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February 9, 2010 |
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Jari Mäenpää
December 29, 2004
By Ciaran Meeks
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It's no secret that Finland is currently one of the major hotspots for breeding Metal talent internationally. I mean...AMORPHIS, FINNTROLL, MOONSORROW, CHILDREN OF BODOM, NIGHTWISH, STRATOVARIUS, NORTHER, TURISAS, ENSIFERUM, WINTERSUN...if that's not an impressive list of bands I don't know what is. It's also no secret to those of you who have been loyally reading along for the last year that both I - and many of the other crew members here at METALEATER.COM - just eat this stuff up with headbanging abandon. As such, it was an absolute pleasure for me to get the chance to interview vocalist/guitarist/all-around-musical-guy Jari Mäenpää (formerly of ENSIFERUM now of WINTERSUN/ARTHEMESIA) who was gracious enough to let me pick his brain on all manner of subjects, namely his brilliant solo debut WINTERSUN.
To start with, thanks very much for agreeing to share some of your time with METALEATER.COM and our readers. How is the holiday season treating you so far?
No problem... Well, I almost just slept through Christmas, because it's a damn boring event. But I also got some inspiration for some great music, so it wasn't wasted time.
Before we talk about WINTERSUN, perhaps you could speak a bit about your personal history as a musician. For example, as a starting point I understand that prior to joining ENSIFERUM in 1996 you were in a band called IMMEMORIAL. I'm sure there are a lot of readers who would be interested in learning more about your background.
(Laughs) IMMEMORIAL was just a couple of teenagers playing guitar (me and Oliver Fokin) and trying to make songs. We did some demos using a drummachine - nothing special really. Oliver (and METALLICA) actually inspired me to start playing the guitar. Then we were always jamming together. Lots of times we went to play in this local youthclub and there were drums. Both of us wanted to beat the shit out of the them, so we took turns on guitar and drums. It turned out that Oliver was much better on that drums than me (and later in 1998 he joined ENSIFERUM as a drummer). But I guess during those times was the start in my musical career. I also started to make my own songs and demos very early and around that time I also started singing. Then in 1996 I joined ENSIFERUM as a vocalist/guitarist... and I think you know the rest.
Which artists (either in Metal or otherwise) have been an influence on your own singing/playing? Are you in any way classically trained? In my personal opinion you have a very strong and distinct vocal. Did you take any kind of formal voice lessons?
No musical education at all, except a few beginner's guitar lessons. I've just learned and practiced everything on my own. I used to sing at home along to my favorite albums (METALLICA, KISS, SKID ROW, PANTERA, CARCASS...) with headphones on. Also, I recorded my vocals to hear what my voice sounded like and what I needed to improve on. I got some complaints from the neighbours, because I was screaming all day long (laughs)! But I really had to work on my voice, because I was really, really bad at first. And I still ain't nearly good enough as I would like to be, but I'm learning all the time.
In hindsight, how do you look back upon your time in ENSIFERUM? Both the debut and "Iron" are two of my personal favourite albums. The debut in particular was something of a landmark release actually, helping to create the whole 'Folk Metal' subgenre along with other acts such as FINNTROLL, MOONSORROW, etc. Despite leaving to pursue WINTERSUN more fully, are you still on good terms with the band?
Yep, we are very good friends. It was a great time - lots of good memories. I have no regrets at all leaving the band. Well, actually I got fired. I was planning to be in both bands, but it turned out that there was simply no time for both. It's a pity, because I really enjoyed playing in ENSIFERUM. But when I had to make a decision which band is more important to me, the answer was very clear.
For a debut solo album, WINTERSUN is quite an ambitious and impressive piece of work. Quite different from ENSIFERUM. It seems to be based more in neo-classical than in any kind of 'folk' influence. Much sharper and more aggressive too. I hear a lot of different styles (i.e. Speed, Folk, Power Metal) all fused and melded together to create something unique. Would you say that this was a conscious effort on your part, or simply the end product that comes from being interested in many different subgenres of Metal coming through naturally in the composing process?
I think it was half conscious. I knew that I wanted to do a little bit more aggressive and faster music. But in the end, all of the songs just came naturally from somewhere. And half of the songs were already written a long time ago and I can't remember much what I was thinking back then. It's also true that I listen to lots of different music/metal, so the influences come from many bands/music. My problem (or advantage perhaps?) is that every other song that I make is very different and wouldn't fit on the same album, so I make lots of different music. These songs that are on the WINTERSUN album are recorded over lots of years, so there's lots of different elements. During that time I wrote lots of other songs too, but they are a different genre. I hope that I can record and release these projects someday. There's lots of great stuff, you know.
How would you describe the emotions/themes at the heart of WINTERSUN? What is your inspiration/focal point when writing this material? Is it of a personal nature on any level, or simply a vehicle for imaginative 'fantasy'?
Lyrically it's quite a personal record, but there's a little bit of fantasy also. Actually, you can understand the songs by many ways and meanings, which is great. But underneath all the metaphors to stars, space, vast and cold winter landscapes, it's all about my personal life - my feelings, emotions, thoughts, dreams, visions and hallucinations.
How long have you actually been working on WINTERSUN? I had heard talk of it even before Iron was released, so it must have been in the works for some time now. The songwriting, and even the bulk of the playing (from vocals, to guitars, to keys) on this album (if I am correct!) was entirely done by you. That must be quite an undertaking! How easy or gruelling was the writing/composing/recording process for you?
The songs on the album are from 1995-2004, but of course, I didn't write those songs that long. I have done lots of other things like ENSIFERUM, ARTHEMESIA and my other projects. I started to plan the recording of WINTERSUN in 2003 when I got the record deal from Nuclear Blast. By that time I already had lots of the songs written, I just needed a couple more. I started to write them, also arranging the older songs better and planning the studios and those sorts of things. But I couldn't do it efficiently, because we were also planning and writing ENSIFERUM's "Iron". Then we went to Denmark to record it with Flemming Rasmussen. After that I really started to work on WINTERSUN, doing synth arrangements and finish off the songs and lyrics, doing click CDs to Kai, so that he could practice. I must say, it was hard work and recording in the studio was even harder, but I was very excited so I could do it.
Also, I've gotten used to doing everything by myself, because I've always been recording demos at home on my own.
You also produced the album if I am not mistaken. Are you formally educated in recording/engineering or is it something you've just picked up along the way?
I'm not educated, but I have done this all my life. I started with 4-track, then 8-track, then 16-track and now I have moved to the computer world of recording, which is really great. It has lots possibilities. I just hope that I would have more money, so that I could work faster/better and stop fucking around with shitty and powerless computers, argh! :)
While the whole album is excellent, a personal favourite track of mine would have to be 'Death And The Healing'. That is just such an overwhelming, stirring chorus on that song! Great leadwork too. Very heroic! What are some of the highlights on the album for you? Do you have any particular favourite tracks that take on a special meaning?
Thanks! Well, every song is a highlight and important to me in their own ways. "Beautiful Death" and "Battle Against Time" were therapeutic to write, because they deal with the negative sides of my life and it was good to get those feelings on paper and into music. "Death And The Healing", "Sleeping Stars" and "Sadness And Hate" are very old songs that still live on, so they have sentimental value.
As I just stated, there is - in general - a very 'heroic', or uplifting overtone to much of your material, both on WINTERSUN, and also on the ENSIFERUM releases. You seem to have a real knack for composing genuinely moving, stirring anthems. The music is certainly aggressive, and even mournful at times, but never 'depressing' or a 'downer'. In fact, in it's way it is quite cathartic, as well as positive and very inspiring to listen to. Any comments? Is this a conscious goal when writing, or again just a natural part of your creative process?
Yes, I have a little bit of a mournful, melancholic, majestic or kinda "spacy" way of writing, when it comes to melodies. Although everything is not melancholic, but rather "heroic" like you said, but I don't know if it's the right word to describe it. It's difficult to find adjectives to describe the feeling of my own music - it's just me. When I wrote songs to ENSIFERUM (few songs like "LAI LAI HEI" and "Token Of Time"), I first needed to get into that "folk mood", before the music came out of me. WINTERSUN's music just comes out naturally. I don't mean to write certain things. It just happens, I guess. I'm just trying to write good music that I like. It's as simple as that. But you know I love good melodies that have that certain majestic feeling. And I like when the music is big, even bombastic (but of course it doesn't have to be).
How much of a challenge has it been finding other musicians (i.e. Kai Hahto/Jukka Koskinen) whose abilities/vision was compatible enough with your own to bring WINTERSUN to life in the studio? How would you describe your relationship with your band?
The record was done just by me and Kai. After that, I started to search for more members. It wasn't that difficult to find them, except a synthplayer, which I haven't found yet (so we are now planning to use back up tapes live). I can't really tell yet what the chemistry is like between the band, because we haven't even played together yet. It's a bit of a hard situation, because we don't have a rehearsal place and Kai lives 400 kilometres away. We are planning and organizing how we are going to make the band work, so that we could play some live shows. Anyways, everyone are great guys and musical professionals, so I think we're going to get along just great!
How did you hook up with Nuclear Blast? How is the label to work with?
I met a dude from Nuclear Blast one night after an ENSIFERUM show. We talked and had some beers, lots of them actually :). Then I mentioned about my material to him and he was interested and wanted to hear it. Then later, I put 3 demo songs onto a CD and sent it to them. They loved the material and offered me a deal at once. That was a quite nice suprise. The relationship has been great and it means a lot to me that they are 100% behind WINTERSUN.
Are there any plans to take WINTERSUN on the road?
Yes, that's the plan. But like I said, there's still stuff that needs to be sorted out first.
What do you get up to when you're not working on the band? I have heard through the 'Metal grapevine' that your 'day job' is that of a classical guitar teacher. Is there any truth to this rumour?
Nope. It's a funny rumour :) I'm actually unemployed. I'm just trying to do this band shit everyday. It's quite hard when you're broke all the time (needing equipment and so on). And then again if I would have a job there would be no time for a band (tried that before, but it just doesn't work). So it's a dilemma. But I would rather be poor and doing what I love than working some shitty job. Actually, I'm being pressured to get a job with certain "authorities". I have nothing against work and making money, but I would have to sacrifice my musical career, so no thanks!
I understand that in 1997 you had to take up to a year off from bands and music for a stint in the Finnish military. What was that like? Is it true that all youth in your country have to undergo some sort of mandatory civil/military service at age 18? How do you look back on the experience? Was it positive? Negative? Did you come away from it with anything that has been helpful or beneficial in any way regarding your career in music?
20% of the time I spent in the army was really great and 80% was fucking bullshit and a waste of time. I guess the experience didn't affect me musically at all, but you never know, maybe in some subconscious level. I'm little bit bitter because I suspect that I got tuberculosis from the army that was discovered later on - actually too late. It got really bad and I needed to have an operation where they removed a part of my lung. I was hospitalized for months and it was a really dark time of my life. Actually, that is what the song "Beautiful Death" is about. So hey, maybe it did have some effect on me musically/lyrically after all. :)
What kind of Metal scene does Finland have from your point of view? To the eyes of an outsider such as myself you are blessed with what appears to be one of the best scenes in the world; i.e. so many great bands such as CHILDREN OF BODOM, STRATOVARIUS, NIGHTWISH, NORTHER, ENSIFERUM, MOONSORROW, FINNTROLL, and now WINTERSUN, and great festivals like Tuska, etc... How good or bad is it really in your opinion compared to elsewhere in the world?
Well, we have lots of metalheads here, as well as metal bands on the charts - and Tuska - it's a festival where we all meet and get wasted :) I don't know much about other countries, because I haven't been anywhere much. Those are okay bands that you mentioned, especially MOONSORROW, ENSIFERUM ;), FINNTROLL, old STRATOVARIUS, and the newest NORTHER CD was good also. But I don't really listen to finnish bands much in my free time. The bands here are nicely produced and well-played, but I think lots of them are missing something. But it's great that we are getting noticed. It will help bands like WINTERSUN too. :)
What contemporary artists are you currently enjoying? I have heard you are something of a Devin Townsend/STRAPPING YOUNG LAD fan. Who else currently makes the rounds in your CD player?
Yes it's true - Devin Townsend is amazing! I love everything he does and he's the best singer ever! I also have lots of respect for how he has managed to build his own career. A couple of days ago I listened to CARCASS "Heartwork". That's a fucking good record! You've gotta love the vocals "rrright!" :) Then I listened to SUMMONING "Dol Guldur" yestarday - amazing band! Hmm, what else... oh yes, Devin Townsend of course! :)
What has the media reaction been - overall - to WINTERSUN?
It's been great! Lots of good reviews - maybe too good sometimes, but it's nice to read praises and compliments. I never get tired of reading them :). There are a few not so good reviews also, but that's life.
Do you have any ideas yet as to what sort of theme the sophomore WINTERSUN release will follow or is it still too early to even think about that? Do you intend to keep a certain stylistic consistency album after album or can we expect lots of changes/surprises?
Of course there's going to be some suprises and some changes too! I don't want to repeat myself over and over again. I think it's going to be a more emotional album - deeper feelings in the songs. It's going to be bigger, heavier, and more majestic. There's going to be more clean vocals - not forgetting the screams and growls of course. But I only have riffs and melodies and a few song ideas lying around, so it's too early to reveal anything more.
Do you have any other projects in the works? Are there any artists in particular you would enjoy collaborating with in the future?
Well, I have everyone that I need at the moment, but some production/vocal arranging help from Devin would be grrreat! I also play guitar and write some songs in a band called ARTHEMESIA, which is black metal (at least lyrically). The music is quite technical, aggressive and crazy - also melodic and a bit experimental, but no techno shit. We have planned to do our second album in the spring. If we get it done despite all of our busy times schedules, it's gonna kick fucking ass!
What long-term goals do you have as a musician that you intend to reach, either through WINTERSUN or on other future projects?
There are lots of things that I need to do - lots of projects and visions musically. So I hope that I don't die before I get them done. I'm also dreaming of my own studio, so that I could work on my visions in the best way! [FIN]
Having achieved a metal milestone in ENSIFERUM, and now again with WINTERSUN, Jari Mäenpää is surely destined to become an important architect in the new generation of metal. To not experience WINTERSUN's self-titled debut would be depriving yourself of a truly magnificent piece of work. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of "Wintersun", available everywhere on Nuclear Blast Records.
» Official WINTERSUN Website
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