What inspired you to first start making music? And how did you come to be in your current incarnation? Or if you prefer, a brief bio about you.

Making music wasn’t really a choice for me, rather it came naturally. I started writing little songlets at 3 years old, the moment I had a keyboard in front of me and vaguely knew what to do with it. I got my first record deal at 13 years old in my home country Finland, and I’ve been making records ever since. My inclinations were obvious from the get-go, and my interests were always in the arts: music and dance mainly. I still feel very much like that kid who was so fascinated with the keyboard. I’ve gone through different incarnations in my career but I’ve always stayed true to what drives me, what interests me, and what influences me. The one singing alternative-rock songs and playing my Gibson SG—it feels like the fully realized version of me, as does this new record.

Provide us with some info about your latest release…

I recently released the first single ‘Real Deal’, off of my new album “Mad Equation,” which will be out in May on ECR Music Group. The single’s been incredibly well-received, and it’s been so gratifying that people have been responding so enthusiastically to its joyfully rebellious message during what feels like a dark time in the world. “Real Deal” was inspired by two of my favorite films, The 400 Blows and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, because as an artist, I identified with the main characters’ nonconformist ways, and their choice to live life off the grid. People have expressed that the song’s provided them with some courage and vigor in this fraught time—music can be potent that way, and it feels particularly powerful to be sharing this new music right now, at this moment in history. I feel like music and art (and artists themselves, in fact) are more needed now than ever—to keep us rooted in reality, to remind us of beauty, and to hold the line politically.

Which ones would you consider your main influences both music-wise & non-music-wise?

I grew up listening to a lot of soul music, R&B, and Hip Hop, which influenced me tremendously. Stevie Wonder, The Pharcyde, and Meshell Ndegeocello played endlessly on my turntable, along with so many others. Later on I ventured far and wide with my musical explorations, and still do—the music of PJ Harvey, Tom Waits, and Radiohead all mean so much to me. But add Milton Nascimento, Chet Baker, and Django Reinhardt to the mix as well. I have way too many musical influences to name, to be honest. That’s why it’s hard to put me in a neat little box as an artist too. Outside of music I’m very much a cinephile. There are so many similarities between cinema and record making. In either field, you don’t want to get caught trying. I love to listen to great actors discussing how they prepare, and how they work, and just today I saw a video of Alan Rickman talking about how important it is to be able to ‘listen’ as an actor. To listen and respond to the person you’re interacting with. It’s not about the lines you’re saying, it’s about being present in the moment. Sounds very much like being a musician to me.

In what way does your sound differ from the rest genre-related artists/bands and why should we listen to your music? In other words, how would you describe your sound?

I think that because of my vast and varied influences my music doesn’t really sound like anyone else. Sometimes I find it hard to answer the question about what I sound like, because I’m such an amalgam of Alternative, Rock, R&B, Pop, and more. But in the end–-as some smartypants said––there’s only two kinds of music: good music and bad music. Why should you listen to my music? I’d hope because it’s good.

Please name your 3 desert islands albums, movies & books…

This is just one iteration of what these lists could look like for me.

Albums:
Radiohead: Hail To the Thief
Elliott Smith: Figure 8
Meshell Ndegeocello: Comfort Woman

Movies:
All The President’s Men
39 Steps
City Lights

Books:
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
The Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
The Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula K. LeGuin

Do you prefer studio or performing live and why?

Apples and oranges, man. I like and love them both. There’s a balance to the process too. Once I’m done with the focused, creative, and painstaking phase of recording music in the studio, it feels like the only right thing to do is to put it on a stage and play the music in front of people. I don’t know that I’d be satisfied only doing one or the other. Something would be missing. As an artist I am both an introvert and an extrovert, so studio recording and live performance allow me to air out both facets of myself.

Is there any funny-unique story you would like to share with us, always in relation to your music ‘career’?

Once on tour with Blake Morgan in Eugene, Oregon, we were mistaken as FBI-agents. There had been a shooting somewhere near the place we were performing at, and as we got out of our rental car in front of the venue dressed in our suits and ties, a commotion began, with the people standing around starting to murmur and also to call out, referring to us, “The Feds are here, the Feds are here!” I took it as a compliment.

Which track of your own would you point out as the most unique and why?

As unlikely and cheesy as it may sound, I’m actually excited about each and every track on this new album, ‘Mad Equation.’ All killer, no filler, dude. With my producer Blake Morgan, and my drummer Miles East, we really worked to bring each of the songs to life in a unique way, and they’re all fully realized. Right now I’m most excited about the release of my next single, ‘I Want You, I Warn You’, which is coming out January 23rd. People have responded so eagerly to my current single that I can’t wait to introduce them to the next one. The drum pattern on it is electrifying–-think The Prodigy and The Smile—and there’s also a melodic element in the song that’s reminiscent of Bronski Beat. The range of my influences come out on each song in different ways.

Would you like to share with our readers your future plans?

Like I said, my next single, “I Want You I Warn You” is out January 23rd and my album “Mad Equation” comes out on May 16th. In the meantime, I’ll be doing a 3-concert series in NYC at The Bitter End in January, March, and May to celebrate the release(s). And I’ll also be traveling to my home country Finland for a record release concert in May. This is just the beginning! I look forward to an exciting year ahead sharing this new music with people.

Free question!!! (Ask yourself a question) you wish to answer and haven’t been given the opportunity…

Janita, what is the world’s smallest insect?

Why, that’s the wingless fairy wasp, which is about the width of a human hair. No eyes, no wings, and a mouth that’s just a few holes. The world is a fascinating place, isn’t it?

Photo Credits: Taylor Ballantyne

Curated by: Christos Doukakis

 

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