SONATA ARCTICA INTERVIEW
In 1996 Sonata Arctica was formed in the northern Finland city Kemi. Their first name was Tricky Beans. After some line-up changes in 1997, they changed their name to Tricky Means. In 1999 the band recorded the new demo “Full Moon” in the Tico Tico Studios in Kemi.
In summer 1999 the first single “UnOpened” was released. The release of the first real full legend album “Ecliptica” designated the fall 1999. In October 2004 the band received remarkable news: They would exceeded the Gold record because of their album “Silence”, which arrived a sale of more than 15.000 copies and finally became to the most sold albums of the band.
The second half of December 2005, once again the magic of Sonata Arctica was showed: Their third album “Winterheart’s Guild” received the gold disc, because more than 15.000 copies were sold before the beginning of 2006.
Shortly after “Winterheart’s Guild”, the fourth studio album “Reckoning Night” was also awarded with the golden disc in Finland, while the band still toured through North America in February 2006. More than 100.000 copies of this album were sold worldwide. In May 2007 the album “Unia” was released. Before the release of the album, the single “Paid In Full” was released in Finland, Japan and Germany. This single got the first place in the official Finnish charts, the second place in the following week and stayed in the national top ten, till the release of “Unia”, a month later.
Therefore the ever-active quintet rarely finds time to breathe and once again, it only took them less than two years to produce the follow-up to their last hit album - their new brainchild The Ninth Hour will see the light of day on October 2016.
Sonata Arctica will release their new album on September 6th andTwinmusix got to speak to Tony Kakko from Sonata Arctica about their new album and more.
TM - Hi, This is Amelia from Twinmusix. Thank You for having this interview with me today. How are you?
TK - Good Thank You. Just drinking coffee. I drink coffee all times of the day coffee 24/7. How are you?
TM - Pretty much the same deal here. I saw you played did Hellfest Grasspop this year. How was it?
TK - Hellfest was great, it is so well organized, it was probably the hottest day this summer.
TM - I agree it is one of the best festivals I have been to in my life. I cannot wait to go back next year.
TK - We would love to go back, it is a great festival.
TM - What can fans expect from your new album Talviyö?
TK - I would like to think it's in line with the other albums. The production is slightly different, it is more organic mostly because it was recorded with the drum and bass at the same time. This album has a more old school style, you can hear the difference in the Rhythm Section because we are playing together in the studio.
TM - You worked with a producer for the first time on this album did it affect your sound?
TK - We have known Mikko since 2012, he is a live sound guy and he has his own studio. We introduced him into the process and he was a professional at everything. It was nice to get to work with an outside producer, he is well known and we know him well.
TM - Who Designed your Album cover for Talviyö?
TK - It is a photograph and I have been dreaming of having a photograph for an album cover for years. I found this guy on Instagram who had photos and he was really into Roku device for an album cover. We sold about 8 or 10 photos and edited them in post-production. Other than the wolf, I think it is cool.
TM - If you could have any bands play one of your songs which band would it be which song would it be and would it be in your style or their Style?
TK - Queen playing one of our songs in their style.
TM - If you could collaborate with any band who would it be and why?
TK - Queen as they are my biggest musical influence.
TM - What did you think of the Queen movie Bohemian Rhapsody?
TK - I think it was well-produced, they won a lot of Oscars as well.
TM - I agree, it was a great movie. Did you watch the Elton John movie?
TK - Not yet, I have to watch that. Is it good?
TM - Half the movie is a musical, except it is really good.
TM - What's your favorite memory of watching a different band perform live?
TK - I'm inclined to say, Queen. I was too young to see them with Freddie Mercury when I was little. I was lucky enough to see them a couple of years ago in Helsinki they were incredible live.
TM - I haven't seen them live yet, Except I will one day. What is your favorite moment with your fans?
TK - When people bring their parents and their children to see our band that has been fans for a long time.
TM - Can we expect you in Australia anytime soon?
TK - Hopefully next year, it is in planning at the moment.
TM - Fingers crossed, we will lookout for a tour announcement. Is there anything else you want to say to your fans?
TK - We should come to Australia more often and I hope everyone likes the new album. Stream it or buy it, just give it a go. If you like it, we will try and come to Australia.
TM - Thank You for our interview today, we cannot wait to see you in Australia.
