Moon Shot: Ein glücklicher Zufall

0:00 Hi, hier ist Simon und willkommen beim Staff M Rock Talk. Bei uns im Sender schauen andauernd die unterschiedlichsten Rockgrößen vorbei. Klar, dass wir sie sofort ins Studio zerren und sie mit Fragen durchlöchern. Es geht um alles, neue Alben, alte Legenden und die besten Stories. Anfang des Jahres haben hier die finnischen Hardrocker Moonshot während ihrer Tournee vorbeigeschaut und ein bisschen was über ihr neues Album Thunderlast verraten.

0:23 Im Gespräch erzählen Wille und Jussi außerdem, wie Moonshot überhaupt entstanden sind, warum ihr Sound bewusst offen bleibt und warum ihr liebstes deutsches Wort Freibad ist. Spoiler, die zwei waren verdammt gut drauf. Tja, und außerdem hatten sie auch noch ihre Gitarre dabei. Und was sie damit veranstaltet haben, das hört ihr am Ende vom Interview.

0:42 Und damit viel Spaß beim Rocktalk mit Moonshot. Star FM Rock Talk. So, let's talk a little bit about your I mean, relatively new band Moonshot. I mean, you guys Ich bin jetzt schon seit... Wie viele Jahre ist es jetzt? Sechs, sieben Jahre. Aber ich meine, was ganz speziell über dich ist, dass du ein Finnish supergroup bist. Ich meine, du kommst aus von Finnland aus, wie auch.

1:13 Wie kam das mit dem Zusammenhang in der ersten Zeit? Ja, das war eine Kombination von vielen lucky things. So, mein früherer Band, Disco Ensemble, hat sich in 2018 Und dann mich und Mikko und mich, wir haben, wir wollten eine neue Rock Band und einfach, und wir wollen das für die Liebe der Sport. Erstens war es nur mich und Mikko.

1:38 Dann habe ich mich gefragt, Wille und ihn zu joinen. Das war eine spezielle Telefonnummer, die für drei Stunden dauerte. So we started to work on the songs right away. Then a bit later, next summer, 2019, it turned out that Henkka was available. So we just thought that, what the hell, let's ask if he would be interested.

2:06 And then he heard the songs and so on. So he said that, yeah, let's do this. And to that point, we didn't even have a name. So we actually decided on the name a bit later. So but anyways that that's how moonshot was, formed yeah and everything what it happened what happens around this band that has you know it has happened like organically and without you know planning too much and it's like that's why i kind of like it because this band is like you know, it means for me like like happy accident after happy accident after happy accident and then we're here, it's like that that's the way it goes of course we're like you know hard workers and, we're really pushing things but still at the same time we try to maintain this

2:54 kind of relaxed atmosphere this kind of like let's just play and see what happens, I always thought that when it comes to moonshot everything is a bonus, so that's the motto what do you mean with that because you haven't fought that far or what's the bonus I mean that like just because Because, you know.

3:18 The fact that this band exists and is alive, I think that's a small miracle itself. And since we have so many kilometers and years behind us, so it would have been kind of, in a way, natural to just move on to other things. But we all just, you know, love this and we want to keep on doing this. And for me, you know, when it comes to Finland, the circus are really small when it comes to rock music.

3:43 Und wie Gruppen und Leute, die Rockmusik in Englisch machen. So there are not that many people to pick from. So I think this is a miracle that these four guys actually are here and have this band at this age, you know, and time, you know. And all of the members, we really, you know, like and love this kind of, you know, music that we're doing, which is like, we don't have to think about that. Okay, this other one guy is like, you know, loving this tango thing.

4:15 He's just doing this for Moonshot. Aber wir alle, wir kind of preen und leben, leben, you know, durch dieses kind of music, which is like... Es ist interessant, as you said, because like, you know, Finland as being as like, you know, not as many residents living there, it still has like an insane amount of like bands coming out of Finland, you know?

4:33 So when you say like, it's like small circus of like bands doing English speaking or English language rock music, is it because there's like just so less people there? Or like, is it really just a very tiny scene where everybody knows everyone? It just feels like. Over the last, let's say, 15 years, 10 years, you know, when it comes to alternative rock music, there isn't that many people doing that, you know, and also singing in English.

4:58 The metal scene is a different beast, you know. There's a lot more people involved in that and it kind of has its own things and so on. And of course, Henkka is from Metal Scene, but still, for example, he was a big fan of Wille's previous band, Labko, which is not metal. The alt-rock scene, I feel that it has been struggling in Finland over the, let's say, 15 years, 10 years.

5:24 Yeah, and also it's like everybody wants to be in a band, but being a part of an internationally touring band isn't an easy thing to do if you have other life, other things happening in your life as well. So I think that's one thing that if you really want to make sacrifices, you know, for this, it means that, you know, you have to take the time from somewhere else.

5:52 And that's something I think that which is like driving, you know, musicians to that way that it's easier to stay in Finland or move towards metal world, you know, or whatever, you know. So would you consider it in Finland easier to make it as like a metal band because it's like a. The logistics are just better for this kind of music because there's more people into it?

6:18 I think so. The infrastructure and the traditions for that kind of music, everything is more evolved. As long as you're a good band, it's easier to get certain doors open than come to middle Europe, for example. And of course, because there are so many metal bands, the competition is quite hard. And only the best ones get to have a proper chance.

6:42 So, that also means the quality of Finnish metal is really good. I mean, yeah. I mean, when you think about Finland in music, heavy metal comes to mind or like extreme metal and stuff. I mean, for me personally, I think the first thing I, where I met like Finnish rock music was like with the ESC with like Lori, you know, it was like the one thing that stands out to me still today.

7:04 But you were saying like, you guys are playing like more alternative rock music. Wenn Leute listen to ihre Albums und stuff Es ist hart zu pute es in eine Niche oder ein proper Genre Es ist ein Merging von all sorts of stuff, Was sind die Sonic die wirklich stand out über Moonshot? Was definiert Sonnig-Leader-Band?

7:28 I think that we are not trying to be too loud and we are not trying to, I mean, we are all, you know, even though we are like really, we know what we are doing, but we're not screaming it. Und es ist vielleicht etwas, dass viele Dinge passieren unter der Surface. Und es ist wie hidden heavy metal, ich würde sagen.

7:57 Und es ist wie, dass das Heaviness ist, es ist, es ist, es ist, es ist da, aber es ist nicht, wir sind nicht, wir sind es in der most obvious Art, you know, if this ist answer. Das ist sehr, das ist sehr vague. Maybe you have a different take, too. Ja, für mich, ich denke, die Sonic-Referenz ist. Ich würde gerne zu rock-orientiert, hardcore bands und alt-rock bands von den, letzten 90ern, early 2000ern.

8:30 Ich denke, das Sound ist wie ich begann, so es ist etwas, das ich schaffe, every time I produce a record. So that kind of, I can't get rid of it in good and in bad. So, and also let's say bands like, you know, The Punch and the Clarity of Rage Against the Machine, let's say the first album, two first albums.

8:54 So it's quite close to my heart and refused to, ganz close. Also, wie nicht? Let's say bands like Muse, some stuff are great as well. So. Biffy Lyro. Yeah, Biffy Lyro. So I guess that sort of, indie based hardcore rock sound from like, let's say from Sweden or the States or Britain from like late 90s.

9:22 That's my cup of tea. The most influenced. Yeah, that's my cup of tea and I can't get rid of that. Ja, ja, ja. In a way, I think that, of course, you can take it as a burden, but thinking about Moonshot and our music style, I kind of love it that you can't put it in a certain box. You just have to...

9:48 If I imagine, let's say, a record store, and I don't want to be there labeled under this and this and this. I want to go everywhere. And it's like, that's how it should be. This should be supposed to be art, not like we're doing milk cartoons and stuff like that. It's an interesting picture, because that's where the difficulty is with genres.

10:12 Because as a music fan, you kind of know what you're into. Let's say you're into heavy metal or something So you go to a record store And, you flip through metal records And then, you find new stuff But when you are not fitting in any of the genres, New people finding you With traditional vinyl and stuff It's going to be difficult But in the age of internet For bands as you guys Who are all over the place musically In a good sense, Makes it a little bit easier But marketing wise Those marketing guys and PR guys they hate us because they can't put us, you know, stay there, stay there, we can sell you better then.

10:50 I always, you know, had this idea that great rock bands kind of, the band kind of defines the sound. Exactly, exactly. So I'm not saying that's easy, but. That's like the ultimate goal. Yeah, yeah. Sound like moonshot, you know, as we always have, but, you know, in a way that people actually know what that means. Ja, ja, ja. Ja, ja.

11:15 Wenn du dich über die Band, sagen wir Queen, was ist die Genre der Queen? Good point. Oder wenn du dich über die Band Ghost? Du musst du mehr wissen, du musst du mehr wissen. Du musst du mehr wissen, du musst du alles wissen. Es ist nicht nur, wie, dark Musik mit flavors von Achtes oder so. Du musst du mehr wissen. Und ich denke, das ist, wenn die Magic passiert.

11:41 Und ich meine, jetzt bist du ein ziemliches Band. Du hast zwei Rekord in den Shelfs und du hast eine andere Rekord in der Autumn. Du fühlst dich, dass du absolut entwickelt hast, oder ist es noch in development? Ist es noch immer, mit jedem Rekord, mit jedem Song du schreiben, gibt es noch neue Nuancen kommen in dieser Musik? Oder du denkst, okay, jetzt haben wir es gefunden und wir sind das Rote down.

12:07 I guess it has been ready in a way in our heads and the way we do music. But at the same time, I guess in a way we kind of move sideways, you know. At least that's how I would like to put it. Somebody else might say that we go backwards or upwards or whatever. But, you know, it's like we have been doing this for so long.

12:31 So in good and in bad, we are kind of set when it comes to, you know, making songs. But of course, you know, when new ideas come in and we work with those. Something nice happens and, you know, who knows what's coming up, but still, in a way, you know, it's, of course we evolve, but still, you know, I guess we have had the same skill set, you know, seven years ago as well, you know, but of course things sound different.

13:05 Yeah, yeah. That sounds complicated, but, you know, I don't know, I guess you know what I mean. Ja, es macht Sinn, das ist, dass du schon sehr glücklich bist, dass du bereits established musicians bist. Du bist nicht von scratch, wo du ein Rekord auf dem ersten Rekord hast, das ist der erste Rekord, die du ever gemacht hast und du bist nicht mehr wissen, was du in der Studio bist.

13:24 Du bist in der Gave lange genug zu wissen, was du bist. Ich glaube, mit dem ersten Rekord haben wir zu lernen, wie wir arbeiten und lernen, die Produktion und Songwriting processen. In diesem Sinne, das war eine learning-kurve. But with the second album and with this third one, we all kind of know how we're going to do this, which is a great thing.

13:44 Because there's not too much time to put in a certain thing. So we have to know what we are doing. So the process is kind of, we know what's going on. But the actual substance, that's like a dynamic thing that who knows what's happening, you know. Ja, especially, you know, when we've been writing this third album, we have learned how to do things without losing energy, you know, between the lines.

14:10 And it's like, I really like it that this overall sound, is there and it's familiar, but still it's like, for example, the second single we're going to put out in a couple of weeks and usually sent this final mix about that song. And of course I knew the song because I have been singing and writing that, but it's like.

14:34 It had got this kind of, Es gibt total neue Farben in es. Und es ist so, wie gut, weird, für mich. Okay, es ist immer Moonshot, aber die Leute in der Studio, sie haben einen schönen, Tag zu finden, und es hat nicht zu viel zu sein, aber es sind so kleine Sachen. So es ist wie, Sie können sich selbst auch beherrschen. Okay, was ist das? All right, cool, ich liebe das. Actually, ich liebe das.

15:06 So that's the spirit of the, I think it's called Thunderlust, right? Thunderlust, yeah. All right. So what do you see in general? I mean, those are some differences. What are the differences from the previous records on this one to what you've done before? I would say that this is way better. Well, I do hope so. Agreed, agreed. End of story. This is the best third album Musa I've ever done. Ja, ja, ja, ja. Aber, you know...

15:40 To be honest, I think that this is more catchy. You know, the power was catchy, but this is even more catchy, you know, somehow. It's more, it's punchier. And it's like, it's having like, you know, stories like we have evolved and we have, you know, gone further, you know. And I think that we have pushed, you know, edges, you know, further away, you know, somehow.

16:08 Ja, und für mich, ich tende zu schauen, diese kleine persönliche Wünsche, wenn es zu schreiben, und zu stellen, neue, Ideen in sie, und neue Sachen, neue Instrumente und was. So in diesem Sinne, ich wünsche, dass jeder Album interessant ist. Für mich und für mich, und natürlich für alle anderen Menschen, Aber für mich, ich muss es, das ist interessant für mich und das zu machen, ich bin froh und bin froh, dass ich das Gefühl habe mit dem 3rd Album auch.

16:50 So, die Dinge, die da sind, da sind, da sind es passiert. Good things, you know, lots of guitar loops and some nice arpeggios that I haven't incorporated before. So, and interesting arrangements. So it's, I'm hopeful that people will feel it. And we have had this kind of discussion because me as a singer, you know, it's like I'm thinking, most of all, I'm thinking about vocals.

17:23 Und wenn die vocals sind, und wenn es gut genug ist, ich bin kind of glücklich, und mein Stomach ist voll. Aber ich habe immer gesagt, okay, es ist gut, aber es ist nicht gut genug. Wir müssen etwas extra haben. Wir müssen uns für uns selbst und den Welt zu tun, dass warum diese Moonshot-Song ist nicht genug, wenn es vocals ist.

17:49 There has to be something else as well And I think That's when this kind of One plus one is three Happens, when. I'm satisfied, but Jussi is still saying Oh no, no, no, we're not there, we're not even close, We have to do What is the reason why we're doing this And it's like, that kind of thing I think, and I feel that we have managed To push it further When it comes to this third album, And it's like It makes me really happy that we have still After these years and years and years, we have managed to make this kind of thing happen.

18:22 Maybe you could give me one or two examples of new incorporations you put in there, where you really push the boundaries of stuff you did before. You already said there's new instruments on it. I mean, what can we expect that we haven't hired before? Well, there's an arpeggiator in the intro of one song.

18:40 I have this strong hunch that that's going to be the first song of the album, and it's gonna be fun to have that long incoming kind of dangerous sounding arpeggio which is kind of breaking out, und dann geht es in die Vacuum, dann die Vokals kommen und dann alle, und dann die Intro ist es so exciting.

19:04 Ja, das ist eine Option. Nein, das ist eine Option, das ist eine Option. Das ist die Sache. Wir haben es schon schon wieder gehört, weil ich nicht sicher bin. Es ist noch ein Demo, aber es wird passieren. Ja, ja, ja. Ja, aber das ist ja, weil wir als Songwriting Partners sprechen. Wir nicht mehr über das Thema zu sprechen.

19:27 Wir können über die Sachen über die Songs sprechen, aber wenn es um die Songs gibt, sie sollten diese Art und Weise haben diese Art und Weise in ihnen, dass man nicht mehr überrascht oder nicht mehr überrascht. You just have to accept it's there and you try to dance around it and give your respect for the song.

19:49 And the song itself, it'll tell in where it wants to go and what it wants to be done with you. And I'm trying to think the same thing when it comes to lyrics as well. You know, this third album, I've been trying not to... Ich mache lyrics, mache lyrics auf die Minderheit. Es ist wie, ich bin einfach, okay, wenn es etwas ist, ich habe es geschrieben, ich habe es geschrieben, und ich habe es nicht zu denken, über es zu viel.

20:20 Es hat es zu sein. Es hat es zu sein. Es hat es zu sein, von der realen Leben. Und dann es matters. Ich denke, Art happens, wenn man kind of, find this connection, dass was du, was du bring in zu der Song, von der Outer Life, or like a real life around you know, that's like, we're like traffic lights wow, you know man, I really love your mystical answers to my very simple questions, that's amazing I'm losing track as well I can tell that you're writing lyrics.

20:55 So in autumn, like when the record's coming out, you're also going to have like a headlining tour with the thing in your luggage, what is the things you look out for the most when you're on tour, especially on this upcoming tour? I guess it's the moment on stage when you have the pure interaction of energy with the people in there.

21:16 And, you know, the playing is on fire and, you know, the audience is on fire and, you know, everybody just knows that this is a good thing. Yeah, yeah. You know, you just witness that. And you can't find that anywhere else, you know. Yeah, yeah. Das ist die Sache, wenn man eigentlich spielt und jeder ist alles in.

21:40 Und du fühlst es. Das ist die Sache. Und besonders in dieser A&I-welt, in dem jeder ist, wie man fragt, was von einem, ich weiß, was, was man sagt, Oder auf die Schreis und Sachen. Ich denke, es ist wirklich, wirklich special wenn es ein Gruppe von Leuten die Schreie, und spielen, und yelling. Und sie sind aus anderen Ländern.

22:04 Und sie sind es irgendwoher. Und dann jemand ist, du bist ein Ticket. Und sie sind in der gleichen Zeit. Und jeder Nacht ist, wie unique. Und es ist so ein Beutau für diese Dinge, was passiert um uns. No, no, we do it like old school way And we want you to be here in flesh You know, it's like Make it real Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Like a timeless thing This is how it's supposed to be every night, you know.

22:33 When you're playing in Germany What's the thing you like the most about Germany? Or Berlin in that case? I like this light, you know Especially today because, you know It's not like deep wintertime in Helsinki still but it's like we don't have this kind of light. Yeah, and when it's closer to summer or actually summer, I love these fry bards.

22:58 Oh, yeah. When you have time during the day to do something else. And so that's like a routine of me and Henkka. We leave the hotel or we leave the nightliner and we go to fry bards, you know, just chill and swim, and then we go to have lunch and some coffee and take it easy that's like the perfect you know the you know the, wie Sie es sagen, es ist das OPPOSITE für was in der Nacht passiert. Ja.

23:34 Die ying und yang, you know. Ja, ja. Das ist die perfecte Balance. Ich möchte in einem Club oder in einem Bus. Ich weiß nicht warum, aber das ist was passiert. Und dann die Leute kommen aus dem Freiburg und sie sind einfach smiling. Sunbrennt. Ja, ja, ja. Was habe ich getan? Ich habe Snickers. Oh, sie hat wohl nur ein Terrible German Pommes Fritzes. Okay, ja, ja, ja.

23:59 Freibad, that's an interesting vocabulary you got. I think I've never heard the word Freibad von somebody who's not from Germany. It's a very specific thing in Germany. Do you guys know any other interesting vocabulary in German that you use on tour? Teppich. Kartoffel. Did you have German in school? I have studied that a bit, yeah.

24:23 I must say I have forgotten most of it. I can, on a good day, on a certain high, I'm able to chat with the taxi driver, you know, when it's late enough or early enough, you know, whatever, so it's doable. Yeah, there's this magic amount of drinks where you're, like, able to speak languages. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

24:45 But it's having, like, this saturation, you know, point. Exactly. Sweet spot, sweet spot of tour, you're talking languages, you begin to know. Ja, dann geht es like, downwind, big time. Aber du kannst nicht even speak deinem. Spruch mehr. Ja, ja, ja. Du bist nur zwei Tage. Aber das ist called Finnish. Wenn du sagen nichts.

25:08 Okay, guys, so you brought a guitar with you und du brought your beautiful voice with you. So maybe you could play us a little acoustic song. Let's do it. Let's do it. All right, this is the song called Black and Spiral. Und es ist eine der wichtigsten Körnungen, wenn es um unsere zweiten Album geht, called The Power.

29:26 Jawohl! Awesome! Oh, wow! Okay! Great! Thank you so much, guys! Thank you! Thank you so much! It was great! You already did the high voices very well as well! Yeah, we trained when we drove here by the van! We played it twice in the van, you know! Before you can't hear it anymore! Before that, 10 months ago!

29:45 I was kind of worried, but yeah! Yussi didn't even tune the guitar, just take it from the guitar! That's true professionalism! Ja, ja, ja, ja, ja Ich weiß es, ich weiß es, ich weiß es Okay, es geht es Es geht es, es geht es, es geht es, wir gehen Okay, guys Hey, thank you so much Thank you.