Sister Manik

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Music
Interview : Pinja from Sister Manik

When and how was your band created?
We started in december 2000. A few of us had playd together several years before, so we decided to create something we really like.

Where is the name of the band coming from?
I could tell different kinds of stories of how we've been in the middle of the woods all of our childhood and how terrible life is, but honestly... Our name comes from nowhere. I think!

We have a dear friend who is also our manager. He got the idea. Don't ask me what's in his mind. Probably our name decribes it well. =)

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
Almost everything between the music I like and don't like. I've always loved Ozzy, Whitesnake, Tina Turner, Kiss, Iron Maiden, Mötley Crüe, Dio, Madonna, Wham and a few Finnish artists... and Mozart, Vivaldi, I could go on forever!

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
Positive is that Finland is a small country. If we're going to a gig the trip is not that long. Everything here is quite near, in comparison to USA for example.

Positive is that you can walk in the streets without a bodyguard even if you're a big star. Hope we can keep it that way.

This smallness is also a negative thing. Towns are small, so there are few gigplaces for our kind of music. Not enough people!

The thruth is that about 5 people decide what you can hear on the radio. That's not fair. Listeners can always make a request. That's good, but it's a different thing if anyone will listen to it. Unfortunately there are a lot of negative things, but it doesn't matter. We just don't care!

How could you define your style of music?
Lots of chords, words, voices, keys, drums, guitar, bass, pvc-trousers, make-up, emotion, bright lights, rocking - hard - and laughing at ourselves.

During the years how has your musical style changed?
We were very dark and melancholic when we started.

Maybe we've been in the cold weather for too long 'cause we don't get cold so easily anymore. I mean, good mood is better than eternal melancholy and sad things can be said from a positive point of view.

What are topics you treat in your songs?
Me, myself and my panties.. which I don't wear =)

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
The Look is definitely the best, because our version of the song pleases me much.

Our own songs -Maybe all in a different order. Depends on the mood I'm in.

Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Live is always live. You can't compare them.

During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
The moment is when I fall into my own personal world. I can't hear or see anything else. Everything is so real, but at the same time so unreal. It's kind of a trance, but without any drugs.

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song?
Hmmm...I can't name the one, but there are few songs which are so good I could die and be reborn while listening.

Those are: Still of the night/Whitesnake, Mama I'm coming home/Ozzy Ozbourne, Show must go on/Queen, Don't talk to strangers/Dio and New Year's day/U2.

What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
Internet is both good an' bad. Good is that everything is available right now. In two seconds you can find amazing things. Webradios, messenger, interviews, bandsites, instruments manuals, instruments on sale and so on.

The bad thing is that anybody can do what ever they want. Too often it costs too much, like children who've lost their childhood somehow. That's sad! I'm saying this because as a musician I'm worried about these kind of things too.

And then there's piratism. Internet makes it very easy. Few people seem to respect the music enough to buy it. In their opinions CDs cost too much. If I've made a song how can anybody think that it's always free? I have to eat too and pay my rent too. Maybe we should ask those who do it if they pay their plumber? It's the same thing, paying for the work that's done.

What are your projects?
We're waiting for our album "Read My Lips" to be release 17.5. Before that we'll release our second radiosingle "Calling My Name", the first one was "A Bit Too Restless". Promotion has been centred on Finland. The album will be released exclusively here as well, for now.

We just shot our video for the title song on our album and next weekend, on Sunday 2.4, we'll have a gig in Oulu with the band Kilpi.

5.4. we're in Turku/Down Town. Check our website for more information: www.sistermanik.net

What more... waiting for summer during all of this.

What "image" do you have of French music?
First of all I must confess that I haven't any general view of french music. That's because I don't speak french. ... That's not a good reason, shame on me!

There must be french music I've heard, but I haven't realized it's french. (thinking with knitted brows..)

Now you got to remember that I speak only for my part. The others band members might have much more knowledge than I.

(... after 10 minutes...)

Now I remember something. Patricia Kaas and Mireille Mathieu. the last one is my mom's favourite.

Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
I like one of Patricia Kaas songs, but unfortunately I can't remember the name of the song. Tried to find it on the internet, but no luck. I can hum it!!!

I also like "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg", but Lauri from The Rasmus said it already.

Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2006