The Grumps

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THE FINNISH POP CULTURE PORTAL

Music
Interview : Anna from The Grumps

When and how was your band created?
Our band was born in 1995. We were friends and started playing together in school. We just decided to try out playing rock music and noticed it felt good! We had musical backrounds allready and were inspired by the bands of our friends.

Where is the name of the band coming from?
One day we were looking at the english dictionary with Minttu and found the word 'grump'. We thought it was a funny word and represented us in a weird way. That was it.

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
Everything can be an influence. However it is hard to pinpoint what actually does influence. Also, we all have varying individual influences. I can say though what I have been inspired by. By bands such as Nirvana years ago, Radiohead, Portishead and Muse for example. In life, friends, good films, art, and love have a great influence and inspiration on music and life!

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
For example: Positive: the scene is small so many of the same people circle around the music business so you may have more contacts easily. Negative: the scene is small so taking risks is rarer and everything tends to revolve around mainstream trends.

How could you qualify your style of music?
Emotional. Rock. Pop. Melodic.

During the years how has your musical style evolved?
From grungy-pop into something else alltogether. Categorising music can often be hard or pointless. Songs vary. Come and see a gig and find out for yourself!

How do explain these changes?
Well, influence from mainly Nirvana into influence from all sorts of sources I suppose.

What are stories/topics you tell/treat in your songs?
Stories are a mix of imaginative and real life situations. Love has become the most common topic. Other topics are such as male dominance and little forrest creatures…
Have you ever considered the possibilty to change totally your style of
music? If so, what style of music would you choose?
No. What we play comes naturally. Although…Heavy metal rules!

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
It would be unfair towards our other children to name one favourite. They are all good in their own ways, all unique and special to us. Honestly!

Do you tour regularly? Do you prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
We tour as much as we can. We would tour all the time if it paid more money and we could forget about our 'real life' jobs. Both, being in the studio and playing for an audience is almost equally fun and keeps a balance. Ofcourse being infront of a loving, live audience gives the best feeling!

During the process of making an album, what is the moment that you prefer?
Hmm…the end of the first day. When some progress has been made and still there are many possibilities.

What kind of music / What artists do you currently listen?
All sorts of artists. Last song I downloaded (3 days ago) was by Mew, last song I listened to (yesterday) was by Stevie Wonder. Last album I bought was Beck.

A stupid question but... what is, among all the songs you've been listening in
your life, the BEST song? Why?
That is too hard to answer. There are too many and they change through time. Sorry. Radiohead has stolen my heart though…

What is your opnion, as a musician, regarding internet?
Well, Internet has made it possible to get to hear and know bands you may not know otherwise. Downloading for free is in a way stealing but is a demonstration of freedom too. I download songs and buy albums and hope everyone would do both.

What are your actual and future projects?
To tour around the world, to make mindblowing music and many many records.

Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2004