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July 24, 2008 |
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Timo Kotipelto
July 27, 2004
By Tony Antunovich
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Having spent many years as frontman of one of Finland's most popular metal bands (STRATOVARIUS), Timo Kotipelto has become one of the most accomplished vocalists in the modern age and is achieving continued success with his own band, KOTIPELTO. Just recently, this past May, he released his second recording, "Coldness", in which he wrote all of the material himself. I had the opportunity to speak with Timo, directly from Helsinki, Finland, about his new album, his upcoming appearance at this year's ProgPower USA festival in September, how he keeps his voice in top shape, his musical beginning and his plans for the future.
First of all, I want to congratulate you on your new album, Timo. It's an excellent album – very well-produced. The musicianship is just awesome and I think it's great.
Thanks man!
How long did it take you to produce the album?
Well, it depends how you count it because.... well first of all, I started composing the songs about, well more than a year ago almost.... one and a half years ago, and then, of course, we started to rehearse. Well actually, we only rehearsed a couple of nights for this album because these guys who are playing on my album, they have their own bands and they are very busy, especially Janne Wirman, the keyboard player. So, we didn't have, you know, so many days to rehearse. But I would say, the recording process.... if you count that only for producing, then of course that was only, I'd say, 3-4 months together to finish everything.
That's actually one of the questions I wanted to ask you. You've got some incredible fellow Finnish musicians joining you for the recording of the album. Janne Wirman of course, from CHILDREN OF BODOM and WARMEN, bassist Jari Kainulainen, Mike Romeo of course, from SYMPHONY X, Juhani (pronounced carefully) Malmberg, Antti Wirman and Mirka Rantanen.
Yep, exactly.
Sorry, I don't speak Suomi.
It's very good pronunciation. I'm surprised!
I appreciate that. Well, I'm of Croatian descent so I'm pretty good with pronouncing most languages.
Ah, good, okay. That's why.
Were any of them involved in the writing process? I know that you wrote the entire album yourself, but did they contribute at all?
Not really. The only thing what we did together was that we did arrange some of the songs, like during these couple of days, but that's it. Unfortunately, they didn’t do anything else 'cause, they're very talented, so hopefully for the next album, when I've got the songs together, I might even take some songs from some other players.... I don't mind. But for this one, somebody had to do the songs (laughs), so that's why I did them, so. Maybe for the next one we have, well hopefully, we will have more time to arrange everything and to have some new ideas from the other guys as well. It's not, you know, something that all the songs have to be from me, but I mean.... this was the situation for these two albums that, you know.... somebody had to do the songs, and I had some ideas, so I did them, you know.
Well, you did a tremendous job, like I said earlier.
Thanks.
It's a very good album. I liked "Waiting For The Dawn" as well, but a lot of the songs on this album sound a little bit more dark in comparison to much of the material on "Waiting For The Dawn".
I agree, I agree!
Not that that's a bad thing. They just sound much more in depth – more of a different feeling to them in comparison to the songs on "Waiting For The Dawn".
A lot of people say the same, you know, cause of course, there are a lot of things that did affect the songs, but it's also.... probably the sound, overall sound is a little bit heavier, but then again, it's like.... the vocals/melodies - they are more sad. The songs - there are more a sad feeling on them, you know. But of course, it's also.... well actually I'd composed the songs when I was still in the band, so it didn’t affect that much, but of course the lyrics were heavily influenced by, you know, how I felt during those times when I wrote them. But somehow, you know, I agree completely with you that it's not so happy metal album, like.... well I don’t know if the first one was a "happy metal" album (laughs). This one is more "sad metal" now (laughs).
No, I wouldn't really describe it as that, but just the songs, they just sound more dark than the previous album.
Yeah! That's true.
What would you say the major difference is between "Coldness" and "Waiting For The Dawn"?
The lyrics for sure, I mean, the first one was a concept album. Well, you said it yourself. The songs are much more darker on this one, but also, to me, I don’t know if you or anybody else can feel it, but at least I feel like this album is more like a band album compared to the first one. It's such a feeling. It's there, even though, of course, it would have been even more like a band album if we would have been rehearsing more for this album, but.... I think I can feel it's like a band compared to "Waiting For The Dawn" 'cause then I had so many players and you know, so many different recordings for months and everything. It was kind of a mess, you know.... to put it together, but this one was easier when it comes to that, you know, so.
It was much easier than the last one?
Well, recording-wise, but of course, not lyric-wise, you know.
What is the concept behind "Coldness"? I have read a lot of interviews about that, but can you sum it up into just a few sentences what the major concept behind "Coldness" is?
Well, I don’t think there is any, you know.... "one" big concept behind it. It's just, you know.... well, I wouldn't say that it's funny to realize it now, because it's not so funny (laughs), but that somehow, when I composed the songs, I was still in the band and you know, everything was going quite okay with my ex-girlfriend etc. Even then, you know, when I composed the songs, the songs just came out, you know.... more sad and dark, and then of course, when I wrote the lyrics, everything was totally different to the first one. But it's just.... I just wanted to write about my feelings, and how I felt last autumn when the winter was coming on in Finland, and when you see less light and you are more depressed. I just wrote about my personal feelings, but there is not any one concept behind it.
When I listen to this album, it sounds a lot more traditional heavy metal sounding than "Waiting For The Dawn". Would you agree with that?
Well, that's hard to say. I don't know what my opinion is on that one because I think basically, on both albums, I just wanted to combine my roots from the 80's with my voice from the power metal scene. But I would say that probably on "Coldness", my style.... it's more ME, you know. Probably the first album was like, just a test for me, if I can compose a full album and if I can release it myself; things like this. But "Coldness" was, in a way, easier when it comes to this process. It's 'cause I did it once and then, of course, now I knew already what I had to do to make the whole album, 'cause there's a lot of work, especially if you are doing everything yourself.
It's not only composing and writing the lyrics, but you have to book the studios and, especially because I have my own record label for Finland, and of course you have to, you know, tell all the mageers (engineers) and ask all the mageers (engineers) if they are available, you know, during this week, and if they are in Finland. So it's much more work, so maybe.... I don’t know if that all affected the style or not. That's hard to say. Could be, but then again, probably you're right. But I'm just so close my music that it's hard for me to see if there's any difference like this.
You mentioned that you have your own record label. Is that strictly for your own recordings, or do you sign other bands?
Well, so far, I've only released my albums on it, but actually.... I'm thinking about releasing something else and I'm planning to start with the band of one of my friends 'cause I'm trying to help them out.... but let's see if that will happen. So, it's quite possible that, you know, if there's some good bands that I will release some of the other albums. It would be interesting, you know, to have some catalogue or bands instead of having only KOTIPELTO albums released (laughs), you know.... but let's see. Hopefully!
I hope so too. It sounds like an exciting venture for you.
It is interesting 'cause, I mean, being a musician, when you are not on the road and if you don't feel like composing or if you have done all the composing and if you don’t have anything else, you know, to do - related to music, I mean.... that you don't have to perform or you don't have to do anything like this, so. Then, of course, I have sometimes some free time, and it's also interesting, and especially if I can, you know, help somebody top get their albums released so.... but, of course, it's a big risk, especially during this time - Internet downloading etc. So, it's a big, big risk to start releasing anything, but my goal is not to make money with this, especially this album from my friends.... but if I can help them, that would be great! But let's see.
With respect to the cover of "Coldness", I know that it represents the place of your birth. Can you tell me a little bit more about that?
Yeah, well, it's like this.... I was born in a countryside, about 400 kilometers north from Helsinki, and up there the winter is a bit more hard than here in Helsinki because during some of the winters, you might not even have a real snow, but last winter we had probably 50 centimeters of snow in Helsinki even, which was actually nice (laughs), in a way. But I mean, with the cover, I just wanted to represent.... I wanted to show the people, especially the people who live, you know, who live in the south Latin countries, or people who've never seen the snow, that how it can be if you live up in Finland during the wintertime, and also because then they might realize why, especially some of my vocals, melodies or lyrics. They can be, you know, melancholic.
So, it's quite obvious if you live in a band in that country, of course (laughs), you might sing some of the songs, but if you live in Finland, I mean, what can you do? Only metal, you know (laughs). But of course, it all fit together. The title "Coldness" and the cover artwork and, of course, the lyrics and the music, so.... and especially, I'm very satisfied to Mattias Norén who did this cover for me, so.
I was actually just going to ask you about that.
Yeah. I just had the idea, you know. I sent him some photos taken by my father - of that lake, you know, my old hometown.... but I didn’t have any proper winter photos. But I told Mattias that I'd like to have this kind of a.... like I explained, you know - winter, lake, ice and leaving something behind and then night time.... and it was quite easy to work with this guy because he's living in Sweden. So I mean, those guys, they have the same winter like we, you know, so. When I told him about this idea, then he said "Great! I know exactly what you want." Then when he showed me the first sketches, I was already like "Oh fuck! This is exactly what I want to have". Then we just did small details, you know, and that was it.
He did an amazing job!
He's very talented.
He is! When I look at the album cover, it's just.... it's so unique. I've never really seen an album cover like it before and it represents everything you've just described to me.
Yeah. Of course, there was only one party that didn’t like the cover so much, and that's the record label, because they told me that this is not the heavy metal cover. Then I said to them "Well, this is the cover I want to have. Take it or leave it.".... and, of course, then they took it. But they didn’t like it 'cause probably.... I don't know, maybe they are just thinking it doesn’t sell so much because it's too dark.... but then I said, "But, this is describing the album. This is describing the songs and this is what I want to have".... and well, I mean at the end they accepted it.... but not in the beginning, at least not the German label. I don't know about the U.S. label (laughs).
I would think that the music on the album would sell the album itself because the music is just amazing, in my opinion.
Thanks. Well, I don't know, I mean.... to be honest, I think "Coldness" did very good in Finland, but I don't know.... probably it hasn’t done so good in, you know, any other countries.
I am sure it did very well in Finland. I am not too aware of how well it has done in North America.
Ah, probably no so good. But then again, I'm just satisfied if it would sell enough that the record label would get some money. But then, you know, I would have the opportunity to do the next album, so. But let's see.
Has the album met your expectations or exceeded your expectations, Timo?
Well, how do I say this.... I'm normally never satisfied to anything what I've done, you know.... and of course, right now I'm not completely satisfied to "Coldness" but I always also think that all the albums, when they were recorded.... when they were, you know, mixed.... when the songs were composed. I mean, for "Coldness", I couldn't do it any better because of everything, you know - stress and everything I had. But of course, it could be have been done much more better. You know.... better produced, and then probably the songs could have been better etc. But then again, it always leaves the door open that maybe the next album will better than this one, you know, so. But I'm satisfied, to be honest.
Would you consider yourself a perfectionist then?
Yes, unfortunately yes. It's not nice to be like this 'cause I know I never will do anything that I'm completely satisfied to. But then again, I also think that, you know, if you’re satisfied, completely satisfied to something that you've done.... I mean, you don't have any more goals, where to go then, you know. If you're 100 percent satisfied to, let's say to.... well, if I would be 100 percent satisfied with this album then.... what to do next hmm.... but, I'm not so (laughs). The next time it will be a little bit better, you know.
Speaking of North America, you'll be making an appearance at this year's ProgPower USA in Atlanta, Georgia on September 17th and 18th to meet your fans.
Yeah, that's true.
I also understand that it will be your first visit to the U.S.?
Yeah, that's true. I'm kind of interested. I've never been there and.... we had some chances to tour with STRATOVARIUS in the past, but for some reasons it didn't happen so. Well, of course, it's a pity, but I won't be performing. I won’t have any band supporting me. But then again, it's just something maybe, you know.... maybe with this appearance I can do some shows next year or year after or something. It would be cool. And also, of course, I'm looking forward to meeting some of these people that I've been doing interviews with. I've never met those people and also maybe I can, you know, meet Mike in New Jersey or even Jens Johansson in New York, you know. So.... it's going to be like.... probably half tourist trip and half music trip, let's put it this way (laughs).
Jens lives in New York does he not?
Yeah. He's been living there I think, the last 12 years or something.... or 15. Something like this.
He is also an amazing keyboardist.
Yeah. He's one of the best for sure!
I would love to make it to ProgPower USA myself.
Yeah, that'd be great.
I live in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, so I don't know.
Oh, really?
Yes.
That's a long distance, huh?
It is, but I would definitely love to make it to ProgPower USA.
Yeah. That would be great! So you are not sure if you are coming or not?
I'm not sure. It depends on time, but I'm going to try to for sure!
Okay, cool!
I know that the tickets are all sold out, but....
Well, I mean, you are a journalist. I guess you can find a way huh?
It might be possible (laughs).
Yeah!
I know that many fans here in Canada would love to see you perform here, including myself.
That'd be great. I don't have any plans right now. Of course, I'm open for any suggestions, but so far, my booking agency - they only arranged me three shows in South America and they are planning that there might be some more, like a short European tour at the end of this year and also more touring in Finland. So I guess there's going to be some more gigs - hopefully a lot of gigs, but they didn’t talk to me about any plans to tour in North America. But it would be also, personally for me fun to come to Canada because I happen to have some relatives, not very close, but I mean.... there are some Kotipeltos living in Canada and that would be great. I've never met the people, but I mean, I think they are like my father's cousins or something.
Wow! I didn’t know that.
Well, not so many people know (laughs), but I mean, it would be great - maybe just go over and knock on their door and "Hey! How are you doing? Do you speak Finnish?" (laughs) Probably they wouldn't, but....
Do you refer to the language as Finnish or Suomi?
Well, in English it's Finnish, of course. Well, Suomi is a country.
Oh, okay.
Well, it's also the language, to be honest, but it depends on the context.
I have a few questions about the studio vs. performing. Do you prefer being in the studio or performing on stage?
On the stage for sure! I don’t like being in the studio at all. It's boring and it's very stressful. Just being in the studio - sometimes it can even, not so often, but sometimes it feels like you are actually working and I hate that feeling because I always want to sing and enjoy singing instead of, you know.... thinking that I have to sing because it's my job. 'Cause I mean.... music is my life. It's not my job. Of course, I've been lucky that I've been living the last 5, 4 years from music, but I mean, it's just.... when I go on the stage, it doesn’t matter. I've been doing these cover gigs. Tomorrow I'm going to do one cover gig and I don't do those because of the money 'cause the fee is like, well.... sometimes I don't get any. Sometimes I'm lucky to get some beers (laughs). But I just do it because I love singing, and singing live for the people, for the fans – those are the best moments in my life, you know.
It's like.... if you do a good show and you are satisfied to the band and you are satisfied to yourself at least, not 100 percent of course (laughs), but you know - sort of satisfied and you think that you delivered a good show for the people and you see the fans smiling. I mean, you can live with that energy.... the next few days, you know. It's like an amazing feeling. Singing live is sometimes better than having a good sex, you know (laughs).... and I like having good sex (laughs). It's a little bit different, you know. It's just hard to describe. I don't know if you are a musician as well, but especially, you know, it's singing live - that's the best thing. It doesn't matter. I mean if there's 5 persons or if there's 5000 persons it's the same thing. But of course, the atmosphere is a little bit different, of course. The more people you have, the more energy is in the air.
But then again, when I'm singing live, a live show, it's like.... it consumes a hell of a lot of life energy, if you know what I mean. It's like.... I feel like I've been giving a lot from me to the people and of course, I hope that some of the people might remember this as a good thing, 'cause very often after the show, it's like one or two hours - I'm completely naked. There's no energy left. But it is like this 'cause I always think that if this is going to be the last show of my life. If I'm going to die tomorrow or during the next night, at least I can say at least I tried to give a good show instead of, you know.... I think I've done, in my life, probably I've done..... well I don't know.... maybe more than 500 shows or something and I remember twice, or maybe....
well, with STRATOVARIUS I think it happened maybe twice on one of the tours that I wasn't nervous at all when I went on the stage and I had the feeling that "I have to do this show!" So I didn't enjoy the show and that really pissed me off later. But of course, sometimes, some of the shows are bad and some are good, and some are even better, you know. Without any bad shows you can’t have any good shows, you know. But I mean, singing live – it's a different thing compared to singing with some backing tracks from CD.... sing back or whatever. You know it's like.... especially singing live and singing metal.... very high voices. It's not one of the easiest jobs. It's difficult, but it's also challenging. Sometimes I do better, sometimes I don't. I'm just a human, you know. But it's interesting.
I'm really glad to hear that singing means all that to you. It's great to hear.
It still does and I think it's funny 'cause the older I get, the more I appreciate this possibility to be able to sing for the people and this possibility to make music and to make records, you know. A lot of people, you know, they want to play music; they want to play live. A lot of people they want to sing live, but they don't have the chance. So I think I'm very lucky that there's been some people who want to hear me singing, and of course, if there's some people who want to hear me sing, of course I want to give my best for the people, so.
I read on your website that you used to play drums when you were a teenager. I believe age 13 to 16?
(Laughs) Yeah, something like that.
What interested you about the drums?
Well, I have a picture that was taken by.... I guess by my father when I was.... I would say maybe 6 months old, or maybe one year. But then, even, back then when I was very, very young. Maybe I was one year or one and a half years old. I remember on this picture I was sitting on the kitchen floor and banging on the kettles, you know (laughs). I don't know. The music was already in my blood - probably because of my mother who has been singing in the choirs, and she has a very good voice. I don't know. I think, if I remember it, they first wanted me to take some piano lessons, but that was boring. I didn't like the teacher at all. Then, I think I tried guitar, but it didn't work out.
But then probably, I think I was twelve or thirteen when they bought me a drum kit and probably it was the energy. You know, you can bang on the drums. It's great to have this feeling, and you can make sounds quite easily, you know. You have this stick in your hand and you just hit with the stick - the skin, and you get a sound (laughs).
I completely understand because what you just described to me is pretty much my story, because I'm actually a drummer myself and I've been playing ever since I was about two and a half years old.
Oh great!
What you described to me about sitting on the floor and banging pots n' pans is exactly....
You did the same!? (laughs)
Exactly! (laughs) I know I used to drive my parents crazy with that, but just like you, Timo, music was in my blood right from the beginning. My father is actually a drummer himself.
Ah, cool!
Do you still play drums at all?
Well, I don’t have a drum kit. I think the last time.... when was it? I can't even remember. Probably on one of those STRATOVARIUS tours I was able to play some drums during the sound check, but I mean, let's put it this way: I know how to play them but I can't play 'cause it's been well, more than 15 years, you know.... almost 20 years since I stopped actually playing. So, you know how it is. If.... well probably it's not the same for you, but I wasn't that good, but of course, I know how to play.
I know what can be played with the drums, so it's quite easy for me to.... when I'm composing the songs, I'm using a drum machine or playing drums by computer, but I don't make fills that a real drummer could play. So, I know how to play and I basically know what fits in, you know. It's quite easy for me to explain, for example, for me to go like "Why don't you play like this?" (makes drumming sound). Then, it's easy for him, you know.
That must help you though.
That helps a lot, of course.
Do you play any other musical instruments?
Well, playing.... I did compose the songs by guitar and keyboard, but (laughs) I wouldn't really call them playing. Let's put it this way that my level of playing guitar is basically the same like the songs on the album, except that I can't play a whole song in one go, you know (laughs). I have this idea that the riff goes like this and then I play the riff. Then, of course, it's not tight and it's very sloppy played etc. but you know, I can play but then again, I always think the songs that I compose - they should be so simple that almost anybody can play the songs with their guitar. Almost like, you know.... AC/DC songs. Anybody can play them. So, I don't want to make any very progressive metal anyways, so. But of course, then again.... when a real guitar player is playing my songs, it's totally different, so. I can't really play anything, but I just compose let's put it this way.
Do you regret stopping playing the drums?
Well, of course, it would have been fun, but then again.... sorry to say this, but singing is much more fun (laughs).
I was actually just going to ask you that (laughs). You obviously prefer singing then.
Yeah. Definitely! Probably maybe because if you want to be a very good drummer then you really have to practice a lot (laughs) and if you want to be a very good singer, well.... you have to be somehow probably talented. Of course, you have to be practicing. But then again, it's more like a mental thing 'cause if you want to be a singer, then you really want to be a singer. Then, there is a lot of.... at least in my case I think it's more stressful 'cause you get a lot of attention, which is good, but which can also be very bad 'cause you're the frontman. Playing drums is also a little bit similar because it's a very physical thing, and singing is very physical as well, 'cause at least if I compare singing to playing guitar you can play guitar if you have a hangover or if you have the flu, but if you want to sing heavy metal, very high voices, and if you have a very bad flu it's very difficult.
But it's a little bit of the same thing with the drums, 'cause at least with double bass drums, you have to be in very good condition. In a way it's a bit similar, but I don't know. Maybe I was so lazy that I wanted to be a singer, I don't know (laughs). But I did actually.... I did practice a lot, to be honest. I was taking singing lessons for some years, but I haven't been practicing lately much, But then again, I've been doing quite a lot of shows this year, so.
You studied at the conservatory in Helsinki for a couple of years?
Well, I would say I was there four years, but I took one year off because of a lot of touring and also during these 3 years that I was actually at school. Sometimes I was one month away because of the tour, you know.... or recording or something. So I never graduated from the school but basically, I did study a little bit of theory but not much. I know how to read the score but I'm very slow - sort of my prima vista, I guess you would say it like this. I don't know if you know what I mean. So it's not that good. So if I get the score in front of me it takes too much time so it's easier for me to go home and listen to the tape or something.
So it's easier by ear?
Very much more easier, but it's also because I don't really play anything, like I said. If I would be a player, of course, it would be totally different but for a singer, of course it helps if you can read the notes very fast, but then again I'm probably, well - I wasn't that talented in theory, but I took some singing lessons. I did some singing courses and you know, what was probably quite useful for me was that I had to sing something else, not only metal because well, some of my friends - they were metal or rock singers as well - at the school. But I think we were the first ones who actually got into the school because before us, there was only, you know.... jazz singers in the system. But then, I had to sing some musical stuff and even some evergreen jazz standards etc. So I think it even gave me something for my voice - more flexibility probably. I can use my voice in a hard way, but also in a soft way.
You have a very powerful voice Timo, and I can tell when I listen to you sing that you have a lot of talent. I mean, you don't sing death/growling vocals or anything, but your vocal range is amazingly high.
Thanks!
How do you keep your voice in shape to be able to pull off all those high-pitched, long-held vocals?
Well, there are a couple of things. Of course, the key on the tour is that you have to sleep a lot, which in my case is eight or eight and a half hours. Then of course, drinking doesn't help so. Actually, on the past tours, when I was younger, I didn't drink at all because it's affecting my voice but probably I've loosened-up a little bit because, you know, after the show.... I can drink a couple of beers or if I don't have a show the next day then I can drink. But normally I just probably drink a couple of relaxing sleeping beers and then I go to sleep after the show. But also, I do a lot of sports because the better physical condition I have, the easier it is to exhale and inhale and you know, to sing the whole show 'cause I'm trying to make a show, not only sing and stand there.
But also, I hate smoking. I don't hate the smokers but I hate the smoking, so the bus where I'm in – it's a completely non-smoking bus. Of course, not all the roadies like it, but that's the way it is. They can jump off or (laughs) they can be inside, but that's the way it is. I think smoking is very, very difficult. But of course, very often people are smoking in the bars. But I mean.... that's a different thing.
I'm the same way. Anytime I'm around smoke, my throat just seizes up on me.
Yeah, it's not so good for the vocal chords. But of course, there is a lot of other things that are related to singing techniques. Of course, the basic thing is also that you have to drink a lot of water, especially if you drink a lot of coffee like I do.... or alcohol, which I do as well. Then those things - they are drying you up, you know. You drink a lot of coffee then you have to go to the toilet and pee immediately. So you have to drink a lot of water, of course, you know. Then all these singing techniques.... but that's a long story. But there's warming up and sometimes warming down, and using different things to make your voice to be in better shape.
But of course, one important thing is, at least in my case, is that before every tour I have to start, you know, really singing.... getting the condition back. Let's say if the tour would start in one month, and that would be like a one month tour in Europe, for example, then I should start singing more in one week or even start this week. First just a little bit, then almost every day 'cause you have to build up the stamina, you know. 'Cause vocals chords - they are basically just muscles and they have to be in a very good condition and then, of course, it helps if you have a singing technique. You know.... breathing technique and how to support your voice etc.
There's so many things. Now if listen to me, then you might think that "Oh, this might be more difficult than drumming!". Maybe it is, but like I said there's more things. But when you are drumming, you know how to rehearse. You have these books. You go through the books or you play according to some of songs or some exercises. I did that as well, but when you are singing it's so much a mental thing, you know. Sometimes, even though I know I have pretty good technique.... but sometimes, normally I don't have any problems with my voice. But the last two weeks, except the last show, which I did with my own band.... the first two shows, I had a lot of problems and I didn't know why. I just had some slime down in my throat and I was wondering "What the fuck is this now?", 'cause I never had anything like this, but maybe it was some allergy that I never had before but, you never know.
I mean, there's so many things that will affect your body and that way will affect your singing and your vocal chords, you know. 'Cause also your sound is formed by, of course, from the sound that comes from your vocal chords, but also you are reflecting the voice, especially in the very high voices. You are reflecting it through your nasal cavities, or how do you call this? You have these tunnels behind your nose and in your forehead, if you know what I mean. That makes the upper sound, or whatever you would call it. Well, there's a big list, but you asked for this. You asked for this man! (laughs).
(Laughs) Does your throat ever bother you after a gig?
Well, right now I have a little bit because I was doing one band rehearsal for tomorrow's cover gig. That's why my voice is a little bit hoarse. But in the very beginning, when I was much more younger and didn’t have any clue about techniques or anything, then I had sometimes.... some voice problems. But on a normal tour, if everything is okay and I don't have any flu or anything like this, then it's pretty okay actually, you know.... after 30 minutes or something. So not really.
I wanted to ask you about some of the other Finnish bands. Personally, I listen to a lot of them.... of course STRATOVARIUS, NIGHTWISH, CHILDREN OF BODOM, SONATA ARCTICA, THUNDERSTONE to name a few. Are you close friends with any of them?
Most of them, yes. Well, especially, of course, THUNDERSTONE and CHILDREN OF BODOM 'cause these guys.... some of the players from those bands are in my band as well and very often I meet the rest of the guys in the bars. But of course, I also know people from NIGHTWISH and SONATA ARCTICA as well. So, I mean, Finland is a small country. There's only five million people living here, so. All the other bands.... well NIGHTWISH - they are basically from Kitee, which is a bit more north east.... and of course SONATA ARCTICA - they are almost from Lapland, which is quite far away. But Bodom – they are basically from Helsinki.... suburban area. Some of the guys from the other bands are living here as well so.... a lot of good bands!
Oh absolutely! Finland exports some of the best metal bands in the world, in my opinion.
I agree. Right now, that's the situation.
I have no words to describe the talent that is coming out of your country right now.
Yeah, it's pretty okay. In a way it's nice to live in Finland right now because metal is so popular over here. But of course, it's also that.... to me it's a bit annoying 'cause a lot of people know me here. I'm not a pop star but I mean.... the metal scene, it's just sometimes.... well, I mean I don't consider myself a rock star, so it's a bit boring, you know - to be recognized. But it's a small country and also, it's nice going around with some of your friends who can actually earn their living from their music, so it's great! I mean, if some people who believe in their dreams and if they believe in what they're doing and if they can succeed somehow. It's just nice to see that happening.
It is. I know that it must be very difficult for a lot of bands to actually make it because there is so much competition and it's really hard to make money at it. Do you think that a lot of metal bands today still have full-time jobs in addition to being in a band?
Of course! I mean, a lot of those guys are working, but let me think about it. There's probably NIGHTWISH, BODOM.... I don't know about SONATA ARCTICA - maybe not. But then, STRATOVARIUS and.... well of course H-I-M, if you know them?
Yes.
They are big as hell. But those are the big bands. I mean, right now they can live from their music. Probably the guys from H-I-M can live with their music for the rest of their lives. They're so huge, and maybe even NIGHTWISH too 'cause they're big as well. Then, all this other mid-level or let's put it this way – low mid-level. I don't know how to say this.... but those bands who are somehow known. I mean, I would say if you sell less than 50,000 copies worldwide there's no way you can, you know, manage to live from your music.
Yeah. It must be very difficult.
It is very difficult. And also, at the moment I think there is only H-I-M and RASMUS and the metal bands who are coming from Finland and can live from their music outside Finland. Of course, there's some bands who are singing in Finnish.... some old bands who are still big, but they're big only in Finland.
Have you ever thought of singing an album in your native language?
Well, not the whole album. There's some people who have been asking me to do it, but then again, I don't know if it is that good. But I did sing three songs for the latest Walt Disney movie, which was released in Finland. So I did the Finnish versions.
I heard about that.
That was pretty good. It was nice.... pretty nice songs. Also, I'm interested in singing maybe some musicals, 'cause metal is very demanding for the vocalists. But then again, of course, the more you do it, especially what I felt with STRATOVARIUS, you know, the last two albums.... it was the same thing, you know.... just repeating itself, so. But I still love metal. That's the only music that I listen to. But if there's something interesting, I mean, I don't mind singing something else as well and I think I have the right to do it 'cause sometimes, unless you’re here in Finland, some people are saying that you can't do this because you are doing this kind of music, which is a little bit boring. I mean, if somebody wants to play some jazz songs, why not, you know? If he's playing normally in a metal band. It's just music, you know.
So, metal is your favorite!?
Yeah. Well, it's been my favorite for the last twenty years.
Do you have any favorite bands from the 80's?
Well, some like.... old IRON MAIDEN, RAINBOW, some WHITESNAKE albums, QUEENSRŸCHE – Operation Mindcrime, BLACK SABBATH with DIO and DIO himself. Those bands. British heavy metal basically.
Very good choices!
I mean, those are still the classics. If you listened to some disco stuff, which was made during those years, and you try to listen to it now it's like "Hmm.... what the fuck is this?" But if you listen to those old metal albums, the quality of the songs - the sound is crappy. But I mean.... those were the days. But now, the songs that were composed back then – they are still good songs! I also saw, some months ago, JUDAS PRIEST playing live with Rob Halford, and they were excellent.
So it's like - good songs never die, you know. Even though the popularity of some of the bands might go down, but it seems to me that some of those bands can come up again if they have good songs, but if they were just somehow trendy, you know.... like good looks etc., you get older and your good looks are not so good anymore (laughs). But if you have good songs, then you might be able to do a long career, I mean.... if you are lucky and if everything goes well.
Do you have any favorite modern metal bands? Of course, in addition to your own and many of the other Finnish bands.
Well, not so many. I think, well.... talk about Finnish bands, I would say the best live band is definitely CHILDREN OF BODOM. But then again, I can't listen to the whole album by them, but I just love some of the songs and they are excellent players. So I think they are the best live band right now. What else? To be honest, I don't listen to that much new music. I don't have the time or the energy to do it. Of course, if some of my friends are making a new album, of course I'm very interested to listen to it 'cause they will ask me anyway "How do you like it?". So of course, that's what I want to do and I'm interested in those. But I mean, there's so many metal albums coming out every month, so.... and that is funny 'cause I visited the headquarters of Century Media in Germany and they were asking if I want to get some promo copies or some albums 'cause they are used to that.
If they get some band members coming down to their office and to give some interviews and then they want to go to the warehouse and go to ask " Can I have this, this, this?" and then, you know.... 50 or a 100 CDs – happier, they go out! But then I said "Well, if you really think that (laughs) you have something that might interest me, then I might take it (laughs). They forced me to take maybe 5 or 10 CDs. I don't know if I've listened to them yet, but even though I would get a lot of free CDs, I don't want to do it just because I want to get something. But if it's something that might interest me somehow, it would be something that would move me, you know.... musically or if the singer will be something that might be interesting to listen to, then of course, I'm interested to listen to it.
But also, it might be different for you because you are a journalist and of course, it's your job to listen to a lot of.... or your hobby.... I don’t know if you are a professional or not, but it's your thing. You MUST listen to a lot of music and then you know what's going on. But then again, for me.... I'm also trying to avoid listening to so much modern music because I'm very much afraid of, you know, in copying something by.... not on purpose but, you know, it might happen if you listen to a lot of new music and then suddenly.... when you're composing your own songs, you think that this is your own idea and then when you've released your album, then you hear "Ah, this was from this album".
So instead, I try to get influences from the 80's, but I don't want to copy those bands or copy those songs. But I want to get this feeling because to me, it's still fresh and maybe for some other people as well. If I do my kind of music, I don't want to follow any trends - any modern trends. It might be fresh, even though it's old, if you know what I mean? It's like, for me, I still listen to those old bands. But then again, like I said, I don't listen to that much music, especially if I have rehearsals.... if I have a show today. Well actually, I was jogging this morning and I was listening to some of the songs, which are on my MP3 player, but they were my own songs because I had to learn the lyrics (laughs). Normally, I don’t listen to my own songs at all, but
it's a bit of a weird feeling 'cause now I have to confess that "Ah, I was listening to my own songs", but it was just because I forgot some of the lyrics from the last show (laughs). So, I had to study, you know.
I agree with exactly what you said, Timo, about listening to modern music. Myself, I listen to mostly metal. I do listen to some other forms of music, but it's good to hear that you don't really want to follow any modern trends in music or anything, that you don't want to copy anyone else.
But of course, all the notes and all the chords – they've been invented centuries ago. But then again, I hate to be trendy, you know. In a way, I was very surprised because one big radio station here in Finland started to play one song from my latest album – this song called "Reasons".... and that was the most-played song in February. And of course, well.... I guess you can say that I was trendy but I didn't want to be trendy.
But of course, I have nothing against it - if somebody wants to play my music (laughs), but that was a big surprise, so. But, on purpose, I don’t want to think about it, you know.... when I'm composing.... that I have to compose this kind of song – "Oh the radio would play it!". I was just lucky 'cause this is like rock radio, but all the other radios, they didn’t play it so much and I never, ever will have any chance to get my music on MTV and I don’t even want to have it there 'cause.... once again, if they want to play it, go ahead. But I know that they won't so I don't give a fuck.
I understand. "Reasons" was the first single from the album.
Yeah.
Did you decide on that or did the label decide that?
Actually, it was none of those. You could blame me, but I played the songs for a couple of my friends and I asked their opinion. I had, you know, a couple of choices in my mind, and then they said "Reasons!". And then they said "This is something new, but something old. This is a good song! Choose this!" Then I thought.... well, I was thinking about it and then I think that was the best choice from the album, to be the first single, even though it's more rock than the rest of the songs. But then again, it's something new, 'cause if it would have been some of the faster songs, then probably some of the people would have been saying "Ah, he's just trying to copy STRATOVARIUS", because there's a lot of people who only want to listen to the first clip and then they make up their mind, you know.
So then I thought, "I don't want to have a very fast song as an opener, as a first single". That's actually the same thing why I chose to release this song called "Take Me Away" as the second single. But that's only released in Finland 'cause the label didn't want to release it anywhere else, so.
That was limited to 1000 copies I believe.
It's less. I think it's.... well, basically it's 1000. But then, of course, I took probably 50 CDs for my friends and for some competitions etc. and my promo guy – he took, I guess the next 50 for something.... for promotion. So, I would say probably 900 is closer to the truth.
On the single for "Take Me Away", you had an alternate version of "Beauty Has Come".
Yeah.
What made you decide to release this version on the single?
Well, the only thing is that I wanted to give something special for the people who buy this. I mean, the single costs 2 Euros, which is, I guess, 2 and a half dollars or something, which is very cheap.... and actually, I'm losing some money because of the pressing and promotion and everything. But I just wanted to thank my Finnish fans for putting "Reasons" as number one on the Finnish single charts, and also putting the album as number four on the charts. That really meant something for me. And then I thought, "This has to be something special for these people".... and that's why I wasn't so angry about it, you know - that Century Media didn't want to release it anywhere else.
It was their decision. Of course, sometimes I didn't like it but then I explained "That's the way it is." I mean, I made it. And of course, if the label wanted to release it somewhere else, it would have been great, but I can’t force them. It's not something I can do about it so. But it was just a gift for the people who helped me to put this album so high up on the charts, so.
"Reasons" is a very catchy song. I really like it! I actually reviewed your album on our site and I didn’t think any song sounded like STRATOVARIUS at all. I think it was totally unique. You mentioned earlier that some people may have decided, after the first track, "Seeds Of Sorrow", to not listen to the rest of the album. I think that it's totally different than any STRATOVARIUS material that you've done before.
Yeah. Well, but then again.... there's a lot of people who form their opinions after the first five seconds, and then they don’t bother listening to the rest of the songs.... and if it's fast, and if the vocal lines are somehow high, and if I'm singing, of course it's STRATOVARIUS (laughs). You know what I mean. Even though it would be totally different.... but that's the way it is. That was one of the things that I chose "Reasons" to be the single.
I read on your website that you really like sports - playing football, of course. We call that soccer here, but obviously myself being European, I understand what football means.
(Laughs) I'm not that much into football, to be honest.
No?
Well, I didn’t play this summer yet and I think I didn’t play last summer. I wanted to play, but the sports that I'm doing.... it's called Floorball.
Floorball?
Yeah. So, it's totally different. If you want to check it out, it's www.floorball.net or org. I can't remember which one. [It's www.floorball.org]. But you get a plastic.... well, it's not totally plastic, but you have this stick.... and then the ball - that's plastic.... and it's full of holes, and then you are running. You have five players, basically, on your side and then the goalkeeper. But it's closer actually to ice hockey than to football or soccer. But it's a little bit different to explain, but it's a very fast game and that's what I do. And then the other sport.... what I do, of course, is I go to the gym.... well, 3-4 times a week, and lately I've been also doing some morning jogging.
It must help you to keep yourself in shape. You mentioned earlier about keeping in shape for singing.
Yeah.
What else do you like to do in your spare time?
Well, sometimes I like it and sometimes I don't but I have to spend many hours on a computer, you know. There's a lot of things, especially now that I have to organize a lot of things related to my.... to our solo shows, or KOTIPELTO shows.... even though it's my name. But I try to say that WE have to play these shows, or WE have the opportunity to play these shows. That takes a lot of time when I have to phone everybody in the band that if it's possible.... like today I did some of those. And then of course, I try to answer some of the fan mails. I can't do them all but I try to answer as many as possible, but that takes a lot of time. Well, it's basically sports, music and this computer thing and then.... soon, I'm going to start composing new songs. I have some ideas, but not many songs ready yet. But that's about it.
When are you thinking of starting to record the next album?
That's totally open. I don't have any plans for that 'cause this spring has been quite busy with, you know.... all the interviews and etc., so I didn't have any time to do any composing. Right now, because I'm at home, I can't really compose here. So, I have to either go to my rehearsing place, which is quite close anyway, or what I'm planning to do probably in August or early September, I might rent again one of these colleges where I wrote the lyrics for "Coldness". So maybe I'll go down there to my old hometown and maybe, you know, start composing something. Composing takes quite a lot of time. It's quite easy to compose a song, but 'cause I'm a bad player (laughs), I take so much time.
When you're writing, how would you describe the writing process? Do you find it quite difficult or easy?
Composing is quite easy, but writing the lyrics.... that's much harder because, I mean.... I'm not a writer. I'm not a poet. So that's very difficult. And also, the fact that my first language is Finnish and the second would be English. So, of course, that's more difficult for me. Music is a universal language, you know. But of course, composing a song – when you have the whole idea, when you know what to put there.... still, it takes me one day or one and a half days. I mean, I'm not working from 10-6 or something like this. Probably, sometimes I might just play maybe just one hour or four hours. It depends, but I only do it when I feel like it. It doesn't make any sense if I get the feeling that I'm bored or I have to do something else. Then, I have to do something else 'cause it's affecting, you know.
It probably makes the process a lot easier when you don't have that pressure of knowing that you have finish something in a certain amount of time.
Of course! Of course! But that's why this time - on the first album and on the second album, that I will go to the studio to mix it when everything is ready. But I mean, it's always the same thing. I'm still singing some vocals when the last mixing is going on, you know (laughs). So, maybe for the next album, I could do the vocals last.... before starting the mixing, so. But let's see. Hopefully! This would be a dream, you know.
So you don’t like to set deadlines for yourself!?
Well, I have to because if I won't set any deadlines, I won't do anything (laughs). So that's why I have to do it. I have to decide that "Okay. I'll compose the songs this autumn and then we'll rehearse in early January, then the studio late January, recording basic tracks and then mixing in March". If I would do it next year, I would do it like this. But this time I won't be doing it. But it could be possible. So maybe.... well right now, like I said, I don't have any plans but when I get myself to compose and of course, when I get the songs ready.... whenever that happens, maybe this time I'll get all the guys in the band together and we'll try to play the songs first and then we'll do some pre-production, which we didn't do the last two times. And maybe that way, I could make the next album better than "Coldness" or "Waiting For The Dawn". That would be very nice, but I can't promise you anything (laughs).
Does it ever get really stressful for you?
Yeah, of course! It's very stressful, especially when I was singing the vocals. I mean, that's the hardest part anyway, so.
Did you have a pretty good working relationship with the players that played on "Coldness"?
Yeah. I mean, I'm very satisfied to their work. There is no problem, but the only problem to me is me myself, you know. That's the difficult person 'cause well.... it's studio work, you know. Singing in the studio - it's easier to sing somebody else's songs, but to sing your own songs - that's very difficult.
Janne Wirman is an incredible keyboardist. He did an amazing job on the CD. I actually had the privilege of meeting him when CHILDREN OF BODOM were here.
He's cool. He's also a very good friend of mine
You're going to be performing with STRATOVARIUS on July 31st at the Gates Of Metal festival. How is your relationship with the other members of the band?
Well, I'm not that much in contact with Tolkki or Kainulainen, but sometimes I'm in contact with Jörg or Jens, especially now that I'm planning to come over to the States. So, it's pretty okay. But I heard from a friend of mine who knows Tolkki pretty well and he told me that his condition is not very good at the moment. Even though our relationship is not that good, I still wish that he would, you know, get himself together because he's a very talented guy and he just had some problems and he still has a lot of problems. Right now he can't work at all, so it's like, he has his expanded studio but he's unable to do anything. So it's not nice to see something like this happening.
Have you done any rehearsals for the gig at all?
No, we haven't and we won't. I think the last show.... when was it we played? Oh yeah, a month ago. Well, we don't have any time. I think we will meet somewhere in Sweden 'cause Jörg is coming in a night liner on the bus and probably Jens is flying I guess maybe to Malm. I don't know how he's coming up there. I don't even know where it is. It's somewhere south west Sweden, I guess.... called Hultsfred or something - the place. I've never been there so I have no idea. Well actually, that's the second show 'cause then the next Sunday, the day after, we're going to play.... well, it's not in Helsinki, but the next town here in Finland. Of course, I was planning maybe to rehearse some of those songs today 'cause that's why I was listening to it while jogging today.
I was also listening to some of those songs, even though, of course, I know the songs. Sometimes if there's a longer break than two weeks, it's good for me to refresh my memory, you know.... when it comes to the lyrics. Melodies I know by heart. That's not the problem. But I think it's also my singing condition. Without these possible allergies, it's pretty good.... but I had to rehearse those songs because of that. I can do those anyways. But maybe I was planning to do some rehearsing probably on Thursday evening. It depends, but it's not a catastrophe if I won't do it.
I mean, it's probably enough if I just listen to the songs once more and that's it. But it doesn’t make any sense, to be honest, to rehearse 'cause we've been playing quite many shows together. Then again, it's more stressful (laughs) to even think about rehearsing. It's much more easier to go on the stage than off the stage, you know. But, like I said, even though the conditions within the band members are not so good, I still want to give my 100 percent for the fans.
Well, that's the main thing, Timo.
I mean, that's not the problem. As long as we are playing the songs - that's the easy part. But of course, sometimes at the backstage, the feeling isn't that good (laughs). Well, anyway, it's much better than in the beginning of the year because now this one guy is taking his medication quite heavy, I guess, and he doesn't drink at all so he comes to the backstage one hour before, warms up and then he plays a show and then he leaves. So, that's pretty okay. But of course, it's not the best feeling you can have, you know.
Timo, if you weren't making music for a living, what would you have chosen to do as an alternative career?
That's a good question. I was doing some radio job, you know. I was.... well, I wouldn't call it DJ-ing, but of course, I also played music, but it was some local radio station what I did. So that could have been something but then again, I studied one year - economics, and I didn’t like it. And then by accident, I chose to apply on one music school before the conservatory and I happened to get in and then that's how my musical career started, so. But it's hard to say. I don't have any education when it comes to that. I only went through the college and that's it, so. What would it be? Well, it's a little bit too late to be a professional in any of the sports, you know (laughs). So, I don't know.
But you're happy with your decision to be a musician!?
Well, of course! Right now, this is my dream. Every day is a new challenge in a way, so. But of course, you never know how long you can continue. People might lose their interest in you or in your music and you know, anything can happen, so. But I don't mind. I mean, if I can't earn my living with singing then I can do something else. I don't have to play, you know.... a rock star. But let's see. I probably have some interesting opportunities coming up in the next few years so let's see what happens.
What are your plans for the future, Timo?
Well, actually, there's one plan which is not sure about it yet. A friend of mine told me that there might be.... well actually I can't tell you about it (laughs), but he approached me when I visited another city here in Finland. Let's put it this way that it's related to a different kind of music but that might be interesting 'cause it might be something that I wanted to do in the past and never was able to do it. But let's see. I don't know. Right now I'm kind of, you know, doing this.... my own shows, which I still have quite many left, hopefully this year.
There's only I think, 4 confirmed shows but.... well actually, there are more. I guess 6 or 10 confirmed. I think the last one is actually after Christmas so there's going to be some shows to be done. And then.... well, maybe I'll start composing some songs and maybe start working on the songs next year. Let's see. And also, if there would be some other soundtracks.... some movie soundtracks coming up, I wouldn't minding singing those, so. If it's related to music, ALMOST anything goes. But then of course, if it's something totally different, it doesn’t go, you know.
I just have a couple more questions, Timo. I really appreciate you taking this length of time to speak with me today. Do you have anything you'd like to add to anything I've asked you, or have I not asked you anything that you'd like to talk about?
Well, we've been talking about a lot of things, so. Well, like I said earlier, it'd be great if I could come to visit Canada someday. Of course, if it would be touring then it would be excellent but of course, if I could combine, you know.... touring with some off-days, some holidays.... that'd be great! I've never been there and a lot of people.... well, not a lot of, but the people I know that have been into Canada before - they say that it reminds them, somehow, of Scandinavia. I don’t know if it's true or not but I guess the climate is about the same right? I don't know.
When you go further east in Canada, it becomes a lot colder, especially in the winter time, of course. It can be -50 in some spots. I've never been to Finland myself, but I'm sure that the climate is quite similar.
Yeah, it's about the same. It varies, let's put it this way. It varies between -30 and +30, but I mean in Helsinki, I would say last winter probably the coldest day was.... maybe it was -20. But this summer it's been quite cold for some reason. It's been raining like hell and I think today it was 21 degrees, but it was completely cloudy. But they promised it's going to be.... well, which is hot for Finland is 25, so it's going to be probably during the week and maybe even 25/26 and that's all. But it's not very normal that you have more than +30 degrees. It's not that warm up here. I think it's pretty okay, especially after a very long and dark winter - when you get to see the sun the first time and you have the first warm spring days, then it's like "Wow!".
Finland definitely is a place I'd like to visit someday.
You should! Do it!
Timo, do you have any words you'd like to send out to our readers and to the North American fans?
Yeah. Well, of course, thanks a lot for the support. I've been getting a lot of e-mails from Canada and of course, I wish that someday it will be possible for me to play a show or two up there and hopefully we will meet somewhere. Thanks a lot!
That would be great! Timo, I really appreciate you taking the time to speak with me today. I know you're a busy guy.
You're welcome.
I just want to thank you very much for your time and I wish you the best of luck in the future, and hopefully see you on tour sometime.
Yeah, that'd be great. To be honest, I think this was one of the longest interviews I've ever done with anybody, but it was also interesting. So it was not one of these, you know, interviews which will start with the question "Tell me about...." No, the boring interviews might start like this.... "What's the difference between your first and your second CD?" or "Tell me about your CD?". What the fuck? I mean.... "Well, it's a round thing. There's a hole in the middle and if you turn it around, the other side is a little bit different. Can you see it? Yes! Exactly!" Now you get the point (laughs)! But this was interesting, so no problem at all.
Well, once again, I really appreciate you taking the time to speak with me. METALEATER.COM supports you and your future endeavors and I'm looking forward to seeing your future albums. Thanks very much Timo!
Thanks a lot, man! Take care. [FIN]
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