Интервю със SAMI HINKKA (ENSIFERUM)

Dreams really do come true! At the moment I am writing the intro of an interview which I had never even dreamt of taking a few years back. One of my favourite musicians from one of my most favourite bands has proven yet again that he is but a kind and earthly person. Sami Hinkka of Ensiferum tells Metal Hangar 18 readers about his involvment with the band, concerts, „Unsung heroes“ and so on with his finnish humor, which comes second only to his kind heart. The following lines will surprise you pleasingly. Enjoy! 🙂

Hello, Sami ! First, thank you so much for this opportunity! 🙂
Hi! No worries, it’s my pleasure. 🙂

Where are you now? Maybe in Finland, getting ready for Germany?
At the moment I’m at home but next weekend we have two gigs. That’s how summer goes since it’s the festival season, which is nice because instead of doing long tour this way we have also time to enjoy our short summer in Finland.

You know many fans were surprised of “Unsung heroes”. We’ve been waiting it for a few years and many got dissapointed by the “overweight” of slow songs. But I love it. I think of this “change” as growing-up and that there isn’t an exact rule to you to write faster songs. What is your opinion of fans’ reactions?
I think it’s not possible to please everyone and I think artists shoudn’t even aim for that and should only follow their heart and create music that feels good and honest for them. For us, each album represents certain period in our personal and bands life and this is how Unsung Heroes turned out and the next album will again something different and another step ahead.

And what do you think about the album? I know a parent loves his children equally, but do you have a favourite song from “Unsung heroes” and from all Ensiferum albums?
Every album have special place in our hearts and it’s impossible to compare them. But I think Celestial Bond is the most beautiful Ensiferum have ever made, so far…

Please write down the names of the Ensi’ songs the way you feel about them:

The heavy one: Unsung Heroes
The viking one: Dragonheads
The sensual one: Celestial Bond
The best one to have sex on: Heh, I haven’t tested any
The one I would show to someone who wants to listen to folk metal: Victory Song
The different one: Passion Proof Power

The most “Ensiferum” one: Victory Song
The gentle one: Star Queen
The “only male” one: Nah, we welcome our sisters equally to join our feasts and battles
The one with the deepest meaning: Passion Proof Power

What’s the story behind “Unsung heroes”? And how long did it took you to write the lyrics and the music. We saw the video reports and it seemed to be a lots of fun in the studio, didn’t it?
We are really slow composers and when we hit the studio we always have tons of ideas we couldn’t get ready so it’s impossible to say exactly when the process of Unsung Heroes started (like the first demo of Pohjola was made in 2006). The studio session of Unsung Heroes was something really unique, we had really relaxed atmosphere (special thanks goes to Hiili Hiilesmaa fo his undying support and laid back but professional attitude). One can only hope that our future sessions will go as smoothly as this one.

How did it came,the idea to cover “ Bamboleo” ? And what about “Vandraren” from the “From afar” album? How did you choose this song and Heri?
The idea of death metal version of Bamboleo has been inside joke for years and this time it just felt like a good idea to finally make it.
The idea of Finnish band making a cover of a Swedish song and guest vocals would be sang by a guy from Faroe Island just felt so crazy that we just had to do it.

This is my third interview with a bassist, and I am proud because you’re my favourite one. 😉 How did you start playng the bass? Why did you chose it, you’re good at singing too for example.
Heh, well thank you. 🙂
I got my first bass when I was 11. Back then I really loved Iron Maiden and Steve Harris was my idol plus my other big brother was already then an awesome guitar player and I wanted to play with him so he suggested that maybe I should consider a bass. Then he tought me some Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin etc. That’s how it all started. Even though I always loved to play with different people and try new music styles, I never even dared to dream that I would become a professional musician so I feel extremely privileged.

And how did it all start with Ensiferum? Every fan knows the band biography, how did you feel then and how do you feel it now?
Long story short: The first time I met Markus he was still working in Spinefarm Records and I was going to record my old band Rapture’s album and Markus gave me and the drummer (Mr. Beast Dominator of Finntroll, small circles, heh) a ride and he was too tired to drive back to Helsinki so I ended up in to a bar with him. So we talked a lot about music and life in general and he gave me a copy of just released Ensiferum album called Iron and few months later he called me that they need a new bassplayer so I practised all the songs and went to an audition and after we had played for some time we all went to a bar and the next day he sent me a message that if I still want I could join the band. Of course it felt absolutely incredible to join a band that had already done a proper European tour but most of all it felt great to join forces with such great people.

You’re so spirited on stage. How do you do that, what’s the secret?
The energy comes from music and live situation and the extra boost comes from the crowd.

Speaking of Heri.. I already told Heri and Olli, but I must congratulate you too on your participation on that awesome choir-part in “Sons of winter and stars” by Wintersun. It is great- all of my favourite muscians in one song. 🙂
Thank you, it was really nice experience and that’s the thing I love about Finalnds metal scene, that everyone knows everyone and most of us are close friends even outside music.

You had a concert once here, in Bulgaria, supporting Children of Bodom with Machinae Suprimacy in 2011. Do you remember something from it and if yes, what? 🙂 Because I do, and these are one of my best concert memories ever.
Oh yes I remember, it was like two days earlier that I busted my ancle on day off somewhere in Greece when I was jogging and our tour manager had to help me on stage for the next week or so and I couldn’t run around at all during the shows. Plus In Athens there were some protests going on few blocks from a bar where we drank after the show and that hurted my vocal chords so I couldn’t sing well for months (it was pretty scary to be honest). BUT the crowd in Sofia were amazing and none of the problems bothered me at all during the show. I really hope we can return there soon.

What about your future plans? I read something about a new album coming out 😛
That’s true, we are working with new songs and after few more festival weekends we will head to rehearsal room and continue composing the next album. We just signed a record deal with Metal Blade so everyone is feeling really excited about the future.

I was wandering if it is on purpose that you made two-half songs and the second one is the longer, with more instrumentals and less singing. And separated of the first half with few other songs- for example “Heathen throne” and “The Longest journey” and “Celestial bond” and “Star queen” 🙂
Nope, it’s not intentional those songs just turned out like they are: they are connected to each other but they were not possible to arrange to just one song.

How’s your leg, we know you had some problems with it? And what about Markus’ ears, is he fully recovered now?
My leg has been well for long time now, thanks. Markus’ ear is also better, so even thought we are old geezers and time is trying to break us we will not give up! 😉

/Some fans’ questions:/
Do you have any tattoos? If yes, what? And if no, would you like to have and what tattoos would you choose?
We are really interesting metal band because none of us have any tattoos. I don’t think I will ever take one either.

Do you often loose socks during laundry? 😀
Sometimes and it’s always frustrating. 😀

And here are some questions I ask every one that would be in interest for the true fans of yours 🙂

Name: Sami Hinkka
Birthday: 27 April
Hobbies: Reading, Movies, Games, Yoga
Favourite band/song: Changes almost daily but let’s say Iron Maiden’s Seventh Son Of The Seventh Son

Sami в София, 2011г.

Favourite book: Too many to just name one but let’s say one of the best I’ve read reacently: Joy Of Living by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
Favourite quote: (Don’t really have one)
Favourite ice cream favour: Chocholade
Favourite school subject: Music and maths
A song that describes my mood right now: Any song from Sigur Ros’ ( ) -album

I prefer…than: I prefer good single malt whiskey than beer

I’ve always wanted to: Try skydiving
When I was little I wanted to become: Musician

The most beautiful place i’ve been so far..: Home
If i weren’t a singer too, i’d be..: Well, I would love to be a proper singer someday. 😉
I’ve never been to..: Moon, but let’s see maybe some day… 😉
I believe in: Reason

The last concert i went to as a fan:Amon Amarth in Nummirock
My view of metal album (of all time) is:Dark Tranquillity’s The Gallery

Something intersting about me that only few people know:I’m also a kindergarten teacher
And my final question: What would you like to the readers of Metal Hangar 18 and to your fans in Bulgaria? 🙂 Because i’d say that we all here love you and Ensiferum, I hope we’ll meet again soon! 🙂 😛
In case you haven’t heard the latest album check it out. Enjoy the summer and keep on harrasing your local proters/club owners to book us a show there because we want to come back! Folks on! 🙂