Chantola
Published on Sunday, 28 August 2011 11:38
DJ News Magazine : Hi Henrik, welcome to Dj News Magazine. In order to tell us about yourself and your news, how are you today?
Hey, and thanks so much for having me. I’m actually sitting on a sunny terrace in Ibiza town while answering to your questions. I have my 10 days off from work and gonna spend them all here. It’s so cold in Finland right now. So I feel more than Fine! =)
DJ News Magazine : You are a young Finnish DJ/Producer, what can you say about you, about your musical influences and where did this passion for the music come from?
Yeah, you are right. I think 24 years is a pretty tender age in the nowadays scene. The passion for electronic music actually came while I was living in Germany when I was ”younger”. That time the electronic music was on the TV, radio and everywhere. The music was mainly trance that time and the biggest artists for me where ATB, Blank & jones & Cosmic Gate to name a few.
DJ News Magazine : What is the influence of Electronic music in Finland and Scandinavia countries in general?
To be honest the scene here in Finland is pretty small. I live in the city of Turku which has about 200 000 inhabitants. The parties are small and you can’t book any big names because the risk is too big. Although i love the intimacy and originality on the parties. There are lots of talented DJ’s to be discovered. 2 Dj’s from Turku who are known worldwide are Darude & Jori Hulkkonen. The clubbing capital of Finland has to be the Helsinki though.
Scandinavia in General!? What I know the electronic music isn’t the thing in any nordic country. Sweden has Axwell, Ingrosso etc etc. But they are more known abroad than in their homeland. But in a nutshell - If you want to succeed you have to get famous outside Scandinavia.
DJ News Magazine : Which music style do you prefer to play and who are the Dj’s/Producers that influenced you?
I can’t wrap my head around one particular genre. Every night & crowd is different. But I mainly prefer House, tech house & progressive. The ”dutch house” is taking over the world by storm and I’m lovin it! But to describe my style in couple of words: Dirty bigroom sounds! The DJ’s/artists that influence me at the moment are Mar-t, Joris Voorn & ATFC.
DJ News Magazine : In order to understand your influences better, if you had five tracks from any age to play for someone who is not familiar with your style, which ones would they be?
Like said earlier I don’t want to get stuck in one particular genre. The following tracks are tracks that are influenced me over the years and they still give me goosebumbs when I hear them. The first has to be ”Global Experience - Madras”. So brilliant it never gets old! Second track has to be ”Rui Da Silva - Touch Me”. I just close my eyes and float away. Third one is definitely ”4 Strings - Diving”. I still love that song, it reminds me of all the good aspects that trance used to have. fourth track has the be ”Chicane - Saltwater”. What a classic. I could just listen to this again and again and keep on smiling forever. The fifth and final example is something I would play today. ”ATFC - It’s Over”. Bigroom vocal track with some old school elements. Love the feeling in that song. So strong tune!
DJ News Magazine : Personally, I had discovered you last year on Opus Tertio compilation mixed by French Dj/Producer Mr Sam which we find two of your productions, the absolutely massive “Shangaï Story” and awesome “Farewell”. What can you tell us about these productions create with your friend Jussi Vuorivirta?
I met Jussi in 2004. We had talked over the internet about music and music production in general. Changed opinions about tracks etc. Finally we met face to face and started to plan some tracks together. It was a match made in heaven, haha. I was a DJ and Jussi where a full armored producer. He had the knowledge and tools, I had ideas and a vision how the tracks could work on the dancefloor. It took some time but finally in 2009 our first production called ”Passion” was released. About the Opus tertio tracks: Mr sam personally contacted me. He wanted something similar to ”passion” to be made to his new mix compilation. The deadline was very strict. I think we had 2 weeks time. Jussi where in Shanghai that time and we where thinking that it was impossible to do this in 2 weeks. We changed some ideas over the internet and locked our selves into ”Spiritus & Asper studio” in Helsinki 2 days before the deadline. And the rest is history, haha!!! ”Shanghai Story” was signed straight away. Mr. Sam liked it so much he wanted an other track as well, and then we did Farewell.
I’m so thankful we met, because without Jussi I wouldn’t be here where I am right now. We still have plans and there are some remixes and Spiritus & Asper releases scheduled - so stay tuned.
DJ News Magazine : You are working on “Wrongside Business”, your first artist album, is there any exclusive information about this album you would like to share with the readers of Dj News Magazine?
Right! It’s 90% ready. Tracks are being mastered as we speak and last tweaking will be made in the coming few weeks. I can’t say anything from the label, but the style will be different. It’s very deep and almost every track is made in full length for Dj’s to spin.
The first single from the album will be titled ”Ibiza Soul” and that will definitely give you an good impression of what to expect from the rest of the album.
DJ News Magazine : What is the most important to you when you producing music and where do you find your inspiration?
That’s a tricky question. I usually start producing a track with a kick, snare and some percussion. Then I make the bassline and after that I start to add more elements to it. I don’t usually have any riff playing in my head. I just open the sequencer and let the ideas flow. I want my tracks to be something I would buy or play myself.
DJ News Magazine : You are supported by famous producers such as Armin Van Buuren, Markus Schulz, Mr Sam, Leon Bolier, Menno De Jong to name only a few and your tracks are signed on famous records such as Black Hole Recordings, Spinnin’Records, Bonzaï Music and many more. I think you should be very proud of the work you’ve accomplished so far?
I really am. I feel so honored I have no words. It’s a dream come true. It is something I have dreamed and worked for so long and so hard. But this isn’t still enough! I’m hungry, and I want more! =)
DJ News Magazine : You also created your own radio show, can you tell us more about it and on which radio station it is aired?
Yes. Its called ”I Bring My Own Background Music” and it is aired on www.eye1radio.com. The show is on air every second Wednesday and it usually contains 1 hour mix by me and 1 hour guest mix by some well known or upcoming dj. By far I have had Guests such as Darude, Mr Sam & Storyteller to name a few. If someone who reads this is interested on having his or her mixes to be heard don’t hesitate to contact me. I will get back to you in some form as soon as possible.
DJ News Magazine : How do you see the following of your career, are there things you definitely want to realize?
I would like to do music as my main income. I’m working on an advertising company as a graphic designer and I feel I would have so much more to give people if I could do more gigs and produce more music.
DJ News Magazine : Do you have a website, MySpace, Facebook…where people can discover your world?
Yeah. www.chantolamusic.com, www.myspace.com/chantola and you can also find me on facebook. I try to keep everything up to date but sometimes it’s hard when there is so little time. At least you can find useful information about upcoming gigs, releases and contact info in case you want to book me. =)
DJ News Magazine : We arrive at the end of the interview but before, do you want to say anything else to your fans?
I want to thank everybody who has supported me - bought my music, listened to my music and come to see me on my gigs. To all the party people on planet - Keep on raving and keep the fire burning ;)
DJ News Magazine : And our famous last question, some quick words to Dj News Magazine?
You guys rock!!! and I hope you never stop raving!!! ;)
Thank you very much Henrik, it was a great pleasure and we wish you the very best for the rest of your career.
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