Interview with Mikael "Routa" Karlbom
Introducing Finntroll
Vreth - Vocals - Joined the band 2007
Routa - Guitar - Joined the band 2003
Skrymer - Guitar - Original member
Trollhorn - Keyboards / Guitar - Original member
Tundra - Bass - Original member
Beast Dominator - Drums - Original member
Virta - Keyboards - Joined the Band as session member in 2006, nowadays fulltime troll
How did you come about obtaining the band name?
There are a lot of stories going around about how the band came to be called Finntroll. It kinda depends on who you ask about it. My personal favourite is this; Ages ago, when there was still Vikings around, Swedish Vikings came to explore Finnish shores and encountered a horde of vicious and furious men. They were attacked by these vile natives and were driven off from Finnish shores. The Swedish Viking leader wrote in his journal what they had encountered and in his journal he called the native Finnish as 'Finntrolls' (Finnish trolls), as he was convinced that they must have encountered trolls, as no men could be so vicious and primal. So when Finntroll was formed, we figured out that the name sits with our music pretty damn well. So the band was called Finntroll.
How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard you before?
Our music is very raw, primal and vivid. It has lot of black metal elements mixed with soundtrack-like orchestral parts and some Scandinavian folk elements. Throw in some steel drums, kazoos, 70's pop-rock and punk and you're getting pretty close to what Finntroll sounds like... at the moment.
What one thing do you feel sets you apart from the rest in this genre?
Well first of all we don't think that we're a part of any particular genre. This whole genre mess is something that labels and media just have to do. We have always played music without thinking if it fitting folk metal or black metal or any metal genre at all. We always try to push ourselves forward musically. We always try to take one step further with what we can do or what we can mix in to our music so that our next album is always different to the previous ones. And I think that makes us pretty different from the rest. We don't try to fit in any genre nor do we try to do any kind of music in particular. Hell, we're Finntroll not another folk metal band! Hehe...
DISCOGRAPHY
|
|
Nifelvind
Album 2010
|
 |
|
Ur Jordens Djup
Album 2007
|
 |
|
Nattfödd
Album 2004
|
 |
|
Trollhammaren
EP 2004
|
 |
|
Visor Om Slutet
EP 2003
|
 |
|
Jaktens Tid
Album 2001
|
 |
|
Midnattens Widunder
Album 1999
|
 |
|
Rivfader
Demo 1997
|
 |
I really like the Visor Om Slutet EP. Each time I hear it I feel like I am sitting around a campfire, having a drink with a few mates. It is so relaxing and yet uplifting and fun! Is this how you meant it to be? Or was that at all similar to the setting of how you came up with the songs for the album?
Well, I think there is no right way to "feel" music. If you find it fun and relaxing, then just go for it. That's one thing I like about music, nobody can tell you what to feel or think when you listen to music, it's all between you and music. It's something very personal. Although I have to tell you that those songs on that EP are songs about the ending of everything. Hehe...
How long did it take to record Nifelvind? And is there any particular message you are trying to relay to your audience with this album?
If my memory serves me correct, I think the recording part took two weeks and mixing took another two weeks, but anyway it was something around one month. No, there's no particular message for the audience. We never wanted to go and mix music with a personal view of life or death. Not to mention to do something political with music. No way! That's not us!
I understand you recorded this album through Century Media. Do you think record companies actually make the recording process any easier for bands?
Well, we actually recorded the album first and then got the deal with CM, Hehe... But sure, we had talked with them beforehand and had an agreement that they will sign us. I don't see that a deal with a label is a necessity for bands, but financially it makes things possible. There are not many bands, us included, that would have the money to record albums without support from the label.
You've made two videos that I've found for this album thus far. Who created the concept for Solsagan and what was the story you were trying to relay in this clip? And who was your leading lady?
The concept for Solsagan was made by us, but the concept that ended up on video is definitely not that. I really don't know what happened with the company we made this video with, but they really fucked it up big time! I have no fucking idea what they are trying to say with this video! This was the first time we didn't do our videos by ourselves, and this is what happens. A shitty video with no story in it at all! I can't remember the girls name. I think she was a friend of the director or something.
Who did the animation in Under Bergets Rot? And does the story in this clip represent in any way how you perceive the metal scene in Finland to be like?
It was made by a couple of friends of ours. We were actually on tour when this video was made. We gave them a script that was pretty shady and told them to come up with something. Hehe... We didn't have the money to do another video because of that bullshit that happened with the Solsagan video. Yet we had promised to give two videos to the label so we decided to go animation. Anyway, they did a good job and the video turned out to be pretty funky. And no, it really is not about the metal-scene in Finland, although that would be cool if it did remind me of anything similiar as in that video. Haha...
Which would be your favourite Finntroll video clip to date and why?
My favourite must be Nedgång. Even though we ran out of money while doing it, it actually works pretty well. It has the right atmosphere and there's actually a good story in it if you can read between the lines.
Who's responsible for the bands artwork?
Most of the artwork for band is made by Skrymer, our guitarist. We all contribute ideas and he puts them on paper. I think most of the inspiration comes from Scandinavian art and mythology, but made to fit with Finntroll.
When you go into recording mode, do you find it easy or challenging?
I find it very, very challenging. It is very hard to tell when a song is actually ready. It feels that you could add stuff to it endlessly with some sound here and some sound there; it's an endless loop of trial and error. And it even continues in studio as well. Especially with us as we don't want to use outside producers. That means that there would be seven different opinions with seven different guys. That's a mess!
How hard has it been to get to this point?
When a band has been around for over a decade you can be pretty sure it has not been easy. We have had lots of fights, lots of obstacles and what not, but we're still here.
Where does your main fan base / support tend to lie?
I think most of our fans are from central Europe, but then again, it's there we have toured the most. Now it also seems that we're getting a good fan base in North America and I hope we're getting a couple fans from Australia after this tour as well. Hehe...
Can you recall a favourite venue?
One of my all time favourites is Z7 in Switzerland. It's got good food, good stage and good fans.
What are some of your favourite Australian or local acts? And have you had the chance to play alongside them?
We haven't had a chance to play with any Australian bands which is a shame, but maybe that will change soon. Hehe...
After a live performance do you tend to go and hang out with the fans or do you prefer to keep to yourself?
We always try to hang out with fans. Well, at least me (Routa) and Vreth do before and after the show. But usually after the show all the places are closed, venues are empty and we're hurrying to get to the next place. But if we have time, then we hang out. Usually we can be found at the bar or merch stand. Haha...
What would be your most memorable gig / performance to date?
I probably have to go with Wacken a couple of years ago. We played on the main stage in front of 60,000 people. That was quite surreal.
Have you got a favourite song you like to play? And is there one in particular your fans seem to prefer?
We really don't have any favourite to play, but it seems that all the fans always wants to hear Trollhammaren. We don't. Hehe...
If you created your own metal festival, who would you prefer was playing alongside you and where would that be?
Some paradise island somewhere in the pacific and I could listen to... hmm... this one is pretty hard... Actually, on paradise island I couldn't care less who's playing!
What kind of instruments do you use?
Esp and Fernandes guitars. Mesa amps. That's it.
What have been some of the more bizarre signings you've had?
I really haven't signed anything really weird, which is a shame actually. There was a lady in Switzerland who wanted us to sign her car...
Can you please brief my readers about the Finnish troll legends?
Not really...you really can't brief them. I wouldn't know where to start. Just google them or better yet, go to a library where there's real books. Hehe...
What was the main reason you chose this career path and has it turned out as expected?
This really wasn't planned or anything, we just played music and now we're lucky enough to travel around the world and play it.
Let's pretend you were creating a tour survival guide. What would be your top three tips for surviving a long tour with the band?
Don't eat the yellow snow.
Don't eat the brown snow.
Just don't.
From all the places you've been able to travel to, have you come across any which you'd consider a good holiday destination?
There are many of them! The world is filled with awesome places; Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico, Iceland... you name it!
What words of advice can you offer anyone looking to enter the music industry?
Go for something else other than artist as we're the only ones who don't get paid.
Anything you'd like to add or say to your fans?
See ya soon mates!
LINKS
Finntroll Website
Finntroll Myspace
Finntroll Facebook
Finntroll Twitter
Finntroll YouTube
Century Media
'Interview with Finntroll' by Déa di Morté © 13 March 2011
Hails! to Mikael Karlbom for agreeing to participate and taking the time to complete this interview
All pictures courtesy of Jarmo Katila, Soundworks Touring, Finntroll and Century Media