ENSIFERUM Interview w/ Sami Hinkka

  ENSIFERUM Date: December 1st, 2009Band Member Interviewed: Sami Hinkka - BassInterviewed By: Jacob LaginskiXM: First off, is there any question you guys get asked that is annoying to have to answer over and over again?Sammi: Well...No. Not annoyed, but. There are questions that I don't have an answer for. In many interviews they ask why there are so many metal bands from Finland. *Laughs* XM: Yeah, you're not Finland Sammi: Yeah, well. Not really. XM: You guys just released your latest record "From Afar". How did the recording process of this go?Sammi: Just the recording or composing?XM: All of it.Sammi: Well, very very slow writing stuff. Well, not slow but...Well yeah, slow, but. *Laughs* Very precise, very perfect. We want to try every melody and every chord and stuff like that. There was stuff that was already composed before Victory Songs, riffs and melodies. But, after the release of Victory Songs we went on tour, we did almost 200 gigs. So, we composed also on tours and especially end of last year we did tour with Amon Amarth here in North America. Because we were a support band we had almost 23 hours day time. So we brought these little guitars and we were sitting in the back lounge writing stuff, recording on cell phones, stuff like that. At the beginning of this year every body quit their day jobs and we went to rehearsal every day. Every morning for at least like eight hours, write stuff. Then in February we did demo versions, then in April we hit the studio. The studio went pretty smoothly, we used, for a change, we used two recorders/producers and that was a very good idea. It was Janne Joutsenniemi who was the producer of Victory Songs and also  Tero Kinnunen who has been working with Nightwish and Amorphis. So that was a very good idea. We recorded stuff mostly in Petrack* studio, that is in the country side of Finland. Middle of nowhere, you open the curtains and there is tractors going and horses running. That was a very good choice because we could record whenever we wanted. And downstairs guys could record guitar, then upstairs we could record keyboards. This was very relaxed and....YeahXM: What kind of day jobs did you guys have that you quit?Sammi: Well Markus was still working. He was the last one, he quit in January. He was still working in his record store, and before that he used to be in Spinefarm. XM: So back to the recording, how would you compare From Afar to lets say your first demo album back in 97?Sammi: Oh, I wasent back in the band then. XM: Oh, right. Apologies. Sammi: But...I guess things have changed allot. *Chuckles* Obviously, because in 97', guys were pretty young. Obviously the recording of first demo is always a big thing. And the recording of fourth album is totally different. You have to be more professional and pay attention to arrangements and such...you know writing music is a path, you're never ready. Or at least that's how we see it. You have to challenge yourself all the time and come up with new idea's.XM: And you already released the "From Afar" Music video. Could you tell us a bit more about what is going on in the video?Sammi: We almost did the video for "Twilight Tavern" First, but. That's kind of a more traditional Ensiferum song. And with this new album we have a new bombastic, more orchestral sound. The video song also represents the sound of the album. So, we contacted a few companies who do music videos and sent them the lyrics. They sent us back the synopsis of what is called....XM: Plot?Sammi: Yeah, the plot. And, the one we chose was pretty close to the idea's we had. Well, we dont have so much so big roll in the video, we are just standing in the middle of forest. *Laughs* Well actually, I dont like making music videos. Its fucking boring. *Laughs*XM: And you guys are presently doing the "From Afar" tour. How has it been treating you so far?Sammi: Ah well we did four weeks in Europe first, actually, five weeks in Europe. Then three days at home, then we came straight to North America. But we had a bunch of problems at the beginning of North America tour. Obviously with Hypocrisy, they had their visa issues, and they were forced to cancel the tour. Major bummer. Then, a lot of technical stuff that's normal on tour. But, it has been getting better and better all the time. And the good thing is that even though there has been lots of problems, gigs have been very great since the first gig. XM: What have some of the memorable highlights of the tour so far?Sammi: Highlights...That's a good question...Well, every gig has been the highlight of each day. *Laughs* I guess there's so much going on and you know, we had to take time already to arrange summer festivals and we're going to Australia. That's right after New Years Eve. So there's allot of things to take care of, but when you get on stage, *clap*. Well, the gigs are why we do this anyway.XM: How have people been receiving you live? Do they like the songs?Sammi: The new ones?XM: YeahSammi: Yeah so far very good. Im surprised at how many people know the lyrics allready. They sing along...That's good.XM: Who creates your on stage outfits? or do you think them up yourselves?Sammi: Sorry, I dont get it.XM: Like, when you go on stage, you dont wear what you're wearing now. You got the kilts and...Sammi:Yeah! yeah.XM: So did someone create that for you?Sammi: No. It's very convenient, originally...*Laughs* The kilts, we used to wear traditional metal wear. We used to have leather pants and army boots but you know, its so fucking hot on stage. So a few years ago I said to the others, that's it. I'm not putting this on anymore. I threw it, my leather pants too, into the garbage. I bought kilt, and I never went back. After like, I think it was one tour like that. After every gig everyone else is sweating to death, and I am just. You know. Ah. Pretty cool. So the ventilation works much better.XM: And being beer drinkers who travel the roads, how do you guys like to deal with the hangovers?Sammi: Well personally I try to minimize amount of hangovers on tour. So far, I've had like, two. *Laughs* But, I try to personally. If we have like day off, next day, then its a good night to drink. But I don't really drink heavily the day before we have a gig. Because that will obviously affect it, especially voice. So. But you know... I don't know. I don't understand, some of those guys, they don't even have hangovers. *Laughs* I turned 30, last year, so my hangovers have been getting worse year by year. When I was 20, I could drink a bottle of whiskey. Psh.XM: So when you guys get a day off, besides drinking, what do you do to pass the time?Sammi: Hmm. Well everyone has their own thing. Some of us like to watch movies, if there is something to see, if we are in the city for example. Then we go see city and personally I like to read, enjoy to silence time to time.XM: What type of beer is your favorite?Sammi: Well, personally I'd say Vodka. Vodka with orange juice. That's definitely my poison. XM: And if you had to describe Ensiferum's music in three words they would be..Sammi: Well this is something Markus has said, I don't know, since the first album. Heroic Folk Metal, I still think that's the best three words to describe it. Some bands, they are trying to get away from the label of Folk Metal. But, Ensiferum is one of the oldest folk metal bands, so we have no need to get away from the label. XM: If you could have been involved in the writing, recording, or production of any album ever wich would it be and why?Sammi: *laughs* Good question. Good question... Iron Maiden's Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. That's great album. Well, any Iron Maiden album is great but. You know, I could just play triangle there or something. That'd be awesome. *Laughs* XM: Even just the littlest bit.Sammi: Yeah, have my name in the credits. *Laughs*XM: What are three things you guys allways put on your rider?Sammi: Beer, Vodka, and Orange juice. *laughs*XM: What have Ensiferum been listning to latley?Sammi: Wow. Well, in tour bus, we have listen to new Slayer album. And, Steel Panther, I don't know if you'd know it but.XM: Yeah, actually. I got a free Steel Panther condom at a show a while back.Sammi: That's hillarious. And...Well yeah. We get a bunch of CD's from Century Media. I don't know why, because, we are Spinefarm band, but.XM: Don't complainSammi: *Laughs* Yeah, plastic bag full of 'em. And...Shiiit...Well, if we have like day off tomorrow, we usually have a party in the front lounge and just plug in someone's iPod. Listen to whatever. Yngwie Malmsteen, King Diamond has been playing also on this tour. *Laughs* And, also weird Finnish stuff. That usually grandparents listen to.XM: Old people's music?Sammi: Yeah! yeah. XM: So what do you think of the new Slayer tunes?Sammi: How do I put it...The sound is good. I really like organic sound. But, I've only listened to it once so I don't want to say too much. There is at least one good song, I think it was track four or five. Something like thatXM: Thanks very much for the interview! Any final words?Sammi: Oh? Well. Enjoy the new album, and, I hope we can get back here soon.  Links: Official Site - www.ensiferum.comMySpace Page - www.myspace.com/officialensiferum

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