Present yourself to the readers
I live in central Helsinki, the capital of Finland. The rest of the band also live nearby so Helsinki is our home base. I grew up with good jazz and blues playing in the house, thanks to my parents musical tastes. Picked up the guitar at 14 but really was just fooling around with it then. Started taking the instrument seriously much later. Have been singing that stuff as long as I can remember.
Who composes ?...How does it work with the band ?
Composing mostly made by Long John Rantapuro and myself. Lyrics most often by me. Arrangements with the band. We usually try various styles, versions and rhythms and then we pick the one that feels the best. Sometimes turns out to be totally different than the original idea.
Your texts ?..What are they talking about ?..How does inspiration come ?
Topics of the lyrics come mostly of everyday life, bad news about environment, cruelty, unemployment and such. Of course love and it´s troubles are all time favourites
Are you day or night ?
It depends
What are your personal musical tastes and your influences ?
My musical taste is mostly old stuff from 20s to 60s, blues, jazz, rhythm & blues, doo-wop, rock & roll, you name it. Influences: Memphis Minnie, Big Mama Thornton, jazz singers like Helen Humes and Billie Holiday, T-Bone Walker etc. The list goes on and on.
What's your opinion about the current music scene in Finland ?
Music scene in Finland varies. Hard rock and heavy metal bands are doing allright, even abroad. Roots music is not doing so well. There are few venues and the money is poor like everywhere in Europe I believe,. Our band is doing alright, the audience likes our music a lot and we have had great success every joint we´ve played.
What's your best live memory ? And why ?
My best live memory is four standing ovations in row. It´s amazing feeling when an audience is sizzling and dancing to your music.
