Space Bar

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Music
Interview : Passi from Space Bar

When and how was your band created?
Space Bar's first rehearsals was in December 1998, first we played mostly cover songs (Smashing Pumpkins, Stone Roses,Duran Duran, Simon&Garfunkel etc.). First real own song was "Mouth" in summer 1999. First demo, including 3 songs, was made in May 2000. Fall 2000 we made our first gig in "Jyrki hit challenge"- competition. and surprise, surprise: Third place ( 500 bands had sent demos ) since then there has been a lot of line-up changes, Dean-era with female vocalist 2002-2005, and now back under Space Bar-name Jussi Saxlin is back as a singer. Few other previous members also joined the band. Lot of changes, lots of songs. Current lineup get together a month ago. And it sounds great.

Where is the name of the band coming from?
First it was a joke, we were doing some recordings in studio and always pressed the spacebar of computer to stop or start recordings. Hey, Space Bar! This could be funny name? Later we have to decide the name and we thought that Space Bar describes just what we were: Large and spacious guitar sounds, lyrics out of space, and some of us spent lot of time in bars. And we use a lot of sci-fi movie-like keyboards and modern drum loops. So Space is for machine part and Bar is for the rock'n'roll part.

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
I have always tried to make timeless songs and combine many different styles. I think influences start back in 60's continuing to nowadays: The Beatles, The Who, Thin Lizzy, Cheap Trick, The Cure, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Def Leppard, Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails, Paradise Lost, Muse. Those are the bands I can admit to have influence in my music. But major influence is still my old band Jumalainen Näytelmä ("Divine comedy" in english, or divina commedia) there are lot of similarities in JN and Space Bar music. I wrote music for both bands, so it is unavoidable...

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
Finland is small country and there are not so many people to buy records, possibility to get a record deal is tough job. We still keep trying. Positive is that people here are open-minded and always looking for a new bands, so we might have a chance to get through.

How could you define your style of music?
Space Bar's music is combination of melodic pop tunes and catchy choruses, played with intensive rock style and electro spices. Lyrics are sometimes gloomy but I thing there is still lots of hope, weird humor and maybe there is also a little insight too. Space Bar plays ATTITUDE POP.

During the years how has your musical style changed?
I don't thing it has change a lot. Maybe at a Dean-era we tried to sound heavier and play like a hard rock band, which were are not. Now we are back in lighter and wider scale but still big sound, forgetting the screaming female-vocalist and action rock tunes.

How do explain these changes?
There have been so many line-up changes and everyone brings something own with him/her – which is just fine. I don't have so specific vision how the band should sound. I write the music and lyrics but it is the band what makes the final cut.

What are topics you treat in your songs?
Incompleteness, acceptance, tolerance, pain and suffer, loneliness and depression, obsessions and anger, love and hate, faith and joy, fame and its consequences, just a few to mention. I just wrote about invisible man - and oh my man, it's a sad and relieving song.

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
Huh, difficult question. It might be my first ever written English lyric "Perfect", just because it's the first. Or one of the latest, called "Everworld". I really can't say because it varies and almost every song is important in its own special way.

Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
In studio I like the process when song develops and changes. But I prefer performing live. There I can feel the sound in my stomach, also to get through the stage fright is very educating experiment.

During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
There are also many moments that make songwriting TO-LIVE-FOR process. First is the moment you play the guitar and play something new and then it just happens. Then there is lot of work and playing, and playing is always nice.... Second great moment is when you have taught the song to the rest of the band and we have played the song fully through. Best part is absolutely when you hear your song first time in radio. I have had chance to experience it few times, I'd like to experience it many times in the future.

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song?
It's not a stupid question, answer may change. Now I think it is The Beatles song "Day in a life". There is just everything in one song, whole life in four minutes.

What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
For a band like Space Bar internet is very important way to get known. And because it is very difficult to get a record deal in Finland it is best way to distribute our music to anyone who wants to hear it. Just download, for free. Our website www.thespacebar.net contains Radio Silence- demo (10 songs).

What are your projects?
Major project is now to make new demo recordings with current line-up during spring 2006 and then we try to get a record deal and sell platinum. Ha ha.... Or if you mean band members other musical projects, there are lots of other "projects" or even jobs in music business. Jussi Saxlin, the singer and guitarist, also plays bass in Irina's band. Irina is now very famous in Finland, their new single is at third place in Finnish charts and they have a lot of gigs and that's why Space Bar have so little time to play right now. Our guest starring keyboard player Tapsa Louhimo also plays in a band called Garbo. Their latest record hit the stores about year ago and they are doing some gigs too. Our drummer Arto Ojala, bassist Kristian Porthan and myself have a band project called Hämärä (in English it is maybe "Dusk" or "Twilight") and we play old "Jumalainen Näytelmä"- songs. Singer in Hämärä is Johanna Rossi, my girlfriend. So there are many projects going on with members of Space Bar.

What "image" do you have of French music?
Right now nothing comes into my mind. I just remember that when my sister lived in France in 80's, she brought some records. Indochine was the name of the band, and I liked it. I remember that French people love The Cure, which is also one of my favorite bands.

Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
Like I said I do like Indochine, I don't know if they are still making music. I like Jacques Brel, he sings in French but I don't know is he from Belgium or France. I must Google that information...

Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2006