Interviews

 A lot has changed for Dreamtale in the 3 years since their last album 'Difference'. They have had a few face changes and are back with a force, introducing their latest album 'Phoenix' to the world. I managed to catch up with Erkki - vocalist-extraordinaire, and keyboard-stylist Akseli, to talk about the new release, backstage antics, and Eurovision!

How is your 4th album 'Phoenix' doing?

Erkki: Pretty well, thanks! We got some very good reviews from Tampere’s main newspaper and the noise. fi –platform. Also many fans (especially ladies) have liked the album, so we can’t be doing everything wrong, heh! Also, the singles have been played quite extensively by RadioRock in Finland, together with some words of praise from Mr. Nikula. So let’s hope that the public finds the album and buys it!

What's been your experience recording it?

Erkki: Well, I’m not going to lie and say it was easy. I mean we had people coming into the band while the recording was in progress, so it meant some compromises and didn’t leave us much time to do the finishing touches, as we had a deadline for Japan. But on the whole, I liked working with Pasi in the studio, I mean, he produced most of my vocals. And it was nice to work in a studio in Tampere, at TDM. Furthermore, it was great to see the band and all the old and new guys growing together as a band and becoming excited about the album! We have a really good atmosphere now when this lineup came together.

You've had a lot of line-up changes throughout the 9 year history of Dreamtale. Is it difficult to keep a traditional 'Dreamtale sound' with so many comings and goings?

Erkki: That’s more a question for Pasi, I think... But not really. Because the main composer of this band has always been Rami, also on this album, so the essentials are there, even though we might have steered to some other musical directions on this new album. It’s a really rocking, straightforward album, which I think Dreamtale needed to do.

With Erkki stepping up to take the reigns vocally on Phoenix (who did an awesome job by the way!), how was the feeling for him knowing he was joining a line-up of incredible prior singers like Marco Hietala, Rainer Nygard and Jarkko Ahola?

Erkki: First of all: thank you for those words! I was quite satisfied with the end result myself, although the tight schedule meant that I had to sing a few songs while I had the flu, but they turned out okay. I was just happy to be able to record an album singing in this style, which is the style of singing that I grew up with. I think it sounds the way it should sound, that is, it sounds like me. I’m not a power-metal wailer, I’m a rock-singer, and there’s a difference there. As for my predecessors... Well, they are all great guys, I’ve met everyone except Marco. And I’ve had a few talks over beets with Jarkko about Dreamtale and there’s nothing but respect between us. But you can’t think about that stuff when you’re making an album. You have to do your own thing and focus on the product at hand. I mean, Jarkko’s technique is roughly 10-times better than mine, no doubt about that. But I have my own strengths, as I’m pretty versatile and I look better on stage, heh!

How do you find the band dynamics with such a diverse age range?

Akseli: I should comment here that sometimes it’s hard to work with these kids...  (*he's 19! - Editor)
Erkki: Yes, Akseli is the most serious guy in the band... The rest of us still play with legos, while he works on his solo-technique! No, but it’s really not a problem, because we’re all determined to do our best for Dreamtale and we’re all friends on and off stage. Age is not a problem, unless you’re a girl and under 16.

Your 2nd demo-recording ended up in the hands of a Japanese record shop where it grew in popularity amongst the locals. How was it being noticed first in a foreign country rather than your own?

Erkki: Again, a question mostly to Rami and Pasi, but I can say what I know about it. I think the band has grown used to the fact that they are more appreciated outside of Finland and, you know, in this day and age, it doesn’t matter so much where you get the recognition. Recognition is recognition, and that’s what a musician wants. I’m happy just making albums, as long as the Japanese give us money to do that! But obviously we all live in Finland and most of us, except Arto and Akseli, in Tampere, so we do try and make an impact with our concerts here. With this lineup it shouldn’t be a problem, as there is not much competition live between us and the next band. We’re really good on stage.

What do you hope to achieve with Dreamtale?

Akseli: For me, playing and doing what you love is the goal. All else is just extra.
Erkki: Yes, I want to work on this band and really focus on making a great live show. We have great songs and they need to be played and portrayed in a similar manner. Obviously this is a great opportunity for me to develop as a singer, especially this style of singing. I’ve only really sung like this in my Iron Maiden –coverband, and although I’ve got some credit for that, the songs of Dreamtale are technically much harder. So, it’s been great to work on them and singing the stuff Jarkko did on Difference! Also, as I am the singer, the next album is even more important than Phoenix!

Any good tourbus stories you can share?

Erkki: Damn! Rami has a lot of these, as he is the oldest member of the group. There was something about a gig at Klubi, Tampere, when the guys were backstage waiting for the gig to start. And they were pretty nervous, sitting, waiting... Then when the intro tape started, the former bass-player decided to go and take a shit...! Just then! So, the guys were panicking and wondering what to do, banging on the toilet-door and trying to get him out... Dear god. Well, apparently they just barely made it on stage, but they looked kind of dazed and confused for the first few minutes of the show! And someone undoubtedly had dirty pants...

What's your favourite song to perfrom live? You have quite the impressive back-catalogue now, it must be hard to choose?

Akseli: All of the new songs and some old, too. No particular favourites.
Erkki: Yes, the new ones are on the top of my list now, as well. But I like ”Where The Rainbow Ends”, it’s a great song to play live, it never fails. Also the stuff on Difference, which Jarkko sang... There are some great vocals there to do live and I’m proud to be singing them.

Since ex-Dreamtale vocalist Jarkko Ahola has performed on Eurovision (and I ask everyone this), do you have any plans to follow in his footsteps and perform on the Song Contest?

Akseli: ”Take What The Heavens Create” would be a good Eurohit!
Erkki: Piss off, Akseli

Suzi