Soulstab

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Interview : Juho and Pekka from Soulstab

When and how was your band created?
Soulstab was formed in 1999 by guitarists Matti Rautala and Pekka Muurinen. Basic idea was write good songs with attitude. Along the way we have gone through couple of line up changes, but now we are sure that this is the final line-up for Soulstab.

Where is the name of the band coming from?
It kinda represents our music. Music stabbing your soul.

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
70's rock, Motown sound, AC/DC, Elvis, Hendrix, 80's heavy bands.

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
Being a metal band would be a lot of easier here! We are in a way the only band in Finland playing the kind of music we play. Also Finland is a small country and in that sense with our music our real markets would be abroad.

How could you define your style of music?
Rock with soul of blues. Tom Jones meets The Rolling Stones in Detroit. Or in a nutshell: soul n' roll.

During the years how has your musical style changed?
We starded as a garage rock band. Along the way the songs have become more soulful and melodic.

How do explain these changes?
It was actually quite natural change. We all grew a bit tired to the garage rock kind of music and at the same time our current singer Mikko Lagerkrans joined the band. His strong and dark voice worked much better in the kind of songs we play nowdays.

What are topics you treat in your songs?
Women in good, bad and worse

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
It chances every moment..

Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Live gigs are our passion. We are definately a live band. But studio work is ok too.

During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
Getting it together with the whole band. Arranging the song and making it sound like Soulstab. Each band member brings his own flavour to the song.

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song?
Kirka's R.O.C.K.

What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
It is very good way to promote your band, and get to know the other underground bands as well. And also for a smaller band it is actually the only good way the promote and distribute your music.

What are your projects?
At the moment Soulstab is the main project of each of us. We are eagerly trying to get a record deal at the moment. So, "Hi!" to all French record labels and if you are in need of an unique and extremely motivated band, please do contact us.

What "image" do you have of French music?
You guys make a lot of good electronic music. You have also strong national music scene in France as we do here in Finland. People really respect the national bands and artists which isn't the case in every European country.

Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
Jean-Michel Jarre's Oxygene

On behalf of Soulstab to all of your readers, have a good Spring and remember to check out our website www.soulstab.com for our tunes.

Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2006