Thanks to Imre & Annika for permission ;)
http://www.thebulletreviews.net
http://www.thebulletreviews.net
So Do you want to talk about something then? Ville asks. Later when I playback the tape I blush when I hear myself say: Well, I could just sit here and stare at you
HIMs singer Ville Valo was in Amsterdam last week to talk about the bands new album. Dark Light will be released in the Netherlands on September 23rd, the day after their sold out show in Paradiso. Due to a series of coincidences, I was offered the opportunity to interview him. A chance I grabbed with both hands. I asked my best friend to come along so I had someone to take over if I lost the plot. And because she is a HIM fan, like me. Funny coincidence: this website was founded after visiting a HIM show with a friend, I would never have dreamed that my first interview for it would be with the same band!
Killing Loneliness vs. Wings of a Butterfly
Actually were here to talk about the new album, Annika rescues me while I recompose myself. I stumble when I feel his eyes resting on my red hot cheeks. I must look awful, but he keeps a straight face. Ok, cool! Have you heard it? Ville says. No? Well, its finished and were very happy with it. Its kind of a combination between Love Metal and Razorblade Romance. I would play it to you, but I didnt bring it.
I: Ah, its pink!
V: No, its gonna be blue! Dark and blue, Razorblade was bright and pink. I meant music wise. Its got a similar kind of vibe to the single, Rip Out the Wings of a Butterfly. Its very direct. Well probably call it Wings Of.. on the radio. We thought wed shortened it up, because its such a long title. Like Join Me in Death which weve shortened to Join Me.
I: I heard that Killing Loneliness would be the first single. Why did it change to Butterfly?
V: It changed because Killing Loneliness sounds very similar to one of the singles from Love Metal; The Sacrament. Theyre both ballads and we felt that an up-tempo rock track would be better as a first single. Its more representative of the new album. It was difficult picking the singles this time, because its the first time that an album will be released in a lot of countries simultaneously, so it has to fit the different markets.
I: How do you select the tracks that are going to be singles?
V: Well thats usually with the label and friends. Weve been working with the material for a long time already and theres always a couple of songs that pop up that appear to be more suitable for radio. Theyre a bit shorter and more straight to the point, without too much weirdo shit happening.
Nervousness, Gone With the Sin, Daniel Lioneye and Halloween
I heard HIM play two other tracks of the new album when I was at the Rock Am Ring festival in Germany in June; Killing Loneliness and Vampire Heart. The last one was great, but something happened during the other track and Ville seemed to be very pissed off about that. I was wondering what went wrong.
V: I was pissed off, yeah! Unfortunately our bass broke down and it screwed up the song. I cut it off before the end, it didnt sound right.
I: Those festivals in Germany (Rock Im Park on June 4th, Rock Am Ring on the 5th) were the first gigs you played after spending a few months in America recording the album, werent they?
V: Yeah, we were very nervous. Well, were always nervous, but you know not playing and than all of a sudden playing at a big festival Of course its weird, especially when were playing new stuff. We hadnt really rehearsed it, so that made it more nerve wrecking. We just flew in and after that we had to fly back to New York, so we had a tremendous jetlag.
I: How do you pick the songs you play on a tour or a festival?
V: Were kind of Not lazy, but we have a couple of favourites, though theyre not singles, but most of the time we play stuff that are singles, because especially at festivals thats the stuff most people know. Its simple. When were playing club gigs we dont want to play too long, we do like an hour and fifteen or an hour and twenty minutes. What we try to do now, or what weve been doing is not playing a lot of our ballads and more being rock directed. Its nice. Theres still people complaining that were not doing the ballads, like Gone with the Sin, but you know you cant do it all. Its just the mood of the band.
I: Gone with the Sin is a classic.
V: Its a really really nice track, but it is pretty hard to get it going. Its a simple production, but its hard to get it to sound right. Were still lacking like two more guitar players.
I: Well, you can play
V: Nah, not well enough.
I: What instruments do you play?
V: A bit of bass, a bit of guitar, a bit of drum.
I: Yeah, we saw you drumming on stage with Daniel Lioneye [side project, fronted by HIMs guitarist Linde]. Do you get questions about that project now that Bam [Margera, from MTVs Jackass] is using The King of Rock n Roll as an opening track for his show?
V: Well, its Lindes song, so Were getting a little money out of it and we got asked by CKY, the band of Bams brother, to go on tour with them, but were not gonna do it. Its Lindes project, but he never wants to talk about it. It was basically something we did when getting drunk and enjoying the moment, having a good time really. Doing something different than HIM for a bit, but you know it was enough that we played like two gigs. Three actually.
I: Youve said that you might make a tradition out of playing on Halloween. V: Yeah, that would be a nice thing. Were actually on tour in the US with Halloween this year. Its not a big thing in Scandinavia, they dont celebrate it. Not like they do in the US. Its gonna be good!
I: I flew to London last year for the Halloween show.
V: Yeah? Good stuff! How was it?
I: I loved all the people wearing costumes and you guys with the makeup and fake wounds! And the change in the setlist was good too, opening with Soul On Fire instead of Buried Alive By Love, made a nice change.
V: Yeah, we threw it around a bit for the occasion.
Instrumental music
With HIM making our favourite kind of music lots of guitars, singer with a sexy voice, great lyrics- we were wondering which bands Ville listens to himself at the moment. He needed a few seconds to think about that.
V:Theres a German band called Bohren und der Club of Gore. Its doom jazz. Its very weird. Theyve got a bass and an electric piano, its like a jazzconcept. Its instrumental and sounds a bit like film noir kind of stuff, but slowed down and no vocals. Its very like.. very doomy and gloomy, you know. Thats a very good band, theres an album called Black Earth. If you put it on and like do whatever, like doing the dishes or reading or whatever it makes you feel totally like being stoned. It kind of just slows you down.
I: I always find it hard to listen to instrumental music, like Apocalyptica. Theyre great live, but I wouldnt buy an album.
V: Yes, theyre very good live, very entertaining. I dont like instrumental music that much, but I listen to dub and reggae. Its based on rhythm and I like hypnotic music. Its like an addiction. I dont listen to trance or jungle, its way too fast for me. I could only listen to it if Id do speed, but I dont like speed. Or E.
I. So you dont listen to it.
V. Exactly.
Ville and the internet
When it fell silent for a few seconds, I looked up at Annika who had said very little so far. Was she lost for words, or just thinking I was doing a good job and had nothing to add? Before I could ask her, Ville started to speak again.
V: Bands should really stop downloading music and buy the albums instead. It might sound like a good idea because its cheap and easy, but theyre killing their own industry. The record companies wont sign new bands if they dont sell albums, theres no money for that. Theyd rather stick with the bands that sell than invest in new ones.
I: Do you ever go online and check out the messageboards?
V: Not a lot, not a lot. I dont have a connection back at my home. Im using the internet mainly to stay in touch with the American people who are working on the album. Of course I do surf a bit when that happens, but I never go looking for sites about the band.
A: Do you have any idea how much fuss your change of hair created on the forums and messageboards?
V: No
I: Everyone was going: oh no, not the hair!!
V: -Laughs- Wow cause it s all about the hair..! Thats cool. Tell them I looked like Gerard Way.
I: Do you know My Chemical Romance?
V: Well, I cant call them my friends, but I have met them. Were talking about maybe touring together sometime. They have some nice work and theyve got a similar sort of vibe as we have, you know, on an emotional level, but the music is different so wed fit very well together. Theyve got that punk edge and were more rock n roll. Itd be great. Its good to different things.
Future plans
Sadly, after a little over twenty minutes our time was up and we had to ask the last question. It seemed like we had just started talking to him, on the other hand it felt like we had been there for hours.
I: What have you got planned for the near future?
V: Were going to Japan next week to do promotion for the album and play at a festival. Then we come back and do a short tour in Europe. The single will be out in the middle of September [16th in the Netherlands] and then the album two weeks later. And then do loads of stuff and were gonna be away from home for three and a half months because were touring in the US.
Even though it was a very non-journalist thing to do, we decided to buy Ville something because we admire him. He has given us so much by making music, we wanted to return the favour, but not overdo it. Whats this? A book? Should I unwrap it? . Ooh! Thats lovely! I was actually pissed off the other day because all of mine are full. I really needed one of these! Thank you so much! We bought him a notebook.
I: Well be at the gig in Amsterdam, so well give you a wave. Thank you so much for the interview.
V: No no, thank you!
