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Band page - Winterborn
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Band Profile
What is your name and your current position in the band?
I'm Pasi Vapola and I play the other guitar and I'm the main songwriter and the leader of the band.
How would you categorize the style of the band? And did you ever consider or try playing other styles of music than the one(s) you are playing now?
I think we are melodic heavy metal with a progressive and rock twist in it. I also have to mention that there is quite a lot of variation in our music. I mean, inside the style we play. We are modern but still honour the classic heavy and hard rock elements.
What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
The album is called Farewell To Saints. Well, we think it's a bloody good heavy album, that's why. All the people who likes heavy music should check it out. It's not just for the fans of some particular genre of music. And if people appreciate well composed, well played and produced music with some balls and a big heart, this is for them!
Tell us about the history of the band. More specifically, when was the band formed, how did you meet, and have there been any particular highlights or low points in your career, any crucial events that have taken you where you are today?
The band was formed in late 2004, early 2005. I actually met the original line-up in a party of my motorcycle club back in 2002 or something like that. Except Jukka HÃ?nninen, our keyboard player. I knew him earlier from somewhere. But the other guys, Teemu Koskela our singer and our original rhythm section came to play cover songs to a party which I put together. When I first time heard the guys, especially koskela, I was convinced that I have to go back playing music. I hadn't played in 5 or 6 years before that day. But when I heard Teemus voice I knew I had to play with that guy. So I actually went on stage with them to play few songs that night, I think it was Dio's Don't talk to strangers and some Rainbow song. We had a blast and after that I called the guys and told I have a project now with Jukka HÃ?nninen and I would like them to play in it. And they yes. They had liked my style on stage. First we played 70's,80's and 90's heavy rock cover song under the name of Mean Machine, but I really got sick playing cover songs pretty fast. I knew that I and we could make music that could stand the comparison to these songs we were playing at the time. So I started to write own material with Jukka and there is the real birth of Winterborn. The bands name was actually my best friends idea. When he said it, we loved it right away.
There's nothing SO special moments in our career. Maybe the first European tour with Doro after the first album, that was really good experience. And now last autumn we played in Finland in a 18000 seat arena in a charity event. It was nice too.
Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
NO, I knew it from the day one that we will make an international career. There's was no doubt about that. It was our only goal. I knew the potential in our music and believed in it.
Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?
Christmas Eve on the European tour 2006 was a really nice day. We had a lot fun and did eat and drink a lot. We were somewhere in Germany in a some kind of Gasthaus. It was definitely the best party that we have had.
And last autumn we performed in a big charity show in Helsinki. It was a big venue, 18000 seats and packed. Great production and all the biggest stars of Finland there. First time we played in a really big arena.
How is the writing process in the band?
Mostly it goes like this. I make a somekind of demo and then we start working on it with Teemu or Jukka or both. The main idea usually comes when I get a chance to be alone with my guitar and just let the playing take me where ever it takes. I don't usually plan any stuff.
What comes out is just something from inside. Of course there are some exceptions to this. And I think we will try now to jam together as a band and work something together. But I will always do some stuff alone because I really love it. Just to be inside that creative mood.
There's nothing more pleasant to me than to write music. And also when you write with Teemu, it's so great to connect at that level. It's almost like telepathy. It's great. And Teemu has now much bigger role in songwriting than before. It's great. And I have to mention. The best time to write is in the middle of the night. That's when the creative juices starts to flow.
What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
Well, I don't think it was any particular event that caused me to be a musician. I think it's somehow build in me since the birth. I've always been drawn to music. And my father always listened to rock and even hard rock stuff at home when I little. Bands like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Nazareth, Marc Bolan and T-Rex. All these kind of bands.
So I grew up with music. I was like 7 years when my father bought me my first KISS tape. It was so mind blowing moment. I remember thinking that they were like gods or something. Then I really started collecting all the KISS stuff and became a huge fan. Then later came other bands and when I first time heard Iron Maiden, I was hooked. But I dreamed about being a rock star since I was 7. And I played guitar like from age 9 to like 20 a lot. There was something larger than life feel in all the rock stars and guitar heroes when I was young. I really looked up to bands like Maiden and guitar heroes like Steve Vai, Satriani ja Malmsteen. But then I got involved with Harley-Davidsons and I literally stopped playing for like 6 years. But I never loosed my passion for music, I just didn't play. But then our vocalist Teemu Koskela came to play in a party at my motorcycle clubhouse and I was hooked. And I played a few songs with the band and that was it. Then I knew that this is what I want to do.
If I wouldn't be a musician I would be professional football player. I played like crazy when I was young and I was really really good in my age group. But then came Iron Maiden to the picture and I started playing more and more until I didn't have the time or enthusiasm to play football at the higher level. I still play and it is the greatest game on earth. I'm also a huge Liverpool fan. You'll never walk alone.
Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
I don't know if I would call them idols, but Iron Maiden has always been a huge influence. I really look up to those guys, now even more than before because they are the living proof that good music will stand the test of time and that you don't have to be 20 years and good looking to still sell records and tour stadiums. And they are the most honest band on the planet and all the fame hasn't got into their heads. They are really down to earth kind of guys. And the whole Iron Maiden crew and all that. They are like big family.
Do you have any regrets looking back at your career? For example any songs or even full albums that you regret recording? If so, what made you regret it?
Not really no. You know, there's been some difficulties along the way but those are part of the growing and learning process. If I would have known all the things that I know now about this industry now, back when we started. It would have been easier. But then I would maybe take some things for granted.
Maybe I regret the fact, that we have never really stopped for a moment to enjoy what we have accomplished. And what we have got out this thing. All the great people we met, and the friends we've made and the gigs we've played. You know, you are always pushing forward.
Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?
Well, in central Europe fans seem to love the track called Lovehunter, which is very basic hard rock song with lyrics in Whitesnake style or something like that. It's not a bad song, no. But really bored with it. But works great live thou.
How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?
With this new album it is a bigger role. On the debut album we didn't really think much about it. The topics did vary a lot. But now the themes are more serious and on the same level with each other. On Farewell to Saints we put a little more effort to the lyrics and did pretty decent job.
But lyrics are important. You can ruin a good song with lyrics that don't work. It's all matter of the mood of the actual music and the lyrics. How well they with together. And for us, I think it's becoming more important to really try to say something with lyrics. But on the other hand, I think there's so much going on in our songs all the time that they stand on their on even if the lyrics weren't that good. But when you have both things nicely placed together, then the song comes alive.
What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
It's fuckin rotten! I'm glad you asked me this. I mean, think about all the shit that the record, major record companies are putting out.
It's all about money these days. To make a quick money and then move to the next band. The music industry in doing just what the whole world is doing. Everything is disposable, you use it once and throw it away and get new one. It's the same in music. All the music is being made so easy that people don't have to use their brain or energy or time to really get in to it. And I think that's a shame. Because there the beauty of music really lies. In that moment when listener gets the moment when he realizes the real essence of the song or album. And it pisses me of, that it now all about fuckin one song and video, not the albums as a whole. And now most of the big acts sell their records and get their air time with totally something else than good music. It's all about image and marketing. It's all fake to me. I hate it.
Of course there still are good bands and artists out there, of course.
But most of the stuff is rubbish. And there is really not much use to the record companies anyway. They just steal artists income. Nowadays artist can buy all the services from independent suppliers with a reasonable amount of money. And the actual record sales is going down all the time. Now, bands can start make their own business in the internet which doesn't require that much money. It's interesting to see how things are in a next few years. To a small band, it's not necessarily a good thing to sign a contract with some small label.
They might as well do the job themselves, because there's not much the small label can do for you.
What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
I really don't know. This is not my cup of tea. I think it has to be some kind of technical invention which is not my thing to try to guess it.
Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
Well, I don't actually have one. But if I now think about it, it could
this: Life and world is beautiful. Just stop for a minute and see and enjoy what you got around you. Learn to enjoy the little things and then you'll notice that they are not so little after all.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
Okay! But this is not that interesting let me tell you. First I get up like 6.30 when my 2 year old son wakes up. Then I'll eat breakfast with him and then go to work 8 o'clock. I'm in the office until 4 doing also some band stuff there. Sometimes a lot. Especially now when the album is coming out. Then I go back home and do something with my family, 2 sons and wife. And perhaps some band related phone calls usually takes place. After when the kids are sleeping at 9 o'clock, I will watch some tv and do some band stuff like I do now or play around some new song ideas maybe. There it is!
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
Well my family of course. And football is very dear hobby of mine. I really love. To play it or watch some games.
What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?
We were in Austria and we have this song in the new album called The Winter War. Its on the new album by the way. Well, during the live set our former bass player put costume on, a authentic clothes of finnish soldier during the WWII. Well, it happens that the uniform he had no looked quite a lot same as old german uniforms. We didn't realize that right away. Well, I think it was the promoter of that show had told our tour manager that after the gig we aren't allowed to move outside.
We were locked in because I guess they feared the crowds reaction or they were pissed of themselves. I don't know. Well, we manage to escape and talked to the fans and people in the streets and at least they didn't care.
You're heading off to live on a deserted island for a couple of years with your portable entertainment system... Which albums, movies or books would you bring? (Max. 3 of each)
Albums: Iron Maiden, seventh son of a seventh son. Sting, Ten summoners tales and then Dream theatre, Images and Words
Movies: The Pianist, I don't know if it's Rita Hayward, The great escape or something in English. It's a really really great movie. And Braveheart
Books: Led Zeppelin, Hammer of Gods, Da Vinci Code and Holy blood holy grail
What is your favourite joke?
Well, it's so rough that I really can't tell it hear. And by the way, usually I just don't remember any jokes. It 's like there's no room in my brain for jokes after al the band stuff that's in there.
Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
We have the album out now so we will do live shows as much as possible. Hopefully we are able to come tour Europe again but we will see about that. And we will tour here in Finland in the autumn. And we are shooting our first video on May. It will be awesome and kick ass video. We will also put it online as soon as we can. So stay tuned on our website and myspace. And slowly we will start writing new material for the next album. It will be exciting with the new line-up. We have now 5 guys who can write song so we will see what we can come up with.
But I think it will get better all the time!
Thanks for answering these questions. Now you are free to write a few lines to our readers.
Ok, well. All I want to say is that hopefully the people reading this are people who appreciates good and honest music. Music which is done from the heart, with soul. And I'm not meaning just us now, but in general. The radio stations play mostly shit and the major labels release mostly fake and over produced shit. Just open your ears and trust your own instincts. And be critical, question the stuff that's on the radio and tv. Let us all enjoy good music!
And yes of course, you should definitely visit our myspace and check out some songs of the new album.
Have a nice summer you all!
Added by Steen - 5/31/2009
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