Matthau Mikojan – Mania for life

The Finnish musician from Tampere features his second studio album.

Matthau Mikojan

After building up a solid name in the rock Finnish scene with his previous band Bloodpit, Matthau started his solo career in 2008, and not long time ago here you have his follow-up album. The lyrics are notable, with good tracks like Mania for life, Chasing ghosts or Slow Down. Although with a little touch of melancholy, in general the album is light-hearted and easy to listen to and dance. It is also a “plus” that Matthau not only plays many instruments, but also composes all the songs.

Apart from different venues in Finland, he will be also touring in other European countries like Russia or Germany during the summer. If he happens to play close to you, do not miss the chance to see him on stage. A good effort by the Tamperelainen!

Rating 3/5

Beyond the Frontiers of Imperial Russia

Born in 1832 in the island of Uto, Finnish Otto W. Lindholm´s life was always full of adventure. He travelled the world several times, and gained an excellent reputation in the most exclusive aristocratic circles of the Imperial Russia. The recollection of his amazing journeys has been not lost thanks to his great grandsons, Alexander C. de Haes-Tyrtoff and Nicholas Tyrtoff Davis, the editors of the current book who dedicated 4 years of effort  to the publication of Lindholm´s memories. A unique life of a unique Finnish man that you should not miss!

Book cover

After reading the memories of Lindholm´s life, I was certainly impressed with his achievements. His life was not easy, but we are facing a man who is able to endeavour the most impossible tasks with a decision made of steel. The young Otto had certainly to grow fast, losing his father at the age of twelve and enlisting on a whaler to sail around the world. He is the ultimate definition of resolution, a man shaped by the experience and the will to improve and escalate in the social circles. Nicholas Davis, one of the editors of the book, defines perfectly the image that could remain of Lindholm after following his wanderings around the globe:  “The picture that remains in my mind is that of being a captain of a whaling ship in 1859 at the age of 27 years and shows what he was capable of for the rest of his life; the courage to confront unknown dangers and to take responsibilities in dangerous situations; his strongest points are to learn and to know in detail everything that was new – the how and the why (steam-engines, gold mining, surveying, constructions, etc.). His weak points: like every human being he must have had weaknesses but they really don’t appear in his writings. He certainly was stubborn.

Lindholm was an educated man who put a great interest in finishing his studies with the best grades. But you can notice throughout the book that maybe his biggest moments of pleasure are when he is in full contact with the nature, trying to find his way in the middle of isolated landscape in North Russia or pursuing a whale in the vast ocean. Nevertheless, coming from a relatively humble family, you cannot miss that he really finds pleasure in collecting meticulously every new friend from the high aristocracy that he meets and the honours that provided to him.

Although born in what is today the territory of Finland, the references to the country happen just from time to time, when the young Otto comes to Helsinki to finish his studies after his first experiences in a whaler, or years later when he comes back renting the best carriage of the city. But the Finnish capital was never one of his favourite ones, although he had a good time with old friends there, always considering it in a way inferior to many other cities that he had visited around the world in that time. It is also very curious to see his trips through the United States or Japan, and how he was able to foresee many changes that would happen years later. Lindholm seems to have had a distinctive good sense for making business as far as analyzing situations and people in every particular situation, and that led him to be a successful captain and later business man. Although he was a tough man and did not hesitate to use the force if needed, you can see also his more human and fair side: in several moments around the book, he shows an unusual mercy and flexibility towards the boat crew, even if they misbehaved. Lindholm showed that was not only a brave and clever man, but also a kind one who could understand the feelings of the men around him, but could also hold a firm authority if needed.

Travelling one million kilometres and 17 times around the world

It is a pity that there are not more graphic memories of Lindhom´s trips.  Unfortunately most of his photographs were destroyed in a fire in the year 1905 that affected his library. Nicholas Davis calculates that “Otto Lindholm travelled 17 times around the world. If one considers that one had to travel in the 19th century from Europe to the Pacific and the Far East by way of Cape Horn or the Cape of Good Hope one can easily estimate that he probably travelled over one million kilometres in his life time“. An amazing statistic even nowadays, so imagine with the technical difficulties that any traveller would have to face in the 19th century!

whale hunting

The book is pretty recommendable for those of you interested in Finnish history and travelling. Not so many times you have the chance to read such an eloquent narration of adventures all over the world; In fact, I have a warning for animal lovers: maybe you will not enjoy this book. The description of killing whales and many other animals like bears, foxes, etc, are sometimes quite meticulous. But take into account that these men were travelling with no catering service close to them. Hunting for them was in many cases not only a hobby (although in some parts of the book they also go hunting for fun with the aristocracy) but a ways of surviving in a wild environment.  Sometimes I just miss that Otto would share more details about his private life and family relations instead of the accountancy of all the dinners and parties he gets invited, but obviously, he was finding more interesting to account about his social developments, keeping (as a good Finn) his role as caring husband and father for himself.

The Russian city of Vladivostock celebrates in 2010 its  150 years of existence, and due to the great effort that Lindholm made to develop the city, both great grandsons Alexander and Nicholas have been invited to the festivities. Nothing better like finishing the description of Lindhom with the final resuming words by Nicholas about his ancestor:

Otto Lindholm certainly sought adventure, was daring, headstrong and fortunate, but always with this humanitarianism which finds something honest in every man. He is also someone who knew that a favour would be returned one day, who saw in everyone opposite him a potential friend. Ambitious, Otto certainly wanted to be well known, but he also wanted it for others and his family.  He had a natural talent for business but was also someone who could foresee opportunities; he had a foreboding for the precariousness of life, just like an ice-pack which one thinks is secure but might suddenly break up when the wind turns. He also knew that from any hopeless situation one can always survive through hope and human courage”.

Maj Karma – Salama

Herra Ylppö, one of the most charismatic Finnish frontman, is back with his band and a new studio album.

Maj Karma

After releasing his solo album Sata Vuotta in 2008, Mr. Ylppö is back with Maj Karma, one of the most successful Finnish rock bands of the last years. The new work counts with 10 tracks that, from my point of view, the fans will dig immediately. Maybe the sound is not as raw and powerful as in previous albums, but the essence is still there: the magnetic voice and lyrics of Ylppö, the poetry with a note of desperation…

If you do not understand Finnish, then it is a bit more difficult to enjoy for the foreign listener, which is a pity, because it will narrow the projection of the band now and in future years. But well, they will always have their faithful Finnish followers. Not a bad effort, although do not expect much new.

Rating 3/5

Sunrise Avenue – Popgasm

Follow up album for the Finnish pop/rock band that is not going to let fans down!

When a formula works, why to change it? That must have thought the guys of Sunrise Avenue after the huge success of their debut On the Way to Wonderland that led them to tour around Europe and have a great success, overall in Germany.  Here they repeat more or less with the same, catchy pop-rock tunes, the same producer Jukka Backlund and similar lyrics about love, relations, etc.

Popgasm

Well, maybe I miss a bit more of mischief in the lyrics. I prefer bands with a more clear “rock” attitude, but all in Sunrise Avenue seems to be aimed to comfort the teenage female fans, portraying the guys as the good ones that the parents would accept for a date with their daughters (listen if not to the ninth track Kiss N Run, which is on the other hand one of the best of the album).

Even though, the album sounds convincingly good and catchy, and Samu Haber reaffirms that he is one of the most charismatic Finnish singers nowadays. If you liked the previous album, you will dig this one. But if you do not like to be surrounded by hysteric fifteen years old girls in the concerts, maybe this will not be your cup of tea.

Rating 4/5

Ironica – Vivere

Second album by the Finnish metal head bangers released again by Poko records.

Ironica

After listening to Vivere, you cannot really say that there is anything wrong with it. The record is an acceptable collection of good heavy metal songs, with the female vocalist, Elina Iron, doing a decent job with clean and powerful vocal skills. The production has been taken care of by the omnipresent Hiili Hiilesmaa, so that is almost synonym of good quality.  But there is “something” missing here. There is no hit that can be highlighted as the definite one that could break the ice internationally. The sound is maybe a bit more aggressive than in their debut album, released a couple of years ago, (listen for example The beast), but there are so many similar bands nowadays in Finland (metal bands with female singers such as Nightwish, Amberian Dawn, Manzana, etc) that makes really complicated for a band to stand out unless they offer something really fresh.

All in all, a good album of metal, but after giving it a couple of tries, it can happen that you start to look for other new bands (or re-listen to the classics).

Rating 3/5

Nicole – Tuomittujen Joukkoon

With a very brutal sound, here is the fourth album by Nicole released with their own label Biotech.

Nicole

Well, I cannot say that Nicole´s new release is a bad album… as far as you are into hardcore metal. The point is that maybe I have started to feel a bit bored of bands whose lyrics are almost gibberish due to the screams of the singer. Do not misunderstand me, if you like Finnish bands like Diablo or even the English Napalm Death, you will probably enjoy this. The guitar riffs are sharp and fast, good work by Ketola and Laitala there, and the guys sound compact. But it does not really add anything much to the overpopulated genre.

If you need to unload some good doses of adrenaline while listening to tracks (only 9 shapes the album) like Delirium, Kuolemaan Asti Sinun or Syvä Vesi, this will do the trick. But for me, I am still looking for a little bit “more” than just power when I listen to a metal band.

Rating 3/5

White Flame – Tour Bus Diaries

One of the best Finnish rock releases of the year!

If White Flame would be an American band, we would be talking here about the new sensation of the international hard rock scene. But not…yet. The guys are from Tampere, (with permission of Helsinki, the semi “official rock” city not only of Finland but probably of the whole Europe). With a sound that drinks from the great American rock bands of the 80s, White Flame is able to combine the attitude and “dirty” touch of people like Mötley Crüe and an awesome work of composition in the lyrics like (the young) Bon Jovi or the best Guns & Roses.

White Flame

Still not afraid of even making fun of themselves and all the rock star status, the truth is that they have created probably one of the best 5 hard rock albums of the last years. The guitar riffs sound like glory from the beginning, Vince on the vocals stands up doing a great job and tracks like Tall Thin In, Dancin`with her Sister or Frontrow Girl just give you an idea of the top quality level that the Finnish musicians can achieve.

A very very very good hard rock album. Hopefully there will be many others to follow!

Rating 5/5

The hand of God – Maradona by Kusturica

Just a couple of days ago I received at home the documentary in DVD “Maradona” by the famous Serbian film director Emir Kusturica. After watching it, I still hesitate between recommending it or not. Honestly, from the cinematographic point of view, I got a bit disappointed; I thought that the movie was going to be entirely focused on Maradona and his life, but it looks more like a movie about the director himself meeting Maradona. In fact, I think that Kusturica appears more minutes on screen than Maradona himself.

Maradona by Kusturica

This can also be due to the difficulties in getting contact with the Argentinean. The footage was recorded 5-6 years ago, with Maradona immersed and dealing with his well known drugs problems, so it took more than 2 years for the director to gather enough material to put the film together, and you can see his desperation in some parts of the movie. All in all, there are still some good and emotive moments, when you see the most human side of the ex-footballer: his moments with his family and parents, his raw honesty when talking about the drugs and all what he missed in life due to them, his visit to Belgrade waving his hand to the people in the streets…

I think that the fact that makes Maradona still so beloved all over the world (ok…maybe except in England) is that we see in them the weakness of human beings. Who does not have a friend or a relative with a good heart, but who always manage to get in problems because of gambling, alcohol, drugs, women, taking the wrong decision in the worst moment…? Maradona is certainly not an angel, but behind every mischief he makes, there is still a glimpse of dignity and kindness. He is not untouchable, but the kind of man who can score a goal in a stadium filled with 100.000 souls, but could still be perfectly sitting close to you in your backyard, sipping a cold beer and telling anecdotes.

The documentary has also some hilarious moments, like when featuring the “Church of Maradona” in Argentina, a group of hardcore followers of “El Pelusa” who ask their new followers to score a goal imitating the famous one scored with “the hand of God” against England in Mexico World Championship for entering their special “cult” and even marrying couples using Maradona´s biographical book as their own new bible.

As I said, reviewing the film itself, I honestly thought the final result would be a bit better. But for the lovers of football, this is undoubtedly a must see just for the simple reason of watching the superb actions and goals of Maradona while being an active player. For me Maradona is linked with my first memories about football: Mexico 86 is the first World Championship I remember (I was just 6 years old). A period of life when football players did not need to wear Gucci suits in the press conferences, did not look like Hollywood stars and did not have boots painted in other colors than black and white.I still remember, being a little child, how furious I was when the legal goal by Michel was not given by the referee, so Spain finally lost 1-0 against Brazil or how happy made me feel to see Butragueño scoring 4 goals against Denmark. And of course, I remember Maradona scoring the two most famous goals of the last 25 years of football history against England.

I always despised the goal that Maradona scored with the hand. For me, in sports cheating is always cheating and it kills the spirit of the game. Obviously, in that match it was not only about football, but more a question of national pride after the recent Falkland War that confronted Argentina and England.

But as I said before, Maradona has the magic virtue of not only being one of the best football players of the history, but also of being able to get forgiveness from football fans once and again and again. I do not really give value to his opinions about politics or religion. Maradona is the kind of person who will say one thing and when you turn your head, will do the opposite. But same than we do with a good old friend, it is impossible to deny him help and pity.

There is an interesting moment during the film, where a couple of sexy strippers are performing a little show in front of Kusturica´s eyes, but he turns his head to the TV set to watch a video of Maradona´s highlights. Same for me the best moments during the documentary were not when he meets South American presidents or starts to divagate about his addictions. The best moments were when watching archive footage of his amazing talent in the football pitch, his control of the ball with that prodigious left leg, his assistances and his incredible goals (most usually scored with the feet).

I won´t keep the image of a fat Maradona interned in a rehab clinic, but of a player able to surf though the football pitch like a ballerina breaking though six English defenders like a flash in his path to glory. As everything in life, glory in sports always comes with a price to pay.

Rating 3/5

Maradona by Kusturica Trailer

Sauna

The biggest sensation of Finnish cinema lands in DVD!

Sauna

A-J Annila shows that the European horror cinema genre is in quite good shape. Sauna was a phenomenon in the Finnish theatres last year, and it is still collecting prizes (like in the recent Brussels film festival) and good critics all over the world. If you like gore movies, with a lot of blood and viscera, this is not for you. Sauna has other weapons to retain the spectator immersed in a constant tension: the dark and grey atmosphere, the sauna building erected magically in the middle of nowhere, the main characters, two brothers that have secrets and sins hidden inside the deeps of their souls…  If you enjoy more kind of movies like The Village of The Blair Witch Project that keep you in tension until the final climax, you will like this film pretty much.

The movie on the other hand is not easy to understand, there are many clues hidden that would require a second or third time to watch, and the rhythm turns slow for some moments. But at least it makes you think, and achieves a good result with a little budget.

Not for all audiences, but certainly a nice approach to the horror genre without abusing of tones of blood spilled.

Rating 3/5

The best: it makes you think.

The worst: maybe some spectators do not wait for giving it a second chance after the first view.

The detail: compare the number of inhabitants in the village with the number of people the elder brother killed…

Sauna Trailer

Stratovarius – Polaris

One of the top international Finnish metal bands is back on the track after a twisted story with a new release and new record company…and without Timo Tolkki…

I have a weakness for Stratovarius since I was a teenager. They became one of my favourite bands ever and I remember with great emotion watching their concerts in Madrid. In one of them I was lucky enough to catch the set list when thrown to the audience, and ten minutes later a friend of a friend ripped in half the page…

Stratovarius

In any case, that was many years ago, and many things have happened in the history of Stratovarius. I also had the chance to meet in person their ex-bass player Jari Kainulainen (his wife was working at my same company) but the biggest change they experienced has been undoubtedly the exit of guitarist Timo Tolkki. A few weeks ago we published the review of the new Tolkki´s Revolution Renaissance´s album, and now it is the turn for Polaris, the newest release of Stratovarius. FREE! Magazine has the good luck to bring you the first impressions about the new full-length a couple of weeks before the official release date.

It was not an easy task to release a new album with Tolkki gone. Apart from everything written about his mental state, the Finnish musician is still a magician with the six strings and an excellent composer who elevated Stratovarius to the top of metal music worldwide. But what is more surprising once you listen to Polaris is that actually the album sounds very “classic”, not mentioning that it is also the first one released with the new record company Edel, leaving Spinefarm after many years of collaboration together.

Kotipelto in the vocals and  Johansson in the keyboard are able to retain (if not all) part of the essence of those albums of more than a decade ago, Visions or Elements, and the album sounds really good, with great tracks like Falling Star or Winter Skies as my personal highlights. It is good to see the keyboard taking a bit more of action all over the album, while bass player Lauri Porra shows once more why he is considered to be maybe the best bassist in Finland nowadays.  The new guitarist Matias Kupiainen does really an excellent work, and you do not miss the riffs of Tolkki at all during the 11 tracks that compose this Polaris.

Do not expect this to be the best album in the discography of Stratovarius, but certainly it is one that could be ranked among the best four or five;  An excellent “comeback” without Tolkki that shows how the Finnish metal masters have still a lot of to say to the international audiences. Ah, and I almost forget to mention that the quality of the artwork keeps up with the excellent taste that Stratovarius has always had with every new release!

Rating 4/5

Filth and Wisdom

Everything Madonna does is surrounded by polemic, so obviously expect an avalanche of different reactions with her first film as director…

I have read a bunch of bad critics against this movie, and just after watching it I think they are not well deserved. Many people wanted to criticise the movie just for being directed by Madonna, more than paying attention to its content. And truly, although it is not a masterpiece, it is in some way “surprisingly” good, a very decent movie for a novel director (no matters if called Madonna or any other name).

Filfth & Wisdom

The film is risky but it does not go over the top. It plays with sexual content, but nothing too explicit, having the main focus on the twisted human relations around three flatmates who share a house in London.  The real star of the movie is the singer from Gogol Bordello Eugene Huntz. A few weeks ago I saw his astonishing performance in Everything is Illuminated, where he literally steals the show, and here he does the same. His charisma in front of the camera is notorious, and I really hope he will be offered more good roles in future productions to continue exploding his talent.

Although the rhythm of the film has some ups and downs, with some brilliant moments and some other boring ones, all in all, it is worthy to watch. Maybe Madonna won´t reach the level of her ex-husband Guy Ritchie, but she achieves a good movie; nothing to be ashamed of for the queen of pop.

Rating 3/5

The best:  The Ukrainian charismatic singer/actor from Gogol Bordello Eugene Huntz.

The worst: Some people are not going to give a chance to the movie just because of the name of the director.

The detail: The DJ at the strip club appears also in Guy Ritchie´s previous movie Snatch.

Filth and Wisdom Trailer

Beverly Hills Chihuahua

Another movie from Disney with dogs having adventures. Not, this time they are not lost in Alaska, but in Mexico and the main characters is a tiny but brave spoiled Chihuahua!

Beverly Hills Chihuahua

Obviously this is a movie just for the little ones of the family, or as well for parents and kids to watch together. Do not expect any logic here, because you are not going to find it. A dog wearing a collar of diamonds, dogs that understand perfectly the instructions of humans, a rat and an iguana who are friends and try to steal around…  I am surprised actually that Andy Garcia and Drew Barrymore are involved in the project lending their voices, but there is nothing that Disney cannot achieve.  The always deliciously sexy Piper Perabo (Coyote Ugly) and Manolo Cardona (well known in Latin America for his participation in soap operas) have good chemistry together, but the real stars of the movie are the dogs, forming a society that has nothing to envy to humans.

Well, as we said at the beginning, this is more a family movie, aimed at kids and animal lovers. If you prefer gore or terror movies, watching a bunch of cute dogs talking and having adventures around is not going to float your boat. But if you enjoy Disney movies and want to spend a good time together with children, your couple or your parents, this can be worthy a try.

Rating 3/5

The best: Delgado´s background story and its similarities with many other cop movies.

The worst: That in real life there are dogs almost as spoiled as the rich ones in the movie. And unfortunately there are also dog fights where sadistic audiences enjoy watching animals suffer.

The detail: The movie has made more than 150 million dollars worldwide while being at the cinema screens.

Beverly Hills Chihuahua Trailer

Brüssel Kaupallinen – Interview with drummer J-P Aunola

Brüssel Kaupallinen is a rock band from Oulu that has achieved to be well known in their native country during its 2 decades of existence for owning a very personal style, not so easy to classify in the overpopulated Finnish rock /metal scene. Maybe they are not the band with the biggest discography in the world, but certainly they have something good and fresh to offer with their newest release, Musta Polku, produced by no other than Hiili Hiilesmaa. Juha-Pekka Aunola, the band´s drummer, kindly attended our quesitons and explained a bit more about BK and the "Oulu´s particular way of understanding music".

It seems that everywhere is written that BK sounds different to most of the other Finnish bands. So how do you define your sound then?

It’s hard to say that about your own music, because you are so close to it. Don’t know. Maybe it’s our style to make music that makes it sound different. Every song comes from rehearsal jams. Everybody add their own spices right away to songs and we don’t have too much limits. That makes it sound little strange and different. Our sound today is quite nineties; quite rough and little bit grunge with hint of metal.

Brüsell Kaupallinen

Does Musta Polku sound similar/different to your previous works?

I think MP is closer to 1996 released Aika ep, than two previous albums at 2005 and 2007. Somebody said that we found our lost soul again.

Black color seems to be an important theme in the album. It is in the title of a couple of songs, and even the artwork is black and white. Does this represent any kind of philosophy of things or state of mind?

Yes, it’s some kind of northern darkness; it’s easy to write about dark things, when you live up here with long dark winter. But still there’s some white in it. Also in this time everything is so black and white for many people. Black and white represents our world today.

At least when I was much younger (and probably even dumber), I used to enjoy full length albums with 14/15 tracks, but it seems that the trend nowadays is to make more condensed albums. For example, yours has just 11 too. Why do you think that this happened? Is the fast way of life nowadays making that people get bored if an album lasts too much?

You left out all shitty songs and that’s what is leftJ. With this kind of music about 40 minutes is enough for most of the people and in 40 minutes package stays still tight. But at least I have heard many great 1 hour albums lately. Today for many youngsters even one song is too much to listen at once.

In 1996 you launched your EP Aika, but it was not until almost 10 years later that you had your release album. What happened during those 10 years of “pause”? Is it not weird for you to say that you have been around 20 years but have only 3 studio albums?

At that time we’re making kids and working; normal life that didn’t include playing childish music. Life has changed so much nowadays. Now we’re making kids, working and playing childish music. I know many bands that hadn’t had any studio albums in twenty years. So that doesn’t feel so odd.

The “magician” of Finnish rock music Hiili Hiilesmaa has collaborated with you in your newest album. How did you get in contact and what can you tell after the experience of working with him?

I got to know him few years ago via our old record label (UHO production). So I just asked him if he was interested and he said yes. First he mixed Valheiden kirja album at 2007 and after those sessions we decided that he’ll do whole production for Musta polku. He is great guy to work with. So mellow but still demanding. When he says things are ok or shitty, then they are as he says. You better believe him. And he’s always in time, no stupid rock shit from him, never.

It seems that your songs get a lot of promotion online, in social webs like MySpace etc. Are you active users of social networks? Do you think that it is easier to keep contact with the audience there?

BK Drummer

Of course. Ten years ago you didn’t have this kind of promotion channels, just posters. Today posters are almost gone. Many cities deny posters, and if you put them anyway, they send you cleaning bill. Via Facebook and Myspace you can get more personal contact to fans too.

Noisy, ironic and mean, that’s Oulu" 

What represent for you and your band coming from Oulu? Does your native place influence your music?

Oulu is mental thing. Our kind of music has been called Oulu-noise twenty years. Radiopuhelimet is maybe most known in this genre. Noisy, ironic and mean, that’s Oulu

I know that you will be playing soon at Provinssirock, one of the biggest Finnish festivals. What other plans has the band for the rest of 2009?

Hopefully more club gigs. We’re planning 20-years jubilee tour for next fall and winter. Composing new material is of course great challenge for this year.

Anything you want to add for the readers?

Just “lööv”!

Q&A with Juha-Pekka Aunola

Most influential bands in your life?

AC/DC, Faith no More

{mosimage}Last CD you heard?

A Perfect Circle; Thirteenth step.

Who is the one in the band who drinks more?

We don´t drink, at least not too much.

Is there anything you did on stage that you felt ashamed next morning?

Nothing, or maybe just few mistakes.

What is the coolest Finnish band you have shared stage / backstage with?

Toni Kandelin

Photos extracted from the band´s official MySpace site and Official site. 

For more information visit:

www.brusselkaupallinen.com

Interview with Jan Kuehnemund of Vixen

In the rock scene, there are women who have really made history and it would be nice just to remember them a bit since media does it only when there is something to get and never takes it as just a matter of rock & roll.

Women and their bands that are part of the rock history? Girlschool, Doro, Lita Ford, Joan Jett, Heart, L7, among others of course. All of them are important and unforgettable. We bring you a bit of this history, talking about a band that was worldwide famous in the 80's as the "hard rock queens", "the female Bon Jovi" in a time when, although it may seem a little out of date nowadays, it was REALLY a big thing. Our fireworks go to VIXEN and its "man", the wonderful woman who's been leading it and keeping the band alive, Jan Kuehnemund, band leader and guitarist of this 100% female rock representative Hard Rock band who's got to a stage and to a level only a very few women got in rock business when talking of an 100% female band.

Vixen

You founded Vixen in the 80´s and very fast the band got to a level only a few women´s band got to. Nicknames such as the Hard Rock Queens, the Female Bon Jovi were adjectives all rock fans agreed to give you. Could you tell us a bit of what it has represented to you as a musician and as a woman? Was it more special, a better victory for the fact of being a “woman in a man´s world” according to society patterns?

Actually, I just wanted to mention that we worked very hard for quite a long time, before we got signed, and had any success. In the beginning, the original band from Minnesota played all around the USA for several years, then one by one 3 of the 4 original members left the band and were replaced, eventually ending in the lineup with Janet, Roxy, Share and me. Once that lineup got signed, things came together more quickly, and that’s the story most people know! When we started to have some success in the late 80’s and heard the band being called the “Female Bon Jovi”, etc., we were honored and thrilled!! It did feel like it was an accomplishment both as musicians and as women, playing rock & roll in a mostly (back then) man’s world. I don’t know if it was a better victory, but we were enjoying the ride, and doing what we loved doing, and we just happened to be women!

In the band´s official website I read a new album is coming out. What kind of changes can we expect for the coming album and what hasnt´s changed at all in the bands attitude and music? When is it going to be ready and debuted?

We learned a lot while recording Live & Learn, and we certainly hope to put all that we’ve learned into our next record!What has NOT changed, is our love & respect for each other, our vision for Vixen, and our love of music, and our attitude about wanting the band to progress, and make more records and continue writing and touring, and keep getting better and better at all of it! We don’t have a release date as of yet for the new record, but we will post updates on our website as we have them – www.vixenrock.com

Have you ever stopped working with music? What have you done in your career and in your life besides Vixen?

No, I’ve never really stopped working in music! When Vixen broke up, I worked with a guy band, POULATION 361, for the first time in my life and I really enjoyed that, also!! I also worked with some other female friends and songwriters, and our band was called DRAWING DOWN THE MOON. We released a CD called Angel In My Dream.

What made you decide to go back with the band and how did you choose the new line-up?

My manager that I was working with in 2000, came to me and asked if I’d consider working with the old lineup again, even though we’d just been through a lawsuit and weren’t on the best of terms. I said yes, so then he asked the other girls if they’d consider working with me again, and Roxy & Janet said yes. Share had her band Bubble going and so she declined, so Janet, Roxy & I, along with bassist Pat Holloway did a “reunion” tour in 2001 called The Voices of Metal Tour with Vince Neil, Ratt and Slaughter. Part way through the tour, things on the road were not working out so well, as it was a really rough tour. So when I saw it all falling apart, I had to decide if I wanted to call it quits, or try to find new members to replace all 3, and finish out the tour. I chose the latter, and miraculously I found Jenna, Lynn & Kat, and we finished out that tour and we’ve been together and going strong ever since!! I truly feel that was a miracle!!

Can you remember your first gig? How old you were? Who were you playing with? How did you feel? What memories from this day you carry until now?

I can remember one of the first gigs for sure. It was at a roller rink, with the original members from MN, Cindy, Gayle & Laurie, and the audience age was from about 4 – 16 years old, and we were about 15 or 16 ourselves! We signed autographs at that show, so we felt really excited about that! Then when we were all done playing and our equipment was packed up, I called my dad, who was our very first roadie, to come pick us up! He had built a little trailer especially for us and our equipment, to haul us around town! I still carry all those great memories with me, to this day!

Vixen

Unfortunately we cannot see a large number of women really working as musicians in the rock scene. Why do you think most of women don´t get attracted by rock ´n roll? What do you call rock attitude? Any example?

There are definitely more females in rock & roll today, as players/musicians than there were in the past. I think women ARE attracted by, and to rock & roll, in the role of playing it themselves, more and more every day. I think that is really great!! I would call a “rock attitude” a feeling, a vibe, a love of music and sometimes including the rock & roll “style” that goes with it. Examples that come to mind are: Joan Jett, Lita Ford, Pat Benatar, Ann & Nancy Wilson, to name just a few. Pure “rock attitude” – all of them!

“If somebody could write my biography, the title could be Vixen: A Little Girl’s Big Dream"”

What has attracted you?

The love of music – creating it, playing it, listening to it, living it, loving it!

Do you think a woman has a more difficult path to walk on and has to “prove” more than men to achieve goals?

I think it’s easier today because there are more proven successful female artists/musicians in rock. From past experience, yes, we did sometimes feel like we had to “prove” ourselves. There were times when we were asked if there were really guys behind the curtain on stage playing our parts!

Do you like to listen to your past stuff, watch pictures, read articles and interviews, do you listen to your own music a lot? Does it feel good?

I don’t listen to our old stuff very often, or read old interviews, etc., very often. But if I happen to hear or see one of our videos on VH1 or hear a song on satellite radio or something, I still do get excited and it makes me smile, and yes it feels good!

Among all your stuff, which one do you consider the best and why? And what has been the best moment for you so far? Why?

Edge of A Broken Heart is still one of our best songs, I think, because that song was our first single, and it put us on the charts and on MTV, and is the song people know us best for! One of my favorite and best moments and one of my best memories, is still, the night we heard our 1st album – “Vixen” – had gone gold!! We were in France on tour with the Scorpions, and we had the night off, and our manager called us at the hotel, to tell us our record had gone gold!!! I remember thinking and feeling that we, at this moment, had accomplished something big!! It was a feeling of – wow – we “did it” and it was like my original dream was coming true!

If you leave behind “Jan the rock star” for a moment, what do you have to say about and how would you describe “Jan, the regular woman” who goes shopping, does the laundry. Do you enjoy it?

Haha! Yes! I enjoy it! I love shopping, being at home, cleaning to my favourite CD’s, reading, going for a walk, just going about my day, etc… it’s certainly a lot different from being on the road, but I love both, and I like to have a balance between the two…

Tell us something you cannot spend a day without doing.

I cannot easily spend a day without drinking coffee!

You have a long career and probably a lot to tell. If somebody wrote your Biography, how would its name be?

Hmmm….maybe something like, Vixen: A Little Girl’s Big Dream

If you hadn´t become a musician, what do you think you would have been?

Wow, I’m not sure! I believe it would have been something that involves being creative, though…

Vixen

Which other female rock stars do you admire? Is there any actual band with female members you like to listen to?

I admire Ann & Nancy Wilson, Pat Benatar, Lita Ford, Joan Jett, and many more…I like Evanescence!

I don´t know if you´ve got a play list but could you tell us your moment top 5?

1. FOO FIGHTERS (any of their CD’s)

2. I will be getting the new U2 record – No Line on the Horizon, I think it’s called. I just heardone of their new songs and loved it!

3. FUEL ( I still listen to their 1st 2 CD’s)

4. GAVIN DeGRAW5.

I need something else NEW to complete my top 5! 

Leave us a message!

Wow – that’s a tall order! ; )I would first like to say THANK YOU to all who have supported Vixen, back then, all through the years, and now!! We love you and thank you all for your very loyal support!!! : ) Follow your dreams, believe in miracles, believe in yourself, stay true to yourself, don’t give up on your dreams, no matter how tough it seems, try to smile even when you don’t feel like it, live each day to the fullest, tell your family and friends often – how much you love them, try to love even those you don’t really want to, forgive (it will make you feel better!), and at the end of every day, pause and think about as many things as you can, that you have to be grateful for! Much Love, Peace & Rock & Roll!! 

For more information about Vixen visit:

www.vixenrock.com

Read more articles from Maila Kaarina at:

www.hardblast.com