Korpiklaani Interview

Interview by Margherita (MEG)
Answered by Tuomas Rounakari

Photo credits Peero Lakanen

LFdM: Hi guys, I'm really pleased to welcome you to Les Fleurs Du Mal Webzine.

Let's start with a short introduction of each one of you, if you don't mind replying to a few funny questions, just to break the ice: Who is the tallest? Who is the heaviest drinker? Who tells the funniest jokes on tour? Who is the best prankster? Who is the most technically skilled? Who is the most talented? Who is already sick of answering these questions?

Either Tuomas or Kalle, hard to say because they can't stand straight in a tour-bus. 2) can't remember right now for some reason 3) we have a horrible sense of humour, the question should be about worse jokes, and that title goes to Jarkko. 4) no comments 5) 6)and 7) too stick of this to go on. 

LFdM. Jokes apart, Korpiklaani is such an evocative name. How much does it describe your band and its sound? Why this choice after your original name Shaman?

Well none of us is really an urban kid, we all come from more or less isolated parts of the country. Korpi, uninhabited forest, has a deep meaning to all of us and Finnish myths and folklore is a huge part of our music. Shaman name was already used by some brazilian band and the old record label suggested to use a Finnish name instead, which then Jonne came up with.

LFdM: How would you describe your upcoming album, Kulkija? It sounds amazing, by the way, I had the chance to give it a pre listening and I have to say I like it a lot. Can we consider it as a sort of concept album?

Well a sort of, but not really. Wanderer kind of ties everything together. The album presents many different moods and aspects of life, a world as a wanderer might experience it. And of course this is something that the whole band can relate to as we spend most of the time on the road. 

LFdM: Personally I love the topic of the Wanderer, I find it such a fascinating and charismatic figure, in literature, for example... I think to gothic novels, to folklore and legends. Cain, according to some tales inspired by the Bible, is the first wanderer, after killing his brother he was condemned to wander on the moon for the eternity; the ancient mariner by Coleridge is another example of accursed wanderer...what kind of wanderer can we find in Kulkija?

For me this wanderer is a combination of a tramp and a survivalist. A person who travels on his own terms and from his own will. Enjoys the movement more than the destination. 

LFdM: Why didn't you chose to write this album in English? Don't you think it could attract more people, that it could be more catchy for the international audience?

We think in the opposite way. Your native tongue is your natural way of expression and thus the emotions are authentically expressed. Bands often lose their authenticity while trying to please crowd and people can feel it. 

LFdM: Which are the main differences or similarities between this new album and your previous works?

We had a new producer, Janne Saksa and with him this album has a more natural feel to it. There are lots of first takes for example and the general feel is very uplifting. It really is a feel good album all the way, although some songs are dark and melancholic. 

LFdM: Is there a song, or more than one, of the new album you feel for some reasons closer to? If so, would you like to tell us why? Personally I love Harmaja and I have to say that, even if I know really very few words in Finnish I've been able to get the mood and the main theme, before I could read about the content in the translation. This might mean that language is not so important to convey the message, in the end?

Exactly. Rich and authentic expression translates better than words. And even if your finnish would be fluent, you could interpret Harmaja in many different ways. That's the magic of music. Personally I enjoy Aallon alla a lot. Riemu makes me laugh always with the unexpected contrast between the verse and chorus. Harmaja came out really well too. Kotikonnut and Henkselipoika are a lot of fun to play just as is the 9min long Kallon Malja which is maybe the most progressive metal song we have ever released. 

LFdM: I watched the Harmaja's video too and l like it a lot. It's very simple, no special effects but I really love its atmosphere. Can you tell us something about it? Where was it shot?

The water was really cold and the filming was quite an achievement from Jonne. I guess his lips are naturally blue on this one. It was shot in a sea-safety center where they practice rescue techniques. 

LFdM: Which songs of the new album do you think would work better live? What is your ideal setlist?

We would love to play the whole album live, but as it is a long one with 14 songs we probably can't do it. But there really is no ideal setlist. We tend to emphasize the latest album always, simply because it makes things fresh for us just as well. But a medley from the past is equally important. So far we have played Henkselipoika, Kotikonnut, Aallon alla, Harmaja and the instrumental Pellervoinen live. That is quite unusual amount of new songs before the actual album release. 

LFdM: How does the songwriting process work in your band? Do you compose the music or do you write the lyrics first?

Tuomas Keskimäki has been our main lyricist since Manala Album. Jonne and Tuomas work closely together and quite intuitively. Sometimes music comes first, sometimes the text. Everything is pretty random in our ways of working. 

LFdM: Does each one of you record each single instrumental part one by one or do you record your parts all together at the same time in the studio?

A studio album is nowadays always recorded separately. But we do some arranging together first, tossing around demos.

LFdM: Where do you find inspiration for the lyrics of your songs? Being Finnish, for the kind of  genre you play is an advantage?

Finland has the largest collection of folk poetry in the whole world and in Finland all folk poetry was originally sung. So it is a musical tradition, not a literal. The special rune-signing meter is very unique and we have made new lyrics using that same meter. 

LFdM: What are your main sources of inspiration, musically speaking? Who were your music heroes when you were kids?

All of us listen to a different variety of music. Motörhead and Black Sabbath has been important to most of us, Matson is a big Kiss fan who recently lived his dream signing Rock and Roll All nite together with Gene Simmons at Masters of Rock, and then there are a lot of lesser known folk bands from Finland and Sweden, like Gjallarhorn, Headningarna, Mari Boine, Kiharakolmio by Antti Paalanen and many more. 

LFdM: Is there a band or a musician you would love to work with, both live or in the studio?

The corpse of Lemmy might be interesting to have on a studio... We will actually release different versions of Beer Beer in different languages with guest vocalists. That list of guests gives a nice answer. 

LFdM: Is there a band you've been often compared to, but you'd prefer not to?

Alestorm. Nothing really wrong with Alestorm especially as they have officially admitted stealing their ideas from us. 

LFdM: How do you spend your spare time when you are not recording or touring?

Most of us prefer to go out to the nature, unplug from all. Jarkko and Matson prefer to stay close to their extensive vinyl collections. 

LFdM: Are you planning an extensive world tour?

Yes!.We are doing a Russian and a North-American tour this year and a longer European tour on Feb. South-America, Japan, China and Australia are on the menu too, but when is a question of timing.

LFdM: Do you think you'll manage to get a date in Italy?

Date to play or a date with an italian? First one is a yes and the latter sounds like trouble.  European tour will be announced in August. Stayed to tuned.

LFdM. What is your opinion about social networks? Do you find them useful for your career?

It's complicated, but sure they can be and have been useful. We are a bit lazy in social media though, but we do our best. But it is a handy way to share info directly to your fans.

LFdM: What do you think of talent shows?

It is what it is. The entertainment industry seems to be splitting with Big Media vs indie world. I suppose we don't have much to offer for any talent shows. Sami knows how to peel a boilled egg by blowing into it. Maybe that could be something. 

LFdM: What kind of advice would you give to young musicians trying to reach a record deal?

You got to love what you do and simply focus on the Joy of doing what you love. That is the only reward that is up to you and granted. If you are in this for game and money, there are many much more intelligent and easier ways of achieving it than music. So if you're not in it for the love of music itself, better go home and think again.