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MELODICROCK.COM 2003 ERKKA KORHONEN (Urban Tale) Urban Tale: A new band for our times. I guess that there was some, but we believed in the new songs right
from the beginning. And as we hit the studio, Theo (Anders Theander,
our producer) came up with the finishing touches that were really cool
too. It was actually easier to do the actual recordings this time, since
we know Theo better now and vice versa. We worked together more closely
on song tempos, feelings and such, and he really respects our opinions.
Also, now he also knew how we play in the studio so it was much easier.
Fabulous answer Erkka. Obviously you could tell
that you had great songs and a great production, but did the way the
debut album was welcomed surprise any of you guys? Oh yes, and not only us! The Roasting House guys were really happy
with the response too. Getting all those great reviews is really flattering,
but it has a downside too. The first negative review will really kill
you! I remember the first negative one...the entire band went totally
apeshit and angry LOL! You have to take the rough with the smooth anyway.
Our drummer always reminds us with the great words of our national composer
Jean Sibelius: "Remember, there are no statues for critics!"
It´s all down to somebody´s opinion and personal taste,
so it has to be accepted. Damn, I was looking forward to a statue too….oh
well…. Well, listening to our first album was a good learning experience.
We liked the first album, but didn't want to redo it like so many bands
do. On the other hand, the composing methods didn't really change that
much. It's certainly a more diverse record - there
are a few different musical passages within the album. What was the
thinking behind the changes? Pure gut feeling. We just wrote what we felt at the time. It seemed
really natural to expand the band's sound this time, and we just let
it happen. A lot has happened to us as a band and also in our personal
lives after writing the 1st album, and the songs reflect that really
well. I think that the album is a lot more interesting this way, with
more variety. A lot of people talk about bringing the melodic rock genre
forward, and this is how we do it. We know that it will create strong
opinions both pro and con, but as I mentioned earlier, it's a good thing.
Controversy is always noticed by people and we are keen on stirring
things up and ruffling some feathers! We just have to remember not to
make it the only goal... I said the production was similar, which is true,
but there are a few examples of the sound being updated or modernized
slightly. Again, what were the thoughts behind those production effects? I think that the new songs were the catalyst for the new sounds as
well. We are also influenced by all the styles you hear on the album.
A good example is "Monsters", which begun as an experiment
by Timo and then we decided to try it with the band and it seemed to
work. As it says on the album linear notes, there are no drum machines
used on this album, it's all played by somebody. Most of the time we'd
record a loop in half-speed and then double the speed to bring it to
the right tempo and the right sound. We used a lot of that stuff on
the intro of "Hello Light", on "Open Your Heart"
there's a Latin groove, on "Morning Smoke" and of course "Monsters".
"Mary" has a cool ethnic percussion thing that was a blast
to record! And in the end - are you all happy with the way
it has turned out? We are really happy with it. This time it's not as Hi-Fi as the 1st
album, it's a lot punchier, drier and has more healthy bottom end. This
was definitely the band's goal for this album, after listening for the
first one. The band was also a lot looser and relaxed when we played.
We don't "cut & paste" with the basic tracks, which is
really easy and tempting to do when you work in digital domain. All
of those takes are full. Tuomo and Kari even came up with a first take
for the album! It was on "Don't You Know". How did the album and website artwork for you?
Very cool....a step above some of the other art out there in stores! It really looks like everything went really well this time, including
the artwork that was done by 2 different guys, ending up costing a lot!
A Swedish artist called Niklas Sundin is responsible for the front cover
picture, which a wonderful piece of art, very Dali-influenced...I love
it! It's partly an oil painting, partly a photograph and partly computer
graphics. What's happening in your home country with this
release? I saw the Stage Dolls are doing great business and gather that
there is some hope for melodic bands right now in Scandinavia? Frontiers has a good distribution in Scandinavia now. The company is
called Playground Music. Their biggest own Finnish artist, The Rasmus
has sold 70,000 in Finland only (that's over double platinum, my friends!)
and 22-Pistepirkko sells well and has a big underground following around
Europe, so they know how to do the work. The promos of the album have
been sent around to the mainstream mags and radio, and the response
has been favourable. We have received some radio airplay, although not
on the playlists (yet), and the reviews have been good as I mentioned
before. Also, if we get anything major happening in our own country,
the HQ of Playground in Sweden will get interested and that's a good
thing. How does a band such as yourselves make waves
in the music marketplace as a whole? Well, the above example is good grassroot-level promotion. Our own
country has a pretty cool live music scene, and good live bands are
respected. Also, getting small risks can be good...releasing radio singles,
sending album samplers to film and TV production companies etc... The
band has to make itself known, even though might not be selling a lot
of albums. Make people remember your band's name and it will pay off. I realize you are with Frontiers, who do a great
job with this music as a whole, but I am wondering what view of the
world a relatively new band takes? One step at a time? And how are those
steps taken? Baby steps! Frontiers does a great job in providing their acts visibility
and publicity in the rock/metal media. After that it's up to the band,
their music and sheer luck to gain the interest in the mainstream as
well. We are truly happy to be interviewed by such magazines as Classic
Rock in England, which could be considered a major Rock magazine. Good
contacts have a lot to do with it but even they won't help if the music
is not up to the par. Hopefully our touring plans will become a reality,
because it would bring a great bunch of extra publicity to the band. Any other tour plans coming up? Major cities in Finland are planned, there are plans for shows in Europe
which should reveal in a few weeks, a festival or two and the abovementioned
plans for a Scandinavian tour. If all of this becomes a reality we will
be busy and bankrupt for sure...and happy too! We will post it on our
website and spread the news as soon as we can! How does the material change when played live? A few of the layered guitar and keyboard stuff gets dropped off, as
do the drum loops. There's usually more energy and a heavier overall
sound. Even some tempos might change. We are not too keen on using samplers
or pre-recorded mini-discs/DAT tapes with synths, backing vocals or
strings to create a bigger live sound...it's not live anymore that way.
It also brings in click tracks and other monitor-related things. If
something goes wrong in those situations you will make a fool out of
yourself. I do understand that several bands do it nowadays and I won't
say that we'd never use them either. Erkka, the band's sound is clearly your own,
but with big influences from the likes of Styx and Journey. What are
thefavourite classic artists within the band? I would say Journey, Toto, Chicago, Rush, Van Halen, Don Henley, 80´s
Genesis and of course metal bands such as Dio, Iron Maiden, Queensrÿche
etc...Believe it or not but none of us has listened to Styx! That's funny! There are a lot of other influences as well...classical, jazz, pop,
electronic music... they really are equally important to us and the
sound of the band as the rock bands. We don´t have any prejudices
against different kinds of music...except schlager, maybe! What about new acts - what other bands/artists
are you guys getting into and/or respect these days? Tough one! I don't think that many of us really follows what's out
there that much...Kimmo usually checks out the new stuff by Marillion
and David Sylvian, Tuomo likes the funkier stuff and modern rock/pop
styles such as "Kent" from Sweden. Timo is into the experimental
electronic stuff...Massive Attack, Björk. Kari likes Nickelback
and Planet X. I just checked out the new Stratovarius album and I feel
that it's their best ever. I also try to check out some cool things,
like the new Steve Morse DVD that I´m gonna buy. Sometimes I contact
Frontiers and order some CDs, like Jeff Scott Soto or Mecca. If you were allowed to be responsible for writing
and recording any 1 album from history - what would that be? This is my personal opinion, not the bands... When you think in general
about the songs, the sound at the time when it was released, the performance
and the success of the album I have to say: "Slippery When Wet"
by Bon Jovi. And what are you listening to in your CD player
right now? Elements pt.1. by Stratovarius. Also some Steve Morse Band stuff for
a future project... Let's talk about the songs from the album. Would
you mind telling everyone a little about each track? No problem! So - what's next for the band? What are your
grand plans to take over the world and what is next? We have to see how the album does and we hope to get on the road. Let's
spread the Urban Tale word and rehearse for the coming endeavors. We'll
probably start to write some new songs soon... What is important for the band to achieve in
the next 5 years? To achieve a steady position in the music world, be it inside the "genre"
or in the mainstream but we want to prove that we are here to stay.
We also want to come out with a few good albums and define our personal
trademark sound that people would recognize. Anything you would like to add? Check out "Signs Of Times". I promise it will truly be "something
else" and a unique listening experience! We also hope to see you
all on the road really soon! Also, check out the new website and fan
forum at http://www.urbantale.net Thanks again for taking the time out to answer
these questions! Thanks! |
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