"The Ark" likes to be bright on a stage

The conversation with the keyboard player and sound engineer Jens Andersson and the bass player Leari (Lars Ljungberg) from The Ark takes place in Ruisrock festival 2007, Turku, Finland just some hours before their performance on the main stage. This year they have been active not only with releasing their fourth album Prayer For The Weekend and touring around, but  they also did something unusual as they call it themselves – The Ark represented Sweden in Eurovision Song contest 2007.

Agnija Kazuša: First of all, could you tell me about your summer activities?

Jens Andersson (J.A.): In summer we are touring across Scandinavia, mostly in Sweden, but also in Denmark, Norway and Finland. We have about 35 gigs during the summer, festivals around.

Do you have certain plans with your new album which has just been released?

J.A.: We released the album in April. And then we are gonna be touring in Europe: Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria.

Could you tell about the writing process of your last album?

J.A.: We started recording quite early. Last year in January we started to do the demo for the album. And then I and Ola recorded the first demos for the album, then the whole band got together and we did the songs with the band in our studio. After that we had songs as good as we could get. And then we went to the studio and recorded the whole songs again. It took quite a long time to do the album, but it was worth doing it.

Who does usually write the lyrics and music? Is it Ola?

J.A.: Yeah, Ola does the whole thing.

Now you have four albums released. Which of them does represent you the most?

J.A.: I don’t know. The first three albums are quite different from each other. The first one is quite playfull and there are a lot of different songs. The second one is darker, but about the third one: the production is much smaller, the sounds are smaller and everything is smaller and a little bit more electronic. So, the fourth one is kind of a mix between all three. So maybe the new album is the best one, it’s a mixture between all the three albums.

What is the thing that makes you original in your music?

J.A.: I think there are a lot of things, for example, the way we dress on a stage.

Is it important for you?

J.A.: Yes! Very important!

Why?

Leari (L.): I think if we have got a stage, why don’t we do something with it?

J.A.: Just to go up with T-shirt and jeans – it’s quite boring. So we do something spectacular with the show.

So, you are preparing for every gig.

J.A.: Yeah, we are preparing. We don’t have like new style every gig, but this tour we have a couple of different outfits that we change and for every new tour we try to have something new.

How did you get the idea to participate in Eurovision Song Contest this year?

L.: I think the whole idea was to do something unusual for us, just to do something that people didn’t expect us to do and then see what happens.

J.A.: We also had an invitation to participate, but first we said no, and then we had this song and we thought it would be good there and yeah!

Are you satisfied with the results?

J.A.: With the Swedish results, yeah. With the [European – A.K.] result - maybe not, but with the show and everything – we are satisfied. We are satisfied with what we performed. 

What do you think about this competition?

L.: Actually in Sweden we have this history with ABBA. So in Sweden the Eurovision is quite big, but I don’t know about European. 

J.A.: I think it could be a good thing for the new artists to be there and also it’s a good thing because so many people see you at the same time. I mean for us it’s another way how to get to people in Europe, because we have been working for 15 years and this is not the last time we meet people in Europe. It’s a good thing to be seen by people who hasn’t seen as before.

And maybe there are some other unusual things you are going to do?

J.A.: Yeah, we are trying to. (Laughing) 

L: This was the most unusual thing and it’s one in the life time. And I think now we are gonna concentrate on doing our music, do rock again.

You said you have travelled all around. Maybe there’s some special country, some special audience you like a lot and which inspire you?

L.: I think the third album was a little inspired by New York, because Ola was there and he liked it.

J.A.: For now we haven’t been to Eastern Europe, but we would like to do that. And we would like to go back to Asia. We have been to Japan only once. And, of course, we want to go back to America; we have a lot of fans there, especially in New York and San Francisco also. We want to go over down and play. 

You have never been to the Baltic States either.

J.A.: No, that would be really, really nice for us.

Actually we are going to have a big festival in Latvia (Positivus AB) and there was a forum discussion on festival’s website that people would like to see The Ark.

J.A.: Yah? I know we have quite a lot of fans that we get on MySpace…That’s nice!

When you go to other countries, is it just for music or do you also pay attention to the certain country?

J.A.: It depends on how much time we have. Usually when we are travelling in Europe, we play at night, then we have to go to the bus and go to the next city, but sometimes we have a day off and then we can take a walk around the town and try to see the thing.

What do you prefer – small clubs or big festivals?

J.A.: It also depends. 

L.: There are two different things. It’s fun to do in small clubs and it’s fun to do in big festivals. 

J.A.: I think I prefer clubs, because then it doesn’t matter if it’s raining. If it’s raining, it’s not boring, but you feel a bit sad for the people who have to stand in mud and rain. And in clubs it’s always dark insight, you can have a nice light show. I think I prefer playing at clubs, but also the festival can be magic, because there are so many people, like 15 - 20 000 people seeing it. 

What is the most extreme place where you have played at?

J.A.: Once in Norway we played on a small stage just by the sea. So, the sea was here and it was raining and the wind was blowing. It was really, really wet and everyone was in mud. And the storm came in on the stage and it was raining into the stage as well. And it was really, really cold, so it was hard to play. And also one time we played in our hometown in Sweden where we grew up. We played in February out in a square. It was 17 degrees minus and it was really, really cold.

As you are not from Stockholm how does your hometown inspire you for music?

L.: Actually we don’t live in our hometown, now we live in Malmo.

J.A.: I think the fact that we grew up in a small town where was nothing else to do than play music or play football. And we played music.

L: I think that growing up in a small town is quite good, because the whole independent youth culture is all mixed.

J.A.: You can create your own style. For example, Stockholm, New York has their own style, but in a small town it never reaches you, you can create your own home style.

So, the same has happened to you.

J.A.: Yeah, definitely.

L.: And that’s special about us.

J.A.: And that we still work together and know each other for the whole life.

What do you listen yourselves today?

L: I think I listen to a lot of music, but what we listen together is mostly 60 - 70s music, glam rock, the whole hippy era.

J.A.: Some electronic, like Kraftwerk and German kraut music [krautrock – A.K.] is good as well.

Have you discovered some new bands lately?

J.A.: It’s difficult with the new bands, because there’s so much music from the old ones.

L.: Not a lot of new bands actually. I think it’s too much music nowadays.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music?

J.A.: I like to produce music. I produce music with other bands. I work in a studio and do that kind of work. But when we come home from the tour we feel tired and almost empty and then you just can’t do anything. You just walk around.

L.: You talk to friends, have dinner, meet up people.

J.A.: Yeah, when you come back it’s good to meet people you haven’t seen for so long.

Festival Positivus AB remains positive

When: July, 2007
Where: Salacgrīva, Latvia

Very neat, in a calm and positive atmosphere and with quite a small, but specific audience has passed the first two days music festival Positivus AB taking place in Salacgriva from 27th to 28the July. Though the organizers had hoped to get bigger attendance, it collected no more than 6500 people including many foreigners from Estonia, Russia, and UK who could enjoy musicians on two stages, movies from a special tent and some theatre activities.

It seems like the weekend when Positivus AB took place was one of the “hottest” one in a meaning – it was so many outstanding events happening in Latvia that you had to think hard to make a good choice. The visitors of Positivus AB first day didn’t seem to regret their choice. Mumij Troll is a band which regularly comes to Latvia and is well expected here as well. This festival they had prepared a new program and could successfully attract the audience. Badly Drawn Boy – as I attended only the second day of the festival I was lucky not to see the first hard minutes of band’s performance – the audience was quite small, only later it became more active. The music legends lovers enjoyed Malcolm McLaren – a musician, self-publicist and best known as the manager of English punk rock band Sex Pistols. Also Brett Anderson – a former lead vocalist of rock band Suede – was welcomed. He even sang some songs from Suede repertoire.

The second day - sunny

If people on the first day suffered some rain and muds the opposite was on the second day – late, shiny morning, people in the tent city slowly waking up and getting ready for the gigs starting at about 1 pm. It was Martin Confused who had to be the first one on that day. He is quite new Latvian singer-songwriter who has just lately appeared on Latvia music scene, but still – the activity from the audience is not big especially because there’s not a big audience at all. The next band is called S.P.B. They are also this year’s newcomers, and music journalists have already predicted them big chances and there’s no doubt about it: the band has made two big hits – Pearl Tears and Poet – and these songs have been valuated as really good ones. Although for Latvian music majority their indie pop/rock style seems to be still original, in England every other band has something similar to that kind of music. On a stage they don’t hide their shyness between songs thus showing themselves as modest and natural and only during the songs they get into the music so much that the energetic break-up made by their musical instruments is guaranteed.

The next band – R.A.P. – is already well known for the audience and actually seems to be the first one who manages to get rock in the audience. They play the songs which are quite well known, and the audience can sing along with the leader Artis Dvarionas. After that we can see Satellites LV – the band who existed a long ago before they interrupted their music activities and just now they have come together  to play again and offer new songs.

R.A.P. by Sanita Pumpure

As the next ones – indie and shoegaze band Tribes of the City with the graceful singer Ksenija who doesn’t only sing, but also talks about the necessary of such a festival. Then it’s always nice to see Hospitāļu iela – the band who always preserves originality and uniqueness and even today – they have many new interesting instruments making different sounds and during some songs there’s a rap musician who interposes some words between songs.

Swedes are impressed

With the next band it’s time to discover the first foreigners. Though we don’t need to look far – it’s our neighbors, Estonian band S.U.N. which has lately become quite active taking part in Latvian festivals and other musical events. This summer they seem to be here few times every month and maybe that’s why they are already well known for Latvian audience. Actually not only Latvian audience, there’s quite a lot of Estonians who get some greetings in Estonian from the band’s lead singer.

If the previous mentioned bands performed on the small stage or so called BBC stage letting the big stage (AB stage) to have some rest all the day, in the evening it can greet the first big acts. As the first ones – Swedish band The Concretes. According to the atmosphere just before their show I can conclude that this band is not very well known and welcomed for the audience – just some people waiting to see them, thin rows and mostly tense standing, not singing along with the charming singer during their performance. But the fact that the soloist can charm the audience is true – she talks a lot with the them, gives many compliments about Latvia as a beautiful country and Latvian girls being cute and guys – good looking. The audience likes it and they are interested to see the band (or maybe the lovely soloist) again after they have sang their last song, and here they come – some more songs, but not the audience’s expected “On the Radio”.

The Concretes by Sanita

Audience lover - James

And at last it’s time for the two headliners. One of them – English band Stereophonics. So, the audience is getting closer to the first rows and the band can be welcomed. Opposite The Concerts openness and attractiveness, the English guys seem to be quite neutral. They just do their job – sing the songs, still making the audience rocky and with last one - “Dakota” - giving the dessert to it. It’s a perfect ending and although the audience would have liked to hear some more songs, the set list remains the same. After that there’s still one band – James from Great Britain. According to the audience activity, it seems to be the most expected one. And it is! The lead singer is very friendly and nice. Many of their songs are well known for the older visitors and that’s why - give them good memories. Besides the singer is not only a good dancer himself, but to show his openness he invites some ten people on a stage to join him with dancing. One of the volunteers is Radio SWH DJ Egons Reiters who makes all the performance funnier for the audience. Totally James show lasts for about two hours and ends with positive feelings – just as the festival called Positivus AB should end. Afterwards there’s possibility to go back to the BBC stage where you can dance to some DJ music or just go to your tent.

James by Sanita Pumpure

All in all I can conclude that the festival as taking place for the first time was very good organized, but there’s still some nuances the organizer should take into the consideration next time: if there’s more people there should be more buffets inside and a transport provided for the ones who want to go home just after the last band. The smokers didn’t like the prohibition to smoke in festival area and for some other visitors it was surprisingly that it’s not allowed to bring in your own food as it is normal in similar festivals in other countries. Transport and more parallel activities while bands are performing, some other improvements – these are the things which the organizers promised to provide next year.

Ruisrock festivāls Somijā – roķīgs un dubļains

Kad: Jūlijs, 2007

Kur: Turku, Somija

Ja pagājušajā gadā Ruisrock festivālā Turku (Somijā) vajadzēja glābties no lielā karstuma, tad šogad lietus un dubļi, kas piemeklē vai ikkatru šīs vasaras sākuma festivālu, nebija izņēmums arī somu zemē. Taču, par spīti ne pārāk labajiem laika apstākļiem, vienu no Somijas lielākajiem festivāliem, kas notika no 6. līdz 8. jūlijam, pavisam apmeklējuši 65 000 cilvēku, otrajā dienā sasniedzot festivāla rekordu - 30 000 cilvēku. Festivālā šogad piedalījās vairāk nekā 50 grupas, to skaitā, amerikāņi The Flaming Lips, kanādieši Billy Talent, zviedri The Ark, angļi The Magic Numbers un The Pipettes, pašmāju Hanoi Rocks, Zen Cafe, The Rasmus, The Crash, Disco Ensamble un citas Somijas un ārzemju grupas.

Drakula iekrīt auditorijā

Ir piektdiena, pulksten viens dienā, kad festivāla teritoriju šķērso pirmie tā apmeklētāji. Šogad Ruisrock atklāj pašmāju garage rock grupa The Flaming Sideburns, kas uz Turku atbraukuši no Somijas galvaspilsētas. Jāteic, ka pirmās grupas statuss pavisam noteikti liek sevi manīt - tā kā skatītāji vēl tikai pamazām ierodas, to atbalsts grupai nav pārāk liels. Taču jau nākamās grupas par atbalstītāju pulku sūdzēties nevar. Tā piemēram, ļoti spilgti sevi parāda angļi The Horrors, kas skatītājus iebiedē un vienlaikus uzjautrina ne vien ar melno, drūmo un savam nosaukumam atbilstošo ārējo izskatu un dažkārt izbļāvienu formā izrunātajiem dziesmu vārdiem, bet dažādām izdarībām uz skatuves un pat skatienu. Festivāla apmeklētāja Sanita, kurai The Horrors uznāciens simpatizējis, stāsta, ka vispamanāmākie esot bijuši grupas solists un taustiņinstrumentālists. „Solists uzstāšanās laikā kā palīgus izmantoja dažādus darbarīkus – vispirms lielas skrūves, ko viņš centās ieskrūvēt sev galvā, tad flaķenes, kuras beigu beigās tika iespraustas uz skatuves esošā operatora ausī,” – tā atceras Sanita, piebilstot, ka solists norāvis arī skatuves kreisās malas aizsegu, kuru tehniskie darbinieki gan pēc tam uzlikuši atpakaļ, bet ne uz ilgu laiku, jo melnais pārvalks The Horrors līderim tik ļoti iepaticies, ka viņš to norāvis vēlreiz, ietinies tajā un, tēlodams drakulu, iekritis auditorijā, kur nodevies tās pirkstu skārieniem un, kādu laiku vārtoties zemē, savu „priekšnesumu” nobeidzis ar vairākkārtējiem kliedzieniem: es to visu vairs nevaru izturēt!

The Horrors

Tajā pašā dienā pretēji The Horrors biedam sevi prezentēja arī angļu popa meitenes The Pipettes, kuras uz skatuves ne vien dziedāja sava pagājušajā gadā izdotā albuma We Are The Pipettes dziesmas, aktīvi dejojot tām līdzi, bet arī sarunājās ar auditoriju. Tā piemēram, kāda no dziedātājām brīnījās par pretī skatuvei piedāvāto gumijlēkšanas atrakciju, kurā viņai gan būtu bail piedalīties.

The Pippettes

Ievērības cienīgi palika arī pašmāju rokeri Damn Seagulls un Lapko, kā arī īpašas auditorijas ovācijas guva somu zemei eksotiskais amerikānis, soulmūzikas un R&B mākslinieks John Legend, kurš savu priekšnesumu papildināja ar aizrautīgo klavierspēli.

Husky Rescue svētvakars

Ja līdz šim Ruisrock festivālā bijušas četras skatuves, tad šogad tām tika pievienota Turku lielākā laikraksta Turun Sanomat telts, kur festivāla pirmajā dienā iespējas sevi izpaust tika dotas gan jaunajiem somu indie mūzikas stila pārstāvjiem, gan jau sevi pierādījušiem māksliniekiem. Piektdien, kad Turun Sanomat teltī pavisam uzstājās četras grupas, pieminēšanas vērti ir vakara galvenie mākslinieki – grupa Husky Rescue no Helsinkiem, kas savu mūziku pagājušā un šī gada laikā paspējuši atrādīt ne vien dzimtenē, bet arī Amerikā, Lielbritānijā, Īrijā un citās valstīs, turklāt tikko kā atgriezušies no lielākā mūzikas un mākslas festivāla pasaulē - Glāstonberijas. Ghost Is Not Real – tā saucas viņu šajā gadā izdotais albums, kura kompozīcijas, mijoties ar pirmā albuma Country Falls singliem, tika izpildītas Turun Sanomat teltī nopietnas noskaņas un nopietnu klausītāju lokā. Husky Rescue mūzika ir mierīga līdz brīdim, kad tajā nemanot tiek iekļauti bungu un ģitāru roka elementi, kas uz brīdi ļauj uzdejot gan skatītājiem, gan solistei Rētai-Lēnai...tad atkal mūzikā iestājas miers. Tiek radīta tāda kā svētvakara sajūta – tumšajā teltī uz skatuves iedegtas sveces, grupas dalībnieki saģērbušies pieklājīgos uzvalkos, un gribas teikt – spēlē inteliģentas un pārdomātas melodijas, bieži piedāvājot tikai garas instrumentālas pauzes, kuras attiecīgajā brīdī pārtrauc solistes savdabīgi smalkais balss tonis.

Husky Rescue

Festivāla pirmās dienas galveno statusu neapšaubāmi iemanto amerikāņi The Flaming Lips, kuri kā paši pēdējie uzstājas uz lielās skatuves. Viņu priekšnesumu var raksturot kā spilgtu, krāsainu un pirotehnikas brīnumu bagātu šovu. „Pat ja diena ir lietaina, kad uzstājas The Flaming Lips, lietus nelīst,” tā teica The Flaming Lips solists, un taisnība viņam bija – krāsaino šovu laika apstākļi neietekmēja.

The Flaming Lips

Ola’s nebeidzamā enerģija

Ruisrock otrā diena iezīmējās ar vislielāko skatītāju skaitu, ko varēja just kaut vai pārvietojoties no vienas skatuves uz otru – proti, neizpalika grūstīšanās un burzma. Otrajā dienā sev piemērotu mūziku atrada ikviens – gan kaismīgi metāla un roka fani, trakojot pie angļiem Marillion, somu Zen Cafe un Sonata Arctica, zviedru In Flames un japāņu D’espairsRay, gan arī vieglākas mūzikas cienītāji, baudot angļu The Magic Numbers, pašmāju The Crash, kuri gan savā uznācienā saglabāja dažādumu – roķīgas un straujas melodijas no pēdējā albuma mijās ar pārdomu raisošām un melanholiskām pirmo divu albumu noskaņām. Protams, neizpalika arī solista Tēmu Brunilas joki un spēja iedzīvināt auditoriju. Jaunākai publikai pie sirds gāja pēdējā laikā populārie somi Sunrise Avenue. Out of my life, Out of my mind...šķiet, šo Sunrise Avenue hītu Fairytale Gone Bad pēdējā laikā dungojuši daudzi. To pierāda ne tikai dziesmas pārdošanas apjomi un iegūtās balvas Somijā, Vācijā, Zviedrijā un citās valstīs, bet arī skatītāju drošā līdzi dziedāšana Ruisrock festivālā.

The Magic Numbers

The Crash

Nedrīkst aizmirst arī spilgtos zviedrus The Ark, pie kuru pēdējām aktivitātēm pieskaitāms ne tikai nesen izdotais albums, bet arī dalība šī gada Eirovīzijas dziesmu konkursā, pārstāvot Zviedriju. Ja Eirovīzijā zviedriem īpaši labi neveicās, tad uz Ruisrock skatuves gan viņi uzmanību piesaistīt spēj kaut vai tikai ar savu vizuāli pārdomāto šovu un solista Olas Salo nebeidzamo enerģiju. Uzstāšanās laikā viņš ne tikai paspēj trīs reizes nomainīt drēbes (viens no pārģērbšanās šoviem vērojams arī uz skatuves), bet piesaistīt auditorijas uzmanību ar dažādām sarunām par somiem, zviedriem, savām izpildītajām dziesmām.

Otrās dienas beigās līdzīgi kā pagājušajā gadā galveno viesu lomu ieņem somu leģendārie Hanoi Rocks, kurus labprāt vēro ne vien vietējā auditorija, bet skatītāju rindās izdodas sastapt arī kādu amerikāņu fanu, kurš par spīti pieklājīgajam vecumam (36 gadi) jau otro gadu mēro tālo ceļu no Amerikas uz Somiju, lai redzētu Hanoi Rocks dzīvē.

Lietusmēteļi un gumijnieki

Ja pirmās divas dienas lietus uzlija tikai dažbrīd, tad trešo dienu varētu saukt par visslapjāko, jo lietus nepārstāja mērcēt visas svētdienas garumā, un festivāla apmeklētāji, tērpušies lietusmēteļos un dažs labs gumijas zābakos, gribot negribot bija spiesti stāvēt dubļos un ūdens peļķēs. No muzikālā piedāvājuma šī diena bija vairāk veltīta dažādām Somijā ievērību guvušām rokgrupām, piemēram, Turisas, Egotrippi, Poets of the Fall, kā arī ārpus Somijas zināmajiem The Rasmus, kas nesen viesojās arī Rīgā. Vakara galvenā un līdz ar to arī festivāla noslēdzošā mākslinieka lomā iejutās ukraiņu izcelsmes amerikānis Gogol Bordello, kas ar savu grupu nu jau kļuvis par ļoti iecienītu somu auditorijas mīluli – Ruisrock festivālā viņš uzstājās jau pagājušajā gadā, un šogad viņu varēja redzēt gan šajā, gan citos Somijas festivālos.

The Rasmus

2007. gada Ruisrock festivāls rudzu ieskautajā laukā ir aizvadīts. Tā kā tas notiek aizsargājamā teritorijā, vides aktīvisti katru gadu satraucas par tā turpmāku iespējamību. Taču, neskatoties uz to, festivāla organizatori savā interneta lapā jau tagad apmeklētājus aicina uz muzikālo trīs dienu tikšanos arī nākamgad.

Raksts tika publicēts žurnālā "Popcorn", 2007.

Ruisrock festival comes with rock and mud

When: July, 2007

Where: Turku, Finland

Audience

If last year you had to escape from the hot sun in Ruisrock ferstival in Turku (Finland), this year rain and mud that occur in many summer festivals wasn’t an exception also in Ruisrock, 2007. But in spite of not so good weather conditions there were 65 000 in total who attended one of the biggest Finnish festival taking place from 6 to 8 July. There were more than 50 bands performing in the festival, like The Flaming Lips from America, Billy Talent from Canada, The Ark from Sweden, The Magic Numbers and The Pipettes from UK, home bands Hanoi Rocks, Zen Café, The Rasmus, The Crash, Disco Ensamble and other Finnish and foreign bands.

Dracula jumps into the audience

It’s Friday, 1 PM when the first visitors cross the territory of Ruisrock. This year Ruisrock is being opened with home, garage rock band The Flaming Sideburns, which has arrived from Helsinki. Have to say that the status of the first band is appreciable – as the audience is now arriving, the support for the band is not so big. Already the next band can’t complain about the amount of the audience. For example, The Horrors from England offers a very bright show – they terrify and at the same time amuse the audience not only with the black, woeful and for their name appropriate appearance, but also with various performances on a stage and even their eye look. Sanita, the visitor of the festival, who enjoyed The Horrors, tells that the band’s leader and the keyboardist were the most noticeable. “The soloist during their performance used many additional tools – first of all the big screws which he tried to screw in his head, then flat pliers which he plugged in the ear of the cameraman filming all this process,” remembers Sanita and adds that the leader also got down the black curtain of the left side of the stage, wrapped himself in it and like a Dracula jumped in the audience where everybody could touch him for a while, till he finished his ‘performance’ shouting: I can’t stand this any more.

The Horrors

In the same day unlike The Horrors ‘terror’ the audience could see English pop girls The Pipettes. They didn’t just sing the songs from their last year’s album We Are the Pipettes, but also danced a lot and talked to the audience. Afterwards you could also see home rockers Damn Seagulls and Lapko. There were huge cheering for American, soul music and R&B musician John Legend which added his performance with enthusiastic piano playing.

The Pippettes

The holy evening of Husky Rescue

Up to this time there had been four stages in Ruisrock festival, but this year one more stage was added –Turun Sanomat (the biggest newspaper in Turku) tent where on the first day of festival there was a showcasing chance for the new and not so new Finnish indie bands. It’s worth to mention the headliners of Turun Sanomat tent on Friday. It’s the band Husky Rescue from Helsinki which has showed their music not only in their motherland, but also America, Great Britain, Ireland and other countries, besides they have just come back from the biggest music and art festival in the world – Glastonbury. Ghost Is Not Real – this is the name of their latest album; on that evening the songs of it are being played together with the singles from their first album Country Falls  in a serious atmosphere to serious audience.  The music of Husky Rescue is calm till the moment when it’s being suddenly interrupted by the elements of drums and guitar rock…then again music leads to calmness. They create a feeling of holy evening – there are candles on a stage in the dark tent, the band members wearing polite suits and I would like to say – they play intelligent and thought-out melodies, often offering only long instrumental gaps which in the certain moment are being interrupted by the singer’s originally gentle voice tone.

Husky Rescue

On the first day the headliners of the festival is the band from the USA – The Flaming Lips; they perform on the biggest stage. Their performance is a bright, colorful show full of the wonders of pyrotechnics.

The Flaming Lips

Ola’s endless energy

The next day of Ruisrock came with the biggest amount of the visitors, and people could feel it while moving from one stage to the other – it was very crowded. On the second day everybody could find his or her music style – there were metal and rock fans, rioting in front of Marillion, Zen Café, Sonata Arctica, In Flames, D’espairsRay, and aslo the fans of easier music enjoying The Magic Numbers and The Crash.

The Crash

The younger audience enjoyed Finnish pop band Sunrise Avenue which has lately attracted the audience with their hit Fairytale Gone Bad. We also can’t forget the bright Swedes The Ark. The band has been very active this year not only releasing their new album, but also taking part in Eurovision song contest representing Sweden. If they didn’t succeed in Eurovision, it’s the opposite on the Ruisrock festival stage – they had a visual show added by the leader’s Ola Salo energy and attractive appearance which he changed for some three times.

The headliners of the second day were Finnish legends Hanoi Rocks which was being welcomed not only by the local audience, but there was also a guy from the USA to see them live. This was the second year when in spite of his polite age (36) he came to Ruisrock to see Hanoi Rocks.

Raincoats and wellies

The third day can be described as the wettest one because the rain came down all the day long, and the visitors of the festival wearing raincoats and wellies had to stand in the mud and water puddles. From the musical point of view this day was dedicated to many rock bands known in Finland, like Turisas, Egotrippi, Poets of the Fall and also The Rasmus. One of the headliners of the day and all the festival was Gogol Bordello who has become a very popular artist in Finland – he performed in Ruisrock already last year and this year he could be seen in this one and some other Finnish festivals.

The Rasmus

This year’s Ruisrock festival is over. Nevertheless the organizers of the festival in its homepage already invite everyone to the musical meeting next year.

Me and The Pippettes

Me and Husky Rescue

Me and The Ark

The Good The Bad & The Queen koncerts Aylesbury

The Good, The Bad & The Queen gig at Civic Centre

Aylesbury, UK, February 2007

Šis raksts publicēts arī portālā TVNET.

Apmēram stundas brauciens ar vilcienu no Londonas, un tavām acīm paveras Anglijas lauku vienkāršums, kas parāda jūtamu atšķirību no galvaspilsētas steigas. Ir svētdienas vakars un, kā saka kāda vietējā Aylesbury iedzīvotāja “brīnums, ka te svētdienā kaut kas notiek”. Un tomēr notiek – grupas Blur līdera Deimona Olbarna izveidotā apvienība, kurai pieaicināti basists Pols Simonons (Paul Simonon) no The Clash, ģitārists Saimons Tongs (Simon Tong) no The Verve un bundzinieks Tonijs Alens (Tony Allen) no Fela Kuti jeb kopā The Good The Bad & The Queen koncertē Civic Centre. 

Koncertvieta ir neliela. Tā atgādina kultūras namu, kur, iespējams, notiek arī cita veida pasākumi. Pirmo rindu aizņēmuši gados veci skatītāji, kas visticamāk ir The Clash, Blur vai The Verve cienītāji un grib redzēt kādreiz aktuālo Anglijas leģendu pārstāvjus spēlējam kopā. Pamazām piepildoties visai koncertzālei, gaidītais pasākums var sākties. Proti, vispirms kārta iesildītajiem. Nē, šoreiz tā nav kāda konkrēta grupa, ko The Good The Bad & The Queen gribētu izcelt. Skatītāju uzmanību diezgan labi notur vesela cirka mākslinieku plejāde, kas uz skatuves nāk viens pēc otra un rāda, ko nu kurš māk - rij uguni, izpilda lokanības trikus un citādi uzjautrina un izklaidē sanākušo publiku. Tikai pašās beigās sevi piesaka kāda mazpazīstama folk grupa un nospēlē dažas dziesmas, lai pēc divdesmit minūtēm dotu startu vakara naglām.

Melnām hūtēm galvās un uzvalkos tērpti uz skatuves uznāk The Good The Bad & The Queen dalībnieki un rada nopietnu pirmo iespaidu. Kā nu ne – nopietns vecums taču arīdzan! Gluži kā savā tikko iznākušajā albumā, kas plaši tiek reklamēts vai katrā Londonas mūzikas veikalā, viņi savu šovu sāk ar dziesmu History Song. Skatītāji uzmanīgi klausās, neizrādot ne mazāko aktivitāti, izņemot pāris cilvēkus, kas vairāk izskatās pēc ārzemju faniem, nevis vietējiem angļiem, un nebaidās mazliet padejot. 

Tikai pie jaunākā grupas singla Kingdom of Doom viņi ar ovācijām liek manīt, ka šī dziesma ir pazīstama, bet tad atkal seko uzmanīga uz skatuves notiekošā vērošana. Un ir jau arī ko redzēt! Vislielāko uzmanību piesaista Pols Simonons, kurš, pielicis sarkanu, plīvojošu lakatiņu pie savas bikšu kabatas, nekautrējas izrādīt šarmu un labprāt pozē fotoaparātu un mobilo telefonu zibšņiem. Te viņš eleganti nostājas pie Deimona klavierēm, te aiziet uz skatuves otru pusi pie Saimona. Jāuzslavē arī grupas līderis Deimons, kurš dziesmu skanējumā lieliski spēj iesaistīt dažādus mūzikas instrumentus. Viņš dzied, spēlē klavieres, pūš blokflautu un melodiku, kā arī iesaistījis muzikālos papildspēkus - vijoles un čellus četru daiļavu izpildījumā. Varbūt tāpēc viņam neatliek laika  runāt ar publiku starp dziesmām. 

Pēc Kingdom of Doom skan grupas pirmais singls Herculean, tad arī pārējās albuma dziesmas, no kurām ar dinamiskumu izceļas Three Changes. Koncerta beigās auditoriju lieliski uzjautrina musulmaņu izcelsmes reperis, kas pēkšņi uznāk uz skatuves un piedalās vienas dziesmas – kopdarba Mr. Whippy - izpildīšanā. Drīz pēc tam The Good The Bad & The Queen šovs beidzas, un skatītāji pēc neilgas we want more kliegšanas liek grupai vēl reizi atgriezties, lai nodziedātu koncerta pēdējo dziesmu.

Pols Simonons: "Mani iedvesmo cilvēki, kuriem ir mazliet aizrautības"

Saruna ar Deimonu Olbarnu (Damon Albarn) un Polu Simononu (Paul Simonon) no The Good The Bad & The Queen


Intervija publicēta arī portālā TVNET.

Interviewing Damon Albarn

Agnija Kazuša: Sveiki! Vai varu uzdot pāris jautājumus?
Damon Albarn: Esmu noguris. Varēšu atbildēt tikai uz vienu.
A.K.: OK. Kā jums radās ideja sanākt kopā?
D.A.: Pirms pieciem gadiem satiku Toniju Alenu. Mēs devāmies uz Nigēriju un pavadījām tur kādu laiku. Mēģinājām sākt strādāt, bet nebija “īstās skaņas”. Tad devāmies atpakaļ uz Londonu, es piezvanīju Polam Simononam, un mēs sākām ierakstīt šo albumu. Un te nu mēs esam. No kurienes Tu esi?
A.K.: No Latvijas.
D.A.: O, tas tiešām ir jauki! Bija patīkami tikties.

Agnija Kazuša: Kā jums radās ideja sanākt kopā?

Me and Paul Simonon

Paul Simonon: Man piezvanīja Deimons un jautāja, vai es gribētu noklausīties pāris dziesmas. Es aizgāju viņu satikt. Dziesmas izklausījās labi, bet, lai cik savādi tas nebūtu, mēs sākām spēlēt jaunas. No tā brīža tad arī šis projekts sākās.

A.K.: Vai tas būs ilgstošs?

P.S.: Mēs to nezinām. Es to esmu teicis Deimonam, un viņš man ir piekritis, ka viss noris dienu pa dienai. Redzēsim, kā tas attīstīsies. Varbūt jau rīt mums varētu būt kāds strīds, piemēram, ja viņam nepatiktu, kā es gatavoju olas (dziesmas Kingdom of Doom videoklipā redzams, kā grupas dalībnieki gatavo brokastis – A.K.). Es nezinu. Kurš gan to var paredzēt?

A.K.: Vai jums ir kādi īpaši plāni ar jauno albumu?

P.S.: Mums īstenībā jau tagad ir vairākas dziesmas. Ir jaunas idejas, ko attīstīt. 

A.K.: Varbūt idejas par vasaras festivāliem?

P.S.: Vasaras koncerti mums jau ir saplānoti. Tagad pēc šī koncerta mēs uzreiz dodamies prom. (Eiropas tūrē un vēlāk uz ASV – A.K.)

A.K.: Kā Jūs izskaidrotu, ka vēl joprojām uz skatuves esat enerģijas pilns?

P.S.: To sauc par aizrautību! Tas ir tad, kad tu kaut ko dari patiesi, no visas sirds. Piemēram, Pikaso bija kādi 70 - 80, un viņš turpināja gleznot. Tas ir iespējams!

A.K.: Tas pats attiecas uz mūziku?

P.S.: Jā, patiešām! Tev, protams, jāievēro pašcieņa. Es to domāju tā, ka tagad es nesākšu plātīties ar rokām un lēkāt pa skatuvi, jo esmu citā vecumā. To lai dara citas grupas.

A.K.: Ko Jūs domājat par jaunajām Anglijas grupām?

P.S.: Es īsti nezinu. Tā ir viņu darīšana, ne manējā, jo viņiem ir atšķirīgs vecums. Kā gan es varētu kaut ko teikt par viņu dzīvi un pieredzi, ja tam ar mani nav nekāda sakara? Esmu citos gados.

A.K.: Varbūt tomēr ir kādi favorīti?

P.S.: Es nezinu. Man vienkārši patīk laba mūzika.

A.K.: Kas Jūs tagad iedvesmo?

P.S.: Cilvēki, kuriem ir mazliet aizrautības. Patiešām! Tā ir mana iedvesma! 

Me, Vitnija and Tony Allen

Me and Damon Albarn