Interview with Bassist Pasi Tanskanen of Amorta
By Mick Michaels
COSMICK
VIEW: Hello! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some
time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.
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?
Pasi
Tanskanen: I think they are really fanatic in especially South America but
maybe not alone about heavy metal but that too. Apart from that I don't really
know any major differences. Well people in Scandinavia don't buy albums as they
do in Germany for example!
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?
Pasi
Tanskanen: I think heavy metal is pretty much mother of all metal sub genres
and with that it's the least specific and therefore the most versatile. That's
one thing what I love about it...it gives more freedom to move with the song
writing than maybe power metal or some other genres. I'm not really big fan of
categorizing music too much anyway and just wanna write whatever comes up
without too much thinking of what I should be doing. Maybe I try to avoid
writing some types of things but the most important
thing is a good song that’s full of good parts…that
fits together and forms a story with the lyrics.
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?
Pasi
Tanskanen: I don't wanna think too much about the genres but instead just write
what sounds and feels great. Let the media and fans call the music what they
like. Of course some categorizing helps newer bands so that potential fans can
find them more easily if they are doing let’s say thrash metal and that's what
you wanna be listening so after you hear about a new thrash sensation you might
wanna check them out.
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?
Pasi
Tanskanen: I'm just happy bands have started touring again after COVID. It's
really hard to say how it might have affected on music business but hoping not
to see new pandemics anytime soon. Music business in general especially in
metal nowadays as it's not that mainstream, it's really, really hard for new
bands to make it to the point where they earn their living with music. I'd like
to think that good music and good product of a whole band should carry a long
way with some hard work but today I'm not really sure if it's even possible for
underground bands to find themselves headlining a big venue after 5-10 years of
hard work.
CV: What do you feel makes your band and its particular approach to songwriting
work? What keeps the band together and making music?
Pasi
Tanskanen: I think there can be something for many listeners in our music and
like I already mentioned I want to write many kind of songs, fast, mid tempo,
epic and atmospheric, in-your-face riffs, catchy choruses, beautiful melodies
and so on.
So far I've written all the material but I would love to collaborate with Haba
later in song writing!
I think it's the passion for real old-school heavy metal and good songs! Of
course all the comments on the songs from the fans goes a long way!
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?
Pasi
Tanskanen: Yea I don't think many bands do this kind of music nowadays...maybe
a lot of bands used to do this kind of NWOBHM type of music in the 80s and even
90s but not anymore really. We are influenced by some of the acts from that
time but of course our music comes through our pens and is always a fresh take
on a classic era of heavy metal. Also our songs kick some fuckin’ ass!
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?
Pasi
Tanskanen: For me personally the whole thing with being unique is something
nowhere near as important as good music is! You can't force to be unique too
much but you can keep your song-writing standard up and high! Of course the sum
of all the members in the band is always sort of unique but I don't feel like
one should try to hide the influences either. So not all can be that unique but
should one even pursue being that. It doesn't mean we are copies of something
if we are influenced by them.
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?
Pasi
Tanskanen: Band life and touring is not for everyone. Sometimes it might mean
that in the same band there is one who wants to go to the moon and one who has
already achieved everything he or she wishes and is not hungry for more. These
2 individuals can be good friends but the future of the band might need them to
part ways. The friendship can still carry on hopefully!
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?
Pasi
Tanskanen: This can probably mean very different things for different people. I
guess the traditional concept of a rock star would include great stage presence,
great skills on the instrument he/she plays and at least some success with music.
For me I'm more into down to earth guys than cocky assholes! Rock star should
always really own the stage and kick ass in there!
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?
Pasi Tanskanen: There's
gonna be some new music out later this year! Meanwhile we are writing new songs
and hope to release our debut album as soon as possible!
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.
Check out Amorta at:
https://www.facebook.com/amortaband
https://www.instagram.com/amortaband
The Cosmick View
Where the stars always shine bright
www.thecosmickview.com
www.facebook.com/TheCosmickView
www.thecosmickvoice.com
www.anchor.fm/the-cosmick-voice
Spiritual Counseling and Sessions Available
www.pamelaaloia.com
 |
| The Cosmick Voice Music, Talk & Nothing But Business www.facebook.com/TheCosmickVoice |
Family owned & operated - Made in the USA
www.blackbeltammunition.com
Want to see your logo here? Contact The Cosmick View for details and rates.
Comments
Post a Comment