L 60° - "100% about Rock'n Roll" in the name of God

ImageL 60° sind hierzulande ein noch recht unbeschriebenes Blatt im Gegensatz zu einigen anderen finnischen Bands, aber sie haben ihren eigenen rockigen Sound und Charme. Nach Deutschland kommen sie gerne mal auf Stippvisite, so wie letztens im Rahmen der Kirchentage in Köln. Hier zeigt sich der Bezug zum Glauben, was man in der Rockmusik sicherlich so nicht unbedingt explizit findet. Zeit für unruhr, mal nachzufragen, was L 60° eigentlich sonst noch so zu erzählen haben. Zu dem folgenden Interview erklärte sich Sänger Olli Helenius freundlicherweise per E-mail bereit.

Mostly you have gigs in Finland.You came to Germany for an only 20-minute performance. How did it come to this? Which experiences did you have in Germany?
WE WERE BOOKED BY OUR FRIEND WILLY WHO DOES BOOKINGS IN GERMANY FOR US. SO WE TRAVEL FEW TIMES A YEAR TO GERMANY, AND TOTALLY LOVE IT EVERYTIME. LIKE THE GIG IN KÖLN, IT WAS SHORT TIME BUT WE STILL WANTED TO DO IT, SINCE WE KNEW THERE WOULD BE LOT OF PEOPLE.

In Germany we know some Finnish bands (e.g. The Rasmus, Negative, HIM, Apocalyptica, Lovex). Where do you see your position in the Finnish music scene (concerning style and degree of being known outside Finland, etc.)?
WELL, MYSPACE HAS HELPED US A LOT. WE ARE STILL PRETTY UNKNOWN BAND. WE SOUND LIKE A FINNISH BAND, BUT NOT LIKE ANY OF THE BANDS THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED.. SO WE ARE JUST GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO OUR THING... SINCE WE DON'T DO THIS FOR SUCCESS ANYWAYS :)

Have you made or planned projects or concerts with other of these Finnish bands?

NO, WE HAVEN'T.

You played at the “Power of love” Festival in Cologne , organized by the church. What comes to your mind when you hear this motto? What was the festival and the atmosphere there like?

WE ALL BELIEVE IN GOD, SO IT'S NOTHING NEW TO US TO PLAY ON A VENUE ORGANIZED BY CHURCH. AND WE DO BELIEVE THE POWER OF GOD'S LOVE. AND AS FAR AS THE VENUE THE ATMOSPHERE AND PEOPLE WERE GREAT!!

I feel that Finnish music often has some melancholic undertones. Why do you think it is like that?
IT'S THE DARKNESS THAT SURROUNDS US MOST OF THE YEAR THAT MAKES US CREATE DARK SOUNDS :)

ImageIn this context, could you explain the title of your album “Feel nothing”?
THE WHOLE ALBUM IS ABOUT STORIES OF TODAYS PEOPLE AND WHAT THEY ARE LIKE... AND THE COVER ART AND THE TITLE " FEEL NOTHING" SUMS IT UP. MODERN DAY PEOPLE HAS EXPERIENCED EVERYTHING, SO IT'S HARD FOR THEM TO FEEL ANYTHING... THAT'S WHY IT'S TITLED " FEEL NOTHING".

From your perspective: what are L 60°’s songs and lyrics about? What’s your message?
LIKE I JUST MENTIONED THEY ARE ABOUT PEOPLE. THE LYRICS ARE ALSO LIKE MY DIARY, SO THERE'S LOT OF SONGS ABOUT MY OWN STRUGGLES, JOYS, SORROWS, DISSAPPOINTMENTS ETC... BUT I DO BELIEVE IN GOD, SO THERE'S ALSO HOPE BEHIND ALL THESE LYRICS.

Is music the main occupation of your band members or have you got any jobs in addition or learned other professions?

YES, WE ARE 100% ABOUT ROCK'N ROLL!! SO OF US STUDY MUSIC, BUT THAT'S ABOUT IT.

Over here Finland is known for sauna culture. Is this only a cliché or could you give us some good pieces of expert advice (not being too personal of course ;-) ?
I THINK THE BEST THING IS SAUNA MAKING YOU FEEL RELAXED... IT SOUNDS GRAZY, BUT AFTER BEING IN SAUNA I NEVER FEEL STRESSED OR MAD... AND OF COURSE U HAVE TO BE TOTALLY NUDE WHEN GETTING IN :)

You are about 10 degrees latitude further up north from us. Could you describe what a typical winter’s day in Finland is like?

HERE IN HELSINKI IT'S CLOUDY AND THE TEMPERATURE IS A BIT UNDER ZERO CELSIUS... BUT IF YOU DRIVE UP NORTH FROM HELSINKI FEW HOURS, THEN IT'S A DIFFERENT BALLGAME.. TONS OF SNOW AND THE WEATHER IS LOT COLDER.

Could you please leave us a message in Finnish (plus translation)?
HYVÄÄ KESÄÄ KAIKILLE ( HAVE A GOOD SUMMER SEASON U ALL! )
I KNOW THAT'S KIND OF LAME, BUT DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE IN MIND :)


What are your future plans for the rest of 2007 ?

RIGHT NOW THERE'S A TOUR PLAN TO TOUR THE USA AND RELEASE THE ALBUM THERE.... SO THERE WILL BE SOON MORE INFO POSTED WHEN THINGS GET CONFIRMED.
CHEERS,
OLLI

Thanks a lot!
 

Links:
CD-Review “Feel Nothing“

www.myspace.com/l60

-Lady Reason-