Interview with Velvet Ocean Guitarist Jarkko “Jake” Ronkainen
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| Photo by: Jarkko Ronkainen |
By Mick Michaels
COSMICK VIEW: Hello, Jake! Welcome to The Cosmick
View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it's
greatly appreciated.
Jarkko “Jake” Ronkainen: Thank you very much!
CV: Do you feel Heavy Metal music in general is viewed differently by fans in Europe compared to fans elsewhere, especially in America, and if so why?
Jake: I must say that I have never really thought about this before. Since much of the fanbase building nowadays occurs online, the boundaries of countries seem to have faded a little bit. I think we have gotten a lot of positive feedback from all over the world. I kind of like to see music quite universal in the way that if somebody hears something he likes, it doesn’t perhaps matter so much where he lives. Certainly cultural differences between Europe as a whole versus US do exist. I think Europe is culturally more heterogeneous with a lot of differences in music traditions and languages and I think these traditions translate into Metal music in what’s called the “European sound”. Depending on your viewpoint you might then perceive this as something original or just plain weird. I also think that in Europe there are differences between the popularity of different Metal genres in different countries. In America I do appreciate the innovative and modern thinking as opposed to doing things only the traditional way.
CV: What do you feel makes Heavy Metal music so alluring to the fans? What is it about the music that personally resonates so strongly with you?
Jake: I think it is probably the fact that Metal music as well as Metal music fans are pretty recognizable. When you see people wearing black, listening to a band with high pitched vocals, crunch guitars and epic solos, it’s pretty soon evident that you’ve bumped into a bunch of Metal lovers. I think it’s then the feeling of togetherness that follows the external signs that makes you feel that you belong to something. Personally I also love the energy, ambivalence and just the ‘Metal sound’. I think the moods varying from sensitive and fragile to brutal aggressive as well as ambient sounds mixed with technical parts just makes the music interesting.
CV: Has Metal splintered into too many sub-genres in your opinion, thus, making it harder for newer bands to actually classify themselves as one style over another? Is it confusing for fans as well?
Jake: Maybe the simple answer here is just yes. Since I’m very versatile in my music taste I don’t care so much about the classification. Especially, when people start arguing whether a certain band qualifies to a certain genre or not, I think it’s not particularly constructive. I also have to admit that there are many genres that I do not know criteria for so it’s often impossible for me to tell which genre particular Metal music belongs to. If you like the music, what difference does it really make what you call it? I’m sure it’s confusing if you get the feeling that you’re not supposed to like a particular band because it doesn’t qualify that ‘correct’ genre.
CV: How would you describe the current state of the music business considering we are now living in a COVID aware, and maybe even feared world? Have things drastically changed long-term for artists and bands given the recent pandemic? What are your thoughts?
Jake: The music business, as well many other businesses, is at the moment of course in a state of emergency…especially people like event organizers and audio rental companies that might find it very difficult to find anything to replace the normal activities, are in trouble. Even artists who still have radio play or streaming gigs certainly have suffered financial losses. On the other hand, the situation has forced many people to rethink their business which might have some positive consequences in the future. Nobody knows how long the situation will eventually last but I’m sure one day things will get more or less back to normal. How this kind of tragedy affects, especially lonely people and people who haven’t been in a very good place to start with, is also huge and I think the final consequences will only be realized after some time.
Jarkko “Jake” Ronkainen: Thank you very much!
CV: Do you feel Heavy Metal music in general is viewed differently by fans in Europe compared to fans elsewhere, especially in America, and if so why?
Jake: I must say that I have never really thought about this before. Since much of the fanbase building nowadays occurs online, the boundaries of countries seem to have faded a little bit. I think we have gotten a lot of positive feedback from all over the world. I kind of like to see music quite universal in the way that if somebody hears something he likes, it doesn’t perhaps matter so much where he lives. Certainly cultural differences between Europe as a whole versus US do exist. I think Europe is culturally more heterogeneous with a lot of differences in music traditions and languages and I think these traditions translate into Metal music in what’s called the “European sound”. Depending on your viewpoint you might then perceive this as something original or just plain weird. I also think that in Europe there are differences between the popularity of different Metal genres in different countries. In America I do appreciate the innovative and modern thinking as opposed to doing things only the traditional way.
CV: What do you feel makes Heavy Metal music so alluring to the fans? What is it about the music that personally resonates so strongly with you?
Jake: I think it is probably the fact that Metal music as well as Metal music fans are pretty recognizable. When you see people wearing black, listening to a band with high pitched vocals, crunch guitars and epic solos, it’s pretty soon evident that you’ve bumped into a bunch of Metal lovers. I think it’s then the feeling of togetherness that follows the external signs that makes you feel that you belong to something. Personally I also love the energy, ambivalence and just the ‘Metal sound’. I think the moods varying from sensitive and fragile to brutal aggressive as well as ambient sounds mixed with technical parts just makes the music interesting.
CV: Has Metal splintered into too many sub-genres in your opinion, thus, making it harder for newer bands to actually classify themselves as one style over another? Is it confusing for fans as well?
Jake: Maybe the simple answer here is just yes. Since I’m very versatile in my music taste I don’t care so much about the classification. Especially, when people start arguing whether a certain band qualifies to a certain genre or not, I think it’s not particularly constructive. I also have to admit that there are many genres that I do not know criteria for so it’s often impossible for me to tell which genre particular Metal music belongs to. If you like the music, what difference does it really make what you call it? I’m sure it’s confusing if you get the feeling that you’re not supposed to like a particular band because it doesn’t qualify that ‘correct’ genre.
CV: How would you describe the current state of the music business considering we are now living in a COVID aware, and maybe even feared world? Have things drastically changed long-term for artists and bands given the recent pandemic? What are your thoughts?
Jake: The music business, as well many other businesses, is at the moment of course in a state of emergency…especially people like event organizers and audio rental companies that might find it very difficult to find anything to replace the normal activities, are in trouble. Even artists who still have radio play or streaming gigs certainly have suffered financial losses. On the other hand, the situation has forced many people to rethink their business which might have some positive consequences in the future. Nobody knows how long the situation will eventually last but I’m sure one day things will get more or less back to normal. How this kind of tragedy affects, especially lonely people and people who haven’t been in a very good place to start with, is also huge and I think the final consequences will only be realized after some time.
CV: What do you feel makes your band and its particular approach to songwriting work? What keeps the band together and making music?
Jake: For me it’s very difficult to see music as ‘just another hobby’. This means that making music is not really a choice for me but something that I just have to do and try to live with. I’m pretty sure it’s the similar dedication of the other members and also the kind of belief that there is something really important cooking that keeps the band together. I think the core part of the band’s writing is Riitu’s undeniable talent, her being the main writer, but also the kind of attitude that in the beginning we didn’t ‘try’ to do anything but we just did whatever felt right and natural.
CV: On a more global view, how do you see your band’s music and songwriting separating itself from just being another Heavy Metal act?
Jake: There have been and there are so many great bands in existence that I think it’s quite an impossible requirement to be able to positively separate yourself from all the music that has ever been written. I believe that staying true to yourself and your unique personality is the thing that’s enough to make your music original. On the other hand, I don’t really see music as a competition but rather a form of communication. Music is the universal language that can be used to make your emotions and thoughts “visible’” Some clever person has said that you better be yourself because all the other positions have already been taken. One thing that perhaps separates us a little bit from some other Metal bands is that we try not to restrict ourselves but try to take advantage of whatever plays in our head even if it’s some influences outside Metal music.
CV: Can an artist truly be unique? Some would argue there is no such thing as being unique; that it’s nothing more than a compounding of influences making an artist who or what they are. Would this then say that artists today are destined to be just copies of those who have already come to pass?
Jake: The only way to be unique is to be true to who you are. You need to take your whole life experience and pour that into your music; make your life and personality be out in the open to be heard. Influences or even clichés are nothing to be avoided. Whatever music you have ever heard is your own taste and perspective of music that needs to be heard in your own music, too. Even copying or let’s say ‘covering’ is totally fine as long as you can add something to make that thing original and refurbished and of course give credits to the original artist.
CV: Are there life lessons to learn being in a Heavy Metal band that you feel cannot be taught elsewhere? If so, what are they?
Jake: Making Metal music or whatever music is definitely not for everybody. Somebody else might get the same fulfillment from other things like jogging or fishing or skydiving. In that sense making the music is not any more important than something else but it is just very important to me. What I have learnt is that your greatest obstacles in life are the ones that you set for yourself. Removing these inner obstacles enables you then to do things that you never thought would be possible for you. There is usually so much more potential in people than they believe themselves.
CV: What do you feel makes someone a “rock star”? Does being a rock star automatically make one iconic or are the two completely different in your opinion?
Jake: For starters I don’t think the ‘rock star’ title is something that you can proclaim for yourself but it is given you by people when you deserve it. Of course you can behave like a rock star but that doesn’t really make you anything more than you already are. I think a genuine rock star is made of the right attitude, dedication and talent. I think a prerequisite for being ‘iconic’ is that you have been able to accomplish music that will basically live forever.
CV: What's next for you? What can fans expect to see coming as the world looks to surmount a new normal laced with a load of restrictions?
Jake: The quarantine restrictions came for us in an inconvenient time since we were really hoping to get out to play after the long hard working period with the album. So we are definitely waiting eagerly to get the gigging going on again and I’m sure the concerts will eventually get back to quite normal. At the same time we have been preparing a new music video for a song called “Broken” as well as demoing a song that’s going to be our next single.
CV: Thank you again for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. It was a pleasure. I wish you all the best and continued success.
Jake: Thank you very much for the opportunity! The pleasure is ours and we hope for you all the best as well!
Check out
Velvet Ocean at:
Official: http://www.velvetoceanband.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/velvetoceanband/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VelvetOceanOfcl
Official: http://www.velvetoceanband.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/velvetoceanband/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VelvetOceanOfcl
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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.
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