Saturday, December 28, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Dali, then and now
Released in the year of my birth, found by me almost two decades later. My first contact with the band was through this song and for one reason or another my mind was receptive and approved of what the ears perceived. In many of their songs, I cannot but marvel at how well Kim Deal's bass lines and David Lovering's drumming work together. The end result is very complete and wholesome, would be even without the guitars and vocals.
Lack of lyrics, however, would be a sad thing, for in many cases they are what make me return to this music. For only a glimpse at Un Chien Andalou during a lecture was needed for this to start playing in my head. Little did the 16-year-old me know that one day I might even sport a moustache resembling that of one Salvador.
Every morning upon awakening, I experience a supreme pleasure:
that of being Me
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
One and the stars
I spent Monday the 12th of August disassembling the main stage of Jurassic rock. I was already quite worn out from almost a week of working at the festival and before the end of the long day there were a bit too many slips and close calls. The work itself was rewarding, however, and the co-workers some of the best I know. Even at times when the skies ruptured with pouring rain and thunder and we were soaking wet, the air was filled with bad jokes and hysterical laughter.
When the workday finally drew to a close, we ventured to the shoreside sauna to enjoy some beverages and relax in the warmth of the löyly. Spirits were high, jokes were shared and songs of black humor sung. Later in the night, as I was going swimming, I noticed that all the dark clouds of rain and thunder had dissipated, leaving the late summer sky clear and filled with stars. This was something I had hoped for, because that very night held something special in store for the observant ones.
As I floated in the calm waters of lake Saimaa, straining to spread my field of vision as wide as it could go, I took in the millions of stars and planets shining across the vast gulfs of emptiness that we call space. At times, this grand fabric was painted upon by the comet Swift-Tuttle's tail particles, which left fine white lines as they burned their way through our atmosphere.
There I was, a fluke of probabilities, a tiny, semi-conscious blob of stardust, floating, breathing and witnessing a celestial event, the Perseids. The universe is vast and we are blind and deaf to most of it's beauty. Let us enjoy the fraction that we are able to sense during our brief visit.
Thoughts such as these make me return to a band that explores the what-ifs and maybes of the universe through songs inspired by science fiction films: Star One.
When the workday finally drew to a close, we ventured to the shoreside sauna to enjoy some beverages and relax in the warmth of the löyly. Spirits were high, jokes were shared and songs of black humor sung. Later in the night, as I was going swimming, I noticed that all the dark clouds of rain and thunder had dissipated, leaving the late summer sky clear and filled with stars. This was something I had hoped for, because that very night held something special in store for the observant ones.
As I floated in the calm waters of lake Saimaa, straining to spread my field of vision as wide as it could go, I took in the millions of stars and planets shining across the vast gulfs of emptiness that we call space. At times, this grand fabric was painted upon by the comet Swift-Tuttle's tail particles, which left fine white lines as they burned their way through our atmosphere.
There I was, a fluke of probabilities, a tiny, semi-conscious blob of stardust, floating, breathing and witnessing a celestial event, the Perseids. The universe is vast and we are blind and deaf to most of it's beauty. Let us enjoy the fraction that we are able to sense during our brief visit.
Thoughts such as these make me return to a band that explores the what-ifs and maybes of the universe through songs inspired by science fiction films: Star One.
Friday, August 2, 2013
To outer space!
Let's start with some music that very nicely expresses in sound the endless abysses of space between celestial bodies:
Now, I've been bitten by a fly... a sci-fi-fly at that. After staying away from new fiction authors for almost two years, I decided to fill in some gaps in my knowledge. I was torn between Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game series, Iain M. Banks' the Culture series and Stephen Baxter's Xeelee Sequence. I had always been a big fan of Ursula K. Le Guin's approach to the cultural and social aspects of societies in a science-fiction setting. After some pondering I ended up starting with Card's "Ender's Game", in part because of it's brevity and also because I really wanted to read the next book, "Speaker for the Dead", but wanted to follow the series in the order the books were published.
So, I devoured the short book with enthusiasm, enjoying Card's plain, almost barren style of telling the story of Ender's youth. I finished the book while travelling, but that didn't stop me from purchasing the sequel with my kindle and continuing without a pause. The reason why I was so interested in "Speaker for the Dead" was that it dealt greatly with sociology and anthropology. One of the questions that persisted throughout the book was how can you study and be in contact with a society (or an individual!), without affecting it and in turn being affected by it and to what extent are impartiality and objectivity objectives that should be pursued. I was also eager to know how Card's imagination and creativity compared to Le Guin's when it came to giving birth to new species and their societies. I was not disappointed and at times I couldn't help but remember the time when I was reading "The Word for World Is Forest" for the first time, even if the approaches and styles of writing were very different.
Before I started reading the series, I hadn't even noticed that a film adaptation of "Ender's Game" is coming out this year. I'm trying hard not get too excited, but at the very least, based on the trailer, we're in for an audiovisual treat. And for the first time since he last played Han Solo in 1983, I think they've actually found a fitting role for Harrison Ford.
Well, as had happened before, I gobbled up the book and was prepared to move right on to "Xenocide". I bought the book and read the first chapter, but for some reason I didn't feel the urge to go on quite yet. So I hopped over to Banks' "Consider Phlebas", the first book of the Culture series. The difference in style and setting was dramatic, but I managed to adapt and found myself enjoying the change. Even if Banks' story is more action packed, it also packs plenty of deeper meanings, some of which are expressed very bluntly.
Now, I've been bitten by a fly... a sci-fi-fly at that. After staying away from new fiction authors for almost two years, I decided to fill in some gaps in my knowledge. I was torn between Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game series, Iain M. Banks' the Culture series and Stephen Baxter's Xeelee Sequence. I had always been a big fan of Ursula K. Le Guin's approach to the cultural and social aspects of societies in a science-fiction setting. After some pondering I ended up starting with Card's "Ender's Game", in part because of it's brevity and also because I really wanted to read the next book, "Speaker for the Dead", but wanted to follow the series in the order the books were published.
So, I devoured the short book with enthusiasm, enjoying Card's plain, almost barren style of telling the story of Ender's youth. I finished the book while travelling, but that didn't stop me from purchasing the sequel with my kindle and continuing without a pause. The reason why I was so interested in "Speaker for the Dead" was that it dealt greatly with sociology and anthropology. One of the questions that persisted throughout the book was how can you study and be in contact with a society (or an individual!), without affecting it and in turn being affected by it and to what extent are impartiality and objectivity objectives that should be pursued. I was also eager to know how Card's imagination and creativity compared to Le Guin's when it came to giving birth to new species and their societies. I was not disappointed and at times I couldn't help but remember the time when I was reading "The Word for World Is Forest" for the first time, even if the approaches and styles of writing were very different.
Before I started reading the series, I hadn't even noticed that a film adaptation of "Ender's Game" is coming out this year. I'm trying hard not get too excited, but at the very least, based on the trailer, we're in for an audiovisual treat. And for the first time since he last played Han Solo in 1983, I think they've actually found a fitting role for Harrison Ford.
Well, as had happened before, I gobbled up the book and was prepared to move right on to "Xenocide". I bought the book and read the first chapter, but for some reason I didn't feel the urge to go on quite yet. So I hopped over to Banks' "Consider Phlebas", the first book of the Culture series. The difference in style and setting was dramatic, but I managed to adapt and found myself enjoying the change. Even if Banks' story is more action packed, it also packs plenty of deeper meanings, some of which are expressed very bluntly.
Experience as well as common sense indicated that the most reliable method of avoiding self-extinction was not to equip oneself with the means to accomplish it in the first place.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Against sleep
I'd heard "Get Lucky" from Daft Punk's latest album Random Access Memories on the radio a couple of times already, but on the way to and from Tuska a friend played a few other songs from the release. As a result, for the last days I have explored the album more thoroughly when I've needed something to listen to.
Today started with me making breakfast, brewing coffee and letting the brilliant sound-waves wake me up. I had the day off from work, so I got out to do some leisurely riding about. I ended up playing "Giorgio By Moroder" on repeat. After some time, I couldn't help but walk to the record store and buy the LP. I gave the whole record a go and since I've been listening to "Giorgio By Moroder" over and over again. I am absolutely stuck.
Those that know me know that I'm not a big fan of superlatives, but now I'm very close to saying that this is THE best track on the album and THE best track the band has ever made. Very, very close. Of course the album is full of other gems, such as the fitting final song, "Contact". For a long time that song will remind me of yesterday, when I went to check out a new apartment and more importantly, the people living there. Apparently all went well, and I should be moving there before autumn. I'm very excited, as my future roommates seemed relaxed and open and the place itself is terrific.
Now, "Giorgio By Moroder", just one more time before sleep... just one!
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Today started with me making breakfast, brewing coffee and letting the brilliant sound-waves wake me up. I had the day off from work, so I got out to do some leisurely riding about. I ended up playing "Giorgio By Moroder" on repeat. After some time, I couldn't help but walk to the record store and buy the LP. I gave the whole record a go and since I've been listening to "Giorgio By Moroder" over and over again. I am absolutely stuck.
Those that know me know that I'm not a big fan of superlatives, but now I'm very close to saying that this is THE best track on the album and THE best track the band has ever made. Very, very close. Of course the album is full of other gems, such as the fitting final song, "Contact". For a long time that song will remind me of yesterday, when I went to check out a new apartment and more importantly, the people living there. Apparently all went well, and I should be moving there before autumn. I'm very excited, as my future roommates seemed relaxed and open and the place itself is terrific.
Now, "Giorgio By Moroder", just one more time before sleep... just one!
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Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Agony of festivals
Tuska Open Air Metal Festival came and went. This summer it had to compete with Live Nation's Rock the Beach event, which was headlined by artists such as Rammstein, Green Day, 30 Seconds to Mars and Queens of the Stone Age. These might not be the bands of choice of the average Tuska-attendee, yet they were bound to drag away some of the less faithful and casual visitors. For many, King Diamond alone was cause enough to steer clear of the beach and dock in Suvilahti. Tuska's crowd met expectations at 25000 visitors (1000 less than last year), while Rock the Beach lured 51000 to the beach in Hietaniemi (6000 more than expected).
Such competition from large international entertainment companies might pose a problem for some of the younger Finnish festivals, Tuska among them. Not even the more experienced players in the field are safe, though. Already in Sweden, German based FKP Scorpio bought, uprooted and moved the traditional Hultsfred festival and organized a new Bråvalla festival, which just happened to be on the same weekend as Peace & Love. Unsurprisingly this drove down P&L ticket sales and the organizers had to file for bankruptcy. (Source/further reading for the Finnish speakers: Jarkko Jokelainen - Festivaalisota saapui länsirintamalle)
The summer festival market in Finland is rather bloated, with numerous smaller events and at least one larger 2- or 3-day festival taking place each weekend throughout the summer. Many of the festivals take place in smaller cities and give a welcome boost to local economies. Traditionally the ticket prices have been relatively low, which has enabled people to visit several festivals each summer. In recent years, ticket prices have taken a steep rise, mostly because of artists demanding larger payments.
This has led to people being more picky about which events they attend. Particularly younger folk can only find so much money to spend, especially when unemployment is still on the rise. In the same time, some festivals are extending from 2 to 3 days and billing more international big-name artists, in order to attract more potential customers. One of the festivals where I'm working this summer, Jurassic Rock, has done just this. I truly hope that the gamble pays off and the headlining bands, System of a Down, Devin Townsend Project and Pendulum (DJ set), are enough of a reason for people to venture to Visulahti in August.
All in all, having discussed the issue with several friends and acquaintances, I'd almost have to say that well planned, scheduled and executed two day festivals are the way to go. They are easier for the working folk to fit into their weekly schedule and usually cost less, assuming the artists aren't all big-names. It would also seem like there is plenty of room for smaller events specializing in certain genres. A good example is Hammer Open Air, which is being organized for the fourth time this year. Overall, it's a demanding market and with dark forces looming beyond Finland's national borders, just waiting for their chance to grab a bite, it is important that we support the events that we want to see organized also in the years to come.
On a personal level, Tuska went as smoothly as ever and as usual there were next to no disturbances. I was working at the gate all weekend and I must say that one of the positive things about moving to Suvilahti from Kaisaniemi is that the area outside the festival is more manageable and far less restless. After three years, I think that Suvilahti, with its industrial milieu, is a fitting home for the festival, even if some of the surrounding buildings do sometimes give an unappealing echo of the music being played. Many disagree with me, including some of my friends, who annually boycott the actual festival and hold a "shadow Tuska" in Kaisaniemi Park. Still, there were plenty of friends attending and many of them took it upon themselves to cheer up my workday by stopping on their way in or out.
Band-wise, I was able to catch glimpses of Kreator, Testament, Betrayal At Bespin (which I mentioned here), Von, Nightwish and, of course, King Diamond. Nightwish's two hour finale on Sunday was rather tiring and the pyrotechnics were quite sad, but on the other hand Floor Jansen's performance was top notch and I feel as though she just might be the best singer the band's ever had. Compared to Turunen, her voice has far more color and I enjoyed her stage presence more. King Diamond was, simply put, spectacular. The stage itself was epic, not to even mention the Kings performance. After Friday, I couldn't help but to whistle Black Horsemen for the rest of the weekend and on Monday when we we're taking the main stage and the rest of the festival area apart.
 |
| King Diamond's show in Tuska was aptly captured by my talented friend Maija Lahtinen. Click the picture to browse through more of her stunning work. |
The summer festival market in Finland is rather bloated, with numerous smaller events and at least one larger 2- or 3-day festival taking place each weekend throughout the summer. Many of the festivals take place in smaller cities and give a welcome boost to local economies. Traditionally the ticket prices have been relatively low, which has enabled people to visit several festivals each summer. In recent years, ticket prices have taken a steep rise, mostly because of artists demanding larger payments.
This has led to people being more picky about which events they attend. Particularly younger folk can only find so much money to spend, especially when unemployment is still on the rise. In the same time, some festivals are extending from 2 to 3 days and billing more international big-name artists, in order to attract more potential customers. One of the festivals where I'm working this summer, Jurassic Rock, has done just this. I truly hope that the gamble pays off and the headlining bands, System of a Down, Devin Townsend Project and Pendulum (DJ set), are enough of a reason for people to venture to Visulahti in August.
All in all, having discussed the issue with several friends and acquaintances, I'd almost have to say that well planned, scheduled and executed two day festivals are the way to go. They are easier for the working folk to fit into their weekly schedule and usually cost less, assuming the artists aren't all big-names. It would also seem like there is plenty of room for smaller events specializing in certain genres. A good example is Hammer Open Air, which is being organized for the fourth time this year. Overall, it's a demanding market and with dark forces looming beyond Finland's national borders, just waiting for their chance to grab a bite, it is important that we support the events that we want to see organized also in the years to come.
On a personal level, Tuska went as smoothly as ever and as usual there were next to no disturbances. I was working at the gate all weekend and I must say that one of the positive things about moving to Suvilahti from Kaisaniemi is that the area outside the festival is more manageable and far less restless. After three years, I think that Suvilahti, with its industrial milieu, is a fitting home for the festival, even if some of the surrounding buildings do sometimes give an unappealing echo of the music being played. Many disagree with me, including some of my friends, who annually boycott the actual festival and hold a "shadow Tuska" in Kaisaniemi Park. Still, there were plenty of friends attending and many of them took it upon themselves to cheer up my workday by stopping on their way in or out.
Band-wise, I was able to catch glimpses of Kreator, Testament, Betrayal At Bespin (which I mentioned here), Von, Nightwish and, of course, King Diamond. Nightwish's two hour finale on Sunday was rather tiring and the pyrotechnics were quite sad, but on the other hand Floor Jansen's performance was top notch and I feel as though she just might be the best singer the band's ever had. Compared to Turunen, her voice has far more color and I enjoyed her stage presence more. King Diamond was, simply put, spectacular. The stage itself was epic, not to even mention the Kings performance. After Friday, I couldn't help but to whistle Black Horsemen for the rest of the weekend and on Monday when we we're taking the main stage and the rest of the festival area apart.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Infinite
Night shifts are quite tolerable during the summer, at least here in Finland, where it never gets too dark. Usually I'm the most tired after 4 am, but that doesn't happen when the rising sun glares right at you. Today it painted the skyline a bright crimson and I was able to track its ascent for hours.
Thunder is on it's way. Not only does the forecast promise it, but the air has been heavy and the temperature remained over 20 degrees for the whole night. I wonder if I'll get home before the storm hits. It won't make much difference, though, as I wouldn't be getting more than a couple of hours of sleep anyway, before I must head for Helsinki. Tuska Open Air is this weekend and to honor one of the performing bands, here is a true kvlt classic.
Thunder is on it's way. Not only does the forecast promise it, but the air has been heavy and the temperature remained over 20 degrees for the whole night. I wonder if I'll get home before the storm hits. It won't make much difference, though, as I wouldn't be getting more than a couple of hours of sleep anyway, before I must head for Helsinki. Tuska Open Air is this weekend and to honor one of the performing bands, here is a true kvlt classic.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Legacy
Have to flip my sleeping rhythm for a single night shift. Luckily I've got the aid of some friends, a few beers, sauna and great music on my side.
This, with an Icelander singing along... priceless.
This, with an Icelander singing along... priceless.
Monday, June 24, 2013
On disappointments
Today at work I suddenly remembered that they were making a movie based on one of my very favorite books. Within a minute I knew that the movie had already come out earlier this year. Even though I knew I shouldn't, I continued by reading some reviews. As always, opinions clashed and many had a lot to say about the plot, the style, the cast. So many things were discussed, yet I found none that mentioned the relationship between the script and the original work of prose to a satisfying degree. Maybe this was for the best. I saved the trailer of the film till the evening, partly because I didn't want to watch it without sound at work.
I will watch the film once I get hold of it. I am prepared for the worst, as there is no way the masterful collection of words composed by Peter Bieri under his pseudonym, Pascal Mercier, can be successfully turned into a motion picture. Yet there is a small part in me that hopes that the film manages to capture at least some of the magic contained within the pages of Night Train To Lisbon.
"One who would really like to know himself would have to be a restless, fanatical collector of disappointments, and seeking disappointing experiences must be like an addiction, the all-determining addiction of his life, for it would stand so clearly before his eyes that disappointment is not a hot, destroying poison, but rather a cool, calming balm that opens our eyes to the real contours of ourselves."
I will watch the film once I get hold of it. I am prepared for the worst, as there is no way the masterful collection of words composed by Peter Bieri under his pseudonym, Pascal Mercier, can be successfully turned into a motion picture. Yet there is a small part in me that hopes that the film manages to capture at least some of the magic contained within the pages of Night Train To Lisbon.
"One who would really like to know himself would have to be a restless, fanatical collector of disappointments, and seeking disappointing experiences must be like an addiction, the all-determining addiction of his life, for it would stand so clearly before his eyes that disappointment is not a hot, destroying poison, but rather a cool, calming balm that opens our eyes to the real contours of ourselves."
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Laundry
Guess what will spin under the needle today as I do some laundry. This year is too full of awesome releases...
Monday, June 17, 2013
Instincts
Provinssirock, check. I was pretty much glued to one single stage for the whole weekend because of work, but luckily Hexvessel, Solstafir and Domovoyd performed right there. Ended up listening to random music after we'd closed yesterday. This came up and I thought it deserved a post.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Craft of the witch
I was introduced to Witchcraft sometime in 2009 when I was dragged to their gig (quite willingly, as they were playing with Graveyard and Pharaoh Overlord). I was initially struck by their varied sound and songs, ranging from more traditional rock ballads to crushing doom riffs, all fittingly accompanied by the voice of Magnus Pelander. Of course, the influences of a band that was first formed just as a one-off Pentagram tribute were quite obvious and distinctly part of their music, but since their formative years they had truly found a sound of their own. To provide a brief look into their past, here are two songs from that 2009 gig that really stuck in my head. One is actually their first own composition from 2002 and the other is from their third album The Alchemist, 2007:
After a rather long break, some line-up changes and a definite evolution of their sound, the band released a new album last year that I missed completely. Luckily a friend reminded me of the band's existence with a well-placed link and I was able to relive the feelings I had when I first heard them live. Be spellbound:
After a rather long break, some line-up changes and a definite evolution of their sound, the band released a new album last year that I missed completely. Luckily a friend reminded me of the band's existence with a well-placed link and I was able to relive the feelings I had when I first heard them live. Be spellbound:
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Back to basics
I'm just returning from my first trip to Helsinki since the short overnight stay on my way back from DC. The only music I've really listened to during these last couple of days was at the gig of Café de Abejas yesterday. The show was amazing, something I can't really put it to words. Because of the setting (studio of Reunanen Photography), you really just would've had to be there to understand. It was the first time I heard them play with percussion and cello added to the mix and it worked really well. The event was filmed, stay tuned for a live video sometime in the future.
Just now, sitting in the train I realized that I actually have my headphones with me and I had to tune to something. Looking at some of the music I've stored on my Google music library, I found an album by an artist that I should have mentioned a long time ago. It's actually a shame I didn't have this playing while I was pedaling away on the streets of Helsinki, in the beautiful spring sunlight reflected by the thawing ice and snow.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Set your goals aside
I have, for one reason or another, moved back to posting inspiring and current songs on Facebook. I don't think this is a good development, because posts over there are easily forgotten and even more easily missed or ignored. I'll try to do something about this...
During an English course that is bound to finish tomorrow (today, actually. I guess I should head to bed soon) we have discussed goal-setting and how people set goals. There was a lot of talk about the difference between short-term and long-term goals. Some also compared goals to dreams. I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before, but I haven't been able to distinguish any clear-cut personal dreams for a long time. I can't remember if I had any in the past. Without dreams, it is quite hard to set any long-term goals. For now, I have no other option than to live in the present and set these goals aside. I don't find my existence meaningless, though. After all, life is a journey and as Geddy Lee sings, "the point of a journey is not to arrive".
During an English course that is bound to finish tomorrow (today, actually. I guess I should head to bed soon) we have discussed goal-setting and how people set goals. There was a lot of talk about the difference between short-term and long-term goals. Some also compared goals to dreams. I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before, but I haven't been able to distinguish any clear-cut personal dreams for a long time. I can't remember if I had any in the past. Without dreams, it is quite hard to set any long-term goals. For now, I have no other option than to live in the present and set these goals aside. I don't find my existence meaningless, though. After all, life is a journey and as Geddy Lee sings, "the point of a journey is not to arrive".
Friday, January 25, 2013
Eissssaatana pojat :D
My reaction to this video is not something you can translate. Literally, when properly spelled, it would mean "No Satan boys", but that means absolutely nothing. Remember when I mentioned Constantine? Well, the boys just made a commercial for their merc and upcoming tour. It's a parody of the style of a nordic men's clothing company Dressmann. See for yourselves.
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