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The return of a rare species
Interview by Lars / ragazzi, translated by Andrea Kapavik
It's been about five years since the Finnish cult-group Waltari released their last album. It almost seemed that the days of the band's existence were counted. But on the 1st of March 2004 their new record "Rare Species" will come to light. And that will happen, apart from the drummer Mika Järveläinen, with the original team. Good reason therefore, to call guitar player Sami Yli Sirniö, who talked from a bar in Helsinki and was in a quite good mood.
ragazzi: "Waltari vanished from the scene for some time. Why was it that way and what have you done during this time?"
Sami: "We had problems to get a new record contract. As we finally had a deal at a Swedish label it was a complete flop. Then we had to find a new drummer, that also took some time. But in the meantime we all somehow made music. In 2001 we performed our Death-Metal-ballet at the Finnish opera. Our singer Kärtsy Hatakka wrote the score for a computer game. I played with Kreator, what I still do moreover."
ragazzi: "Do you think that it will be hard after these years to excite the old Waltari-fans and to gain new ones?
Sami: "I quite think that it will be hard. I just hope that the few people, who actually know us, still remember us (laughs). But the single of the new album, "One Day", was quite successfull. In Finland it's often played on the radio. Probably we will also succeed in Germany. Therefore, of course we have to perform again."
ragazzi: "So there will be a tour?"
Sami: "Yes. In April. But exact dates don't exist yet. Everyone who's interested in will find them on our website waltari.de."
ragazzi: "What has changed about the sound of Waltari?"
Sami: "Not that much. In my opinion, the new record sounds alike the records "Big Bang" or "So Fine" or "Radium Round". But it's hard for me to compare that. For that, I haven't the necessitate distance. Many people think that the record goes back to the Waltari-roots."
ragazzi: "For myself, it reminds me partly of the 80s-Metal."
Sami: "Well, that I hear for the first time (laughs)."
ragazzi: "The songs are in any case very melodic."
Sami: "That's right."
ragazzi: "You've recorded an interesting cover-version: "No Limits" of 2 Unlimited - originally a real dance-number. How about the idea for that?
Sami: "We've performed the song already years ago. That was just a nonsense joke but always very funny. Finally we've tried the song in the studio and it sounded much better than live in the past. And since the original is in the meantime also old enough we've decided to put it on the record. But it remains a stupid song... (laughs)."
ragazzi: "... which live surely also works nowadays..."
Sami: "After all it's a song which everybody knows. Also for someone who has never seen Waltari before. But we've already had cover-versions on our last records. For instance a Metal-version of Madonnas "Vogue", one of The Cures "A Forest" and a Grind-Core-version of "Help" by The Beatles."
ragazzi: "Quite a wide range of covered songs. What are you listening to privately and what are your sources of inspiration?"
Sami: "Of very much. I've a lot of CDs and vinyl records at home. There, you will find all different genres. But mostly it's Metal or Punk."
ragazzi: "Finnish bands have always been very popular and successful in Germany. You were one of the first among these Finnish bands at the beginning of the Nineties. At present it's HIM, Apocalyptica or The 69 Eyes. Have these bands profit from Waltari?"
Sami: "I don't know. The music of HIM or Apocalyptica is good anyway, they would be successful also without us. But it's quite right, we have been well-known in Germany before their time. But I wouldn't attach too much importance to this. After all it's not so important where a band comes from."
ragazzi: "But do you believe that you could profit from the success of these bands for your comeback in reward?"
Sami: "Yes, I hope that of course. But do people in Germany really think that everything is okay what comes from Finland (laughs)? In any case, Finnish bands sell a lot of records over there."
ragazzi: "Do Finnish Rock-musicians know each other? Are there friendships?"
Sami: "Yes. The guys from Apocalyptica were involved in our record "Space Avenue" from 1997 in three songs. The people from HIM I know quite good as well. Unfortunately we see each other hardly ever because they are touring all the time."
ragazzi: "What do you wish for 2004?"
Sami: "Success for our music, of course."
ragazzi: "Have you still a message for your old and new Waltari-fans in Germany for today?"
Sami: "Oh, I'm not prepared for that question... (laughs). Well, buy the record!"
ragazzi: "Thank you very much for the interview."
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