ENGLISH SUBTITLES: I: And for our next guest we have a Finnish band who quickly rose to international fame - Blind Channel. You have gone from Eurovision to big stages in two years but now the band has decided to go on a hiatus. Welcome singers Niko Moilanen and Joel Hokka. Joel: Thanks a lot. Niko: Thanks thanks! I: You have now grown into a Finnish band who's reached countless listeners and big festival shows around the world. What do you think are the factors that made this happen? The crowd has easily found you. J: I believe it's a little bit of luck, lots of work and Finnish sisu. N: Perseverance! J: Yes. N: When there's a will there's a way. I: You have toured in Europe even before your Eurovision success. How has it felt to tour at "a different level" so to speak. Which is more fun? J: There were perks to it when it was just a hobby before all the success but the heavy weight touring gives and takes greatly. We have had the honor to take Finnish metal and rock music around the world and to tour the States, Japan and Europe a lot during the past few years. I: Mhm. The music you make, in your own words, is called: violent pop which you could say is a bit heavy for the pop scene and a bit too pop for the heavy scene, if you'll allow this little characterisation. But you have blended in to quite big music festivals' line up. What has the reception for your style of music been like in, for example, Wacken in Germany where you guys have apparently played like three times? N: Well I think it's interesting 'cause at first it was a disadvantageous factor for us to be too heavy for the pop scene but then again too pop for the heavy metal world but somehow during the years it turned into a strength. And we still were and are the only band who could play Tuska-festival and Weekend-festival on the same weekend. And that helped us abroad that it was original what we did and we were able to create a pretty fanatical fanbase around it all. Wacken has been a big part of our career and it was our first show abroad back in 2014. After all it's the biggest metal festival in Europe. We got there in 2014 through a band competition and we went back- J: In 2022 we were opening the main stage and last summer we had a headline slot on the third stage and there was about 20 000 people watching. There were a lot of Finnish flags in the crowd and the vibe was kick ass. It was an honor to take this- I: What's the crowd like in Germany, and another place you have lots of listeners is in the States? What are the people like? J: They are a bit older than in Finland. In Finland many people view us as a "boy band" who plays pop rock but the fact is that we are a metal band by definition after all. So in central Europe, Britain and the US the crowd reflects that definition so there are a lot of people with tattoos. Men and women. N: People who look like us. I: You have been fairly confident in vocalising your goals for example to be the biggest band in the universe and you've talked about that a band must brand itself to be of certain worth. Why do you think it's important to talk about where you want to go - which is as high as possible? What's all that about? N: Well we probably have been pretty loudmouthed talking about our goals which is not a tradition for Finns but maybe for us it was important to manifest that and to say it out loud because if you don't believe in it no one else surely will. Maybe we have been telling ourselves and to each other that "We ARE going to be a big band". That's what it took. Many people don't know that we had done 7 years of band stuff before 'Dark Side' with the same intensity. Sure we didn't have tours as big or songs as big but our passion and drive into our craft was exactly the same. So it really took alot of proving to ourselves that "We are gonna make it!". And we did! We just had to keep at it. I: So how are you going to fit this into all of it?...So after this week you are going to go on a so called "indefinite hiatus". Why on earth would a band who is on the rise big time call it quits? J: I said it in many interviews that us going on a hiatus is going to save this band. If we hadn't done it we most likely would've broken up next spring. We were touring the US back in May and we had come off of a 5,5-week stint in Europe, before that we had had 2 weeks of radio promo in the US, Nokia Arena show, releasing of the new album and the promo for that. So it's pretty natural to say that at that point we were pretty much exhausted. So we then realised that it's time to make some changes so we can keep doing this in the future. That was absolutely the best solution at this point 'cause you also gotta leave the people hungry and we still intend to make our all-time best album. And it unfortunately isn't going to come to life with a deadline breathing down our necks. So we need to find some peace and quiet and a source of creativity and I think that's where we're going after all. I: So apparently there have been pretty tight deadlines with your previous records? N: Yes, yes. And this hiatus...many people think it's some sort of strategic move so we can go hide for a bit and then come back. But the reason for the hiatus is first and foremost artistic. The last two albums have been made while touring. Sitting on buses with headphones on and going to the studio when we have time and before we have any demos we have a deadline. "Doesn't matter what you do but it has to be out by then!" So now this absence of deadlines and being able to make music without any rush and make--- Try this type of way of making music! We have not made an album that way on this level. So to be able to make music in peace was definitely one of the big reasons to go on a hiatus. I: A 5-episode documentary series on your band has been released today in Yle Areena. Let's watch a clip of that. BLIND CHANNEL: AFTER DARK SIDE-clip O: Well after Eurovision it was a pretty crazy ride. All of a sudden there much bigger of a buzz than before going on everywhere. N: A fire alarm went off and I promise it wasn't us. O: And then it was just like okay..let's squeeze everything out of this! We gotta do as many shows as we can...or are able to. And even if you feel like you're not able to - you just have to be! Just more and more. N: We learned how exhausting it can be..... *clip cuts off* I: So if you're not able to you just have to be.. Am I correct that the tour has been going on from that point to here? J: Yeah, pretty much. We started with the release of 'Dark Side' and went on to represent Finland. And then the gear went up a notch and we got to go tour Europe with major acts and play gigantic festivals and an arena gig in Finland. So what is it like? ..Over 300 gigs once we play our final chords at Tullisali in Oulu on Saturday. So at that point we have over 300 gigs below the belt. So yeah...quite the squeeze. I: So how does it feel to come back home to play the final show? N: Well, it goes exactly as it should. Oulu is our dearly beloved and always will be. We are a band from Oulu so it kinda feels like a meant-to-be type of thing that the final show, for now, is in Oulu. In Oulu will shall stay. We will surely be drawing inspiration from Oulu for things to come and sort of picking up the pace back at home so to speak. I: If you could take a couple of great moments from your career, from these "gig experiences", so to speak. One great moment and one not so great. What it's been like to tour as Blind Channel around the world? J: I believe that in last May, even though the tour was super exhausting, we played two biggest festivals in the US: Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple. And on the first of these we played on the second stage, which was super big, and I remember there were about 3000 people and there were Finnish flags and people were shouting: "Perkele!". And that was really great that we are in America at the biggest rock festival and people know our songs. And of course these Finnish arenas: Nokia Arena and Helsinki Ice Hall are outstanding as well. We have experienced so much that I'm sure it takes a part of the next couple of years for us to process what we have done. N: I can only think of great memories as well...memories grow sweeter in time. The first US-tour was always for us like: "At some point we have to do a tour in the States!" The first US-tour was in the beginning of 2022. That was like- It's a shame you can only do your first US-tour once! That was a great time. I: So you're going on a hiatus soon but according to your bluster things will continue some day, in time. J: Yes, yes. I: So if I've understood correctly you're about halfway through your career? How will the story continue after your hiatus? J: Now we're gonna make our best record ever. And we have this wonderful idea of three trilogies and then comes the compilation album. That would be an admirable kind of strategy to go forward but yeah. A crystal ball still doesn't exist but yeah at this point we can say that our goal is to make our best album ever. N: We don't have deadlines but if you wanna think like 9 albums and a compilation album we are halfway there. So we'll see! Time will tell. Now is the time to stop for a while and to just vibe and see what the future holds. I: This is possibly your last TV-interview before your indefinite hiatus but... N: Now we gotta say something stupid. I: You don't have to say something stupid! Christmas is also nearing so how as you spending Christmas 2024 and New Year's? N: In Oulu. J: In Oulu. We have the final show at Tullisali on Saturday. Come see the show people! There are a lot of people coming and our parents and close ones are there as well and fittingly it's only a few days 'till Christmas by then. And probably Christmas will be spent in a peaceful manner. Green marmalade balls and glogg and such. N: Yep. Gonna relax in Oulu. I: I wish you a peaceful hiatus gentlemen and all the best! J&N: Thanks a lot!
English subtitles added, big thanks to @roopa1824 for translating!
Thank you for uploading! 🖤🖤
ENGLISH SUBTITLES:
I: And for our next guest we have a Finnish band who quickly rose to international fame - Blind Channel. You have gone from Eurovision to big stages in two years but now the band has decided to go on a hiatus. Welcome singers Niko Moilanen and Joel Hokka.
Joel: Thanks a lot.
Niko: Thanks thanks!
I: You have now grown into a Finnish band who's reached countless listeners and big festival shows around the world. What do you think are the factors that made this happen? The crowd has easily found you.
J: I believe it's a little bit of luck, lots of work and Finnish sisu.
N: Perseverance!
J: Yes.
N: When there's a will there's a way.
I: You have toured in Europe even before your Eurovision success. How has it felt to tour at "a different level" so to speak. Which is more fun?
J: There were perks to it when it was just a hobby before all the success but the heavy weight touring gives and takes greatly. We have had the honor to take Finnish metal and rock music around the world and to tour the States, Japan and Europe a lot during the past few years.
I: Mhm. The music you make, in your own words, is called: violent pop which you could say is a bit heavy for the pop scene and a bit too pop for the heavy scene, if you'll allow this little characterisation. But you have blended in to quite big music festivals' line up. What has the reception for your style of music been like in, for example, Wacken in Germany where you guys have apparently played like three times?
N: Well I think it's interesting 'cause at first it was a disadvantageous factor for us to be too heavy for the pop scene but then again too pop for the heavy metal world but somehow during the years it turned into a strength. And we still were and are the only band who could play Tuska-festival and Weekend-festival on the same weekend. And that helped us abroad that it was original what we did and we were able to create a pretty fanatical fanbase around it all. Wacken has been a big part of our career and it was our first show abroad back in 2014. After all it's the biggest metal festival in Europe. We got there in 2014 through a band competition and we went back-
J: In 2022 we were opening the main stage and last summer we had a headline slot on the third stage and there was about 20 000 people watching. There were a lot of Finnish flags in the crowd and the vibe was kick ass. It was an honor to take this-
I: What's the crowd like in Germany, and another place you have lots of listeners is in the States? What are the people like?
J: They are a bit older than in Finland. In Finland many people view us as a "boy band" who plays pop rock but the fact is that we are a metal band by definition after all. So in central Europe, Britain and the US the crowd reflects that definition so there are a lot of people with tattoos. Men and women.
N: People who look like us.
I: You have been fairly confident in vocalising your goals for example to be the biggest band in the universe and you've talked about that a band must brand itself to be of certain worth. Why do you think it's important to talk about where you want to go - which is as high as possible? What's all that about?
N: Well we probably have been pretty loudmouthed talking about our goals which is not a tradition for Finns but maybe for us it was important to manifest that and to say it out loud because if you don't believe in it no one else surely will. Maybe we have been telling ourselves and to each other that "We ARE going to be a big band". That's what it took. Many people don't know that we had done 7 years of band stuff before 'Dark Side' with the same intensity. Sure we didn't have tours as big or songs as big but our passion and drive into our craft was exactly the same. So it really took alot of proving to ourselves that "We are gonna make it!". And we did! We just had to keep at it.
I: So how are you going to fit this into all of it?...So after this week you are going to go on a so called "indefinite hiatus". Why on earth would a band who is on the rise big time call it quits?
J: I said it in many interviews that us going on a hiatus is going to save this band. If we hadn't done it we most likely would've broken up next spring. We were touring the US back in May and we had come off of a 5,5-week stint in Europe, before that we had had 2 weeks of radio promo in the US, Nokia Arena show, releasing of the new album and the promo for that. So it's pretty natural to say that at that point we were pretty much exhausted. So we then realised that it's time to make some changes so we can keep doing this in the future. That was absolutely the best solution at this point 'cause you also gotta leave the people hungry and we still intend to make our all-time best album. And it unfortunately isn't going to come to life with a deadline breathing down our necks. So we need to find some peace and quiet and a source of creativity and I think that's where we're going after all.
I: So apparently there have been pretty tight deadlines with your previous records?
N: Yes, yes. And this hiatus...many people think it's some sort of strategic move so we can go hide for a bit and then come back. But the reason for the hiatus is first and foremost artistic. The last two albums have been made while touring. Sitting on buses with headphones on and going to the studio when we have time and before we have any demos we have a deadline. "Doesn't matter what you do but it has to be out by then!" So now this absence of deadlines and being able to make music without any rush and make--- Try this type of way of making music! We have not made an album that way on this level. So to be able to make music in peace was definitely one of the big reasons to go on a hiatus.
I: A 5-episode documentary series on your band has been released today in Yle Areena. Let's watch a clip of that.
BLIND CHANNEL: AFTER DARK SIDE-clip
O: Well after Eurovision it was a pretty crazy ride. All of a sudden there much bigger of a buzz than before going on everywhere.
N: A fire alarm went off and I promise it wasn't us.
O: And then it was just like okay..let's squeeze everything out of this! We gotta do as many shows as we can...or are able to. And even if you feel like you're not able to - you just have to be! Just more and more.
N: We learned how exhausting it can be.....
*clip cuts off*
I: So if you're not able to you just have to be.. Am I correct that the tour has been going on from that point to here?
J: Yeah, pretty much. We started with the release of 'Dark Side' and went on to represent Finland. And then the gear went up a notch and we got to go tour Europe with major acts and play gigantic festivals and an arena gig in Finland. So what is it like? ..Over 300 gigs once we play our final chords at Tullisali in Oulu on Saturday. So at that point we have over 300 gigs below the belt. So yeah...quite the squeeze.
I: So how does it feel to come back home to play the final show?
N: Well, it goes exactly as it should. Oulu is our dearly beloved and always will be. We are a band from Oulu so it kinda feels like a meant-to-be type of thing that the final show, for now, is in Oulu. In Oulu will shall stay. We will surely be drawing inspiration from Oulu for things to come and sort of picking up the pace back at home so to speak.
I: If you could take a couple of great moments from your career, from these "gig experiences", so to speak. One great moment and one not so great. What it's been like to tour as Blind Channel around the world?
J: I believe that in last May, even though the tour was super exhausting, we played two biggest festivals in the US: Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple. And on the first of these we played on the second stage, which was super big, and I remember there were about 3000 people and there were Finnish flags and people were shouting: "Perkele!". And that was really great that we are in America at the biggest rock festival and people know our songs. And of course these Finnish arenas: Nokia Arena and Helsinki Ice Hall are outstanding as well. We have experienced so much that I'm sure it takes a part of the next couple of years for us to process what we have done.
N: I can only think of great memories as well...memories grow sweeter in time. The first US-tour was always for us like: "At some point we have to do a tour in the States!" The first US-tour was in the beginning of 2022. That was like- It's a shame you can only do your first US-tour once! That was a great time.
I: So you're going on a hiatus soon but according to your bluster things will continue some day, in time.
J: Yes, yes.
I: So if I've understood correctly you're about halfway through your career? How will the story continue after your hiatus?
J: Now we're gonna make our best record ever. And we have this wonderful idea of three trilogies and then comes the compilation album. That would be an admirable kind of strategy to go forward but yeah. A crystal ball still doesn't exist but yeah at this point we can say that our goal is to make our best album ever.
N: We don't have deadlines but if you wanna think like 9 albums and a compilation album we are halfway there. So we'll see! Time will tell. Now is the time to stop for a while and to just vibe and see what the future holds.
I: This is possibly your last TV-interview before your indefinite hiatus but...
N: Now we gotta say something stupid.
I: You don't have to say something stupid! Christmas is also nearing so how as you spending Christmas 2024 and New Year's?
N: In Oulu.
J: In Oulu. We have the final show at Tullisali on Saturday. Come see the show people! There are a lot of people coming and our parents and close ones are there as well and fittingly it's only a few days 'till Christmas by then. And probably Christmas will be spent in a peaceful manner. Green marmalade balls and glogg and such.
N: Yep. Gonna relax in Oulu.
I: I wish you a peaceful hiatus gentlemen and all the best!
J&N: Thanks a lot!
thank you 🖤
🖤🤍🖤🤍
NIKO IS FANNY MTELLESDUNKEMEN😂😂😂😂
GOOD JOB JOEL WINT INERVIW 😁😁😁😁
I wish someone would provide english or german Subtitles to this.
I added english subtitles!