Joni Mitchell, Johnny Cash, Underworld... and hundreds of others, too many to mention in an interview.

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician / singer (in Finland)?
Positive: Beautiful nature , even in Helsinki.
If you are good - have a name and reputation, at least - you have great possibilities to get grants. That helps you to consentrade in your own work.

Negative: Because of small population, the market in Finland is very limited. Record sales are low and so on.

How could you qualify your style of music?
This is difficult: Dance and Visions. Techno Jazz. Instrumental music, you can dance to it, you can listen to it.

Have you ever considered the possibilty to change totally your style of music? If so, what style of music would you choose?
Well, I just do what I have to do - musically. And I hope that my music is changing and developing all the time, little by little. But I would not choose the opera music, never.

What are stories/topics you tell/treat in your songs?
Everything that surrounds me. For me, music is allways political and music reflects it´s time. There is much power in music, especially in instrumental music. And every listener sees and feels it in his own way.

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
It depends, every day is different...

Do you tour regularly? Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
When I´m touring I miss working in the studio. When I´m working in the studio I miss playing live. It´s difficult to reach the balance.

What kind of music / What artists do you currently listen?
The scale is very wide, let´s say... Dusty Springfield, Leftfield, Michael Oldfield... It depends on what kind of mood I´m in.

What are your actual and future projects?
Making a new album, playing new material live. This normal thing. But it´s interesting and it keeps me going.

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song? Why?
It must be something from Massive Attack because they make so powerful and emotional songs. Tear Drops or Risington or Unfinished...?

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?
It is a good medium to deliver music. But on the same time, it is important to solve the problems concerning the distribution of music via internet. Artists still need the money that belongs to them.

Do you use computers or home studios during the process of making an album or a song?
Yes, very much.
Interview by Vincent Lefrançois / 2003