Interviews

1 - I must confess that Aarni is not only an excellent band, but a creative band, we can easily see that it is not like the most part of the bands which do this kind of metal. Aarni is innovated and with a lot of interesting things to show us not only about the music, but about the art. What do you think about it? Do not you think that Aarni has some differential?

MW: Well, why intentionally copy other bands or styles? I can't see any point in that, even if it is done in "homage" to your favourite band. When I first started to write my own music I and everyone I knew considered it important to have an original style. But I guess the "differential" in Aarni comes from composing, playing and selecting the artwork etc. with serendipity...everything seems to fall in place spontaneously. We just go with the flow... I think it is a pity that most bands appear to be afraid(?) to show their own personal ideas and style, instead opting for a pathetic conformity.

2 - Tell me about Bathos. How was the release and the recording?! Was it difficult to do?

MW: The most difficult part was to draw the hieroglyphic lyrics of 'Niut Net Meru' - the recording felt pretty easy, perhaps because I don't think I am a perfectionist. I don't care if a recorded part sounds slightly off; disorder adds character to music in my philosophy. Some songs on Bathos I pretty much composed on the fly, others were more carefully thought out. Most frustating as always was the mixing; hopefully with the next album the mixing will be done in a professional studio. Also the new material will be more complex than Bathos, so it will unfortunately take a longer time to compose and record. Just one song has been more or less finished currently. Aarni also takes part on two upcoming tribute compilation albums, so we'll have to make exclusive songs for those too...I feel extremely busy at the moment :(

3 - I think that is not so easy to find good musicians with the same preferences who do not have other projects. Do you agree? Was it difficult to find the musicians to play at the band??

MW: Not very difficult as I play nearly everything myself. Vilpir of Umbra Nihil played most of the drums on Bathos, and on the next album too. The third musician was genius A. Frankenstein, who sang on two Bathos tracks. He was interested in taking part, although he usually doesn't listen to metal or such. I agree that it can be hard to find musicians who share your preferences - I have experience in that. It is one of the main reasons why I decided to do everything I possibly can in Aarni by myself: composing, playing, recording, writing lyrics, selecting/drawing artwork etc. The extra amounts of work seems a small price to pay for independence and not having to compromise because of other people's limitations.

4 - What do you think about the Brazilian scene? Do you think about playing here?

MW: I'm not familiar with the Brazilian scene or even the Finnish scene. I'm not interested in actively following the "world of metal" or any other music genre. I try to listen to as little music as I can when composing my own record, because I don't want any distractions. Currently Aarni is strictly a studio band, with no interests in playing live, despite some requests. I don't believe in gigs as I have no particular need to meet other metal or whatever music fans: I don't wish to be part of any community. Perhaps Aarni's music has been aimed at a certain elite and not for the mass-market. Or perhaps I am "just joking"? Find out for yourselves, the information is there...

5 - Which countries know about your work? Tell me about the booked shows (it can be at home or abroad) and about some countries that you would like to visit.

MW: Like stated above, Aarni has no booked shows. No countries know of our work, but people living in various countries do. At least I've received mail from individuals living all over the world. I have no wishes to visit particular countries, but would like to visit other planets. If any extraterrestrials read this - please get in contact asap!

[...]