www.myspace.com/blackraincreek
www.mikseri.net/blackraincreek
DJ Tina: Hi Mika and Tomi, Have you been successful in your search for a Drummer, Bassist and second Guitarist?
Mika: Hi Tina. Unfortunately no. The drummer would be the most important. And it is the most difficult to find.
DJ Tina: When it comes to the right fit for Black Rain Creek what are you seeking in musician ship skills for your players?
Mika: Good accurate playing, and a bit of creativity and contribution to songwriting/arranging wouldn't hurt either. Being serious and ambitious about the band is important.
DJ Tina: For just two band members, Black Rain Creek has done amazing work. Can you tell us about your self-produced CD Pale Southern Light?
Mika: Thank you. Well, all the music and instruments are by me, Tomi is responsible for lyrics and vocals. The first two tracks (Last car to Elysian fields and Sunset limited) were new recordings, and tracks 3-5 were older recordings re-mixed. The whole thing was then professionally mastered by Joona Lukala. The two new tracks were actually my second real recording and mixing project ever. The first was with the previous songs.
DJ Tina: Each songs offer a different sound in the guitars and the drums, I really dig the song tracks Last Car to Elysian Fields, Sunset Limited and Black Rain Creek. I'm curious is it Social and Worldly issues that you express in your songs do you write about other issues?
Mika: As said above, tracks 1-2 were new recordings done with same sounds, rest were done with same sounds earlier, a year before if I remember correct, but remixed for better sound for the "Pale southern light". There may be slight variations in sounds of tracks 3-5 as I had some problems with music software.
DJ Tina: What motivates or inspires Tomi to write lyrics?
Mika: Who knows. I just let him do what he does, heheh.
DJ Tina: Were there any challenges for Mika to put the lyrics to music and instrumentals?
Mika: I write music, and Tomi writes lyrics for it after that. So it's up to Tomi to write lyrics he thinks are suitable for the music. We discuss about song structures and ideas of course.
DJ Tina: Do you have anyone helping recording, mixing and mastering Black Rain Creeks songs ?
Mika: Only for mastering. Everything else is made by me. I used to try to master myself too, but it's too difficult and it was really a great decision to give it to someone who knows what he's doing. I am looking forward for improving my recording and mixing for the new stuff. The best thing would be to go to a studio with full band, and have a professional recording and mixing engineer. I'd wish to concentrate only on guitar and songwriting. But for now it's not possible.
DJ Tina: With just the two band members have there been any challenges in producing the songs from Pale Southern Light?
Mika: Yes and no. The only problem is that since I am the only one responsible for the musical and productional side of things, it means I have tons of work, and it can be frustrating and tiring. Recording and mixing with not much experience is a struggle always too.
DJ Tina: I could detect a little bit of Rob Zombie in some of your sounds who are the main influences for your music?
Mika: Not Rob Zombie at least, heheh. Haven't ever listened to that kind of stuff. It's really difficult to say, actually I mostly listen to very different kind of music than I make myself. Mostly some selected black metal lately. I do like many kinds of music though, but I tend to be very picky on what I really like. Most of today's metal, or music in general, doesn't interest me. It seems most of the metal I like is from the (early) 90's. We think it's the best that people get their own images and associations about our music. Our purpose is to have our own style and sound, being somewhat traditional type of metal at the same time.
DJ Tina: Have you been able to play any live shows since the release of your 5 song EP?
Mika: No, it's impossible until we have a full line-up.
DJ Tina: Is there any meaning in your band name Black Rain Creek is that a location in Finland?
Mika: We prefer not to explain our lyrics and the name of the band. We rather let people make their own conclusions. It's not related to Finland however.
DJ Tina: Before starting Black Rain Creek did both band members play in other bands?
Mika: We've both had projects earlier.
DJ Tina: Do you plan to open a Zazzle store www.zazzle.com to sell Black Rain Creek merchandise online through the internet?
Mika: For now, we are not able to have much merchandise at all. We have plans to record a new ep soonish though, but we have no possibility for having many copies of our cd:s and for distribution other than locally and sending them for reviews etc. We had 100 copies of Pale southern light, and propably have 100 of next one too.
DJ Tina: Before we wrap up our interview what are Black Rain Creeks goals once they find new band members do you have any live gigs planned or videos from your songtracks in the works for 2009?
Mika: Yeah we'd really wish to have gigs, but it's all up to finding the members, which is very difficult. We will have 4 new songs coming out however. They're practically finished, only some finishing touches are needed. Mostly with vocals and guitar solos. Then there's the actual recording and mixing of course. It's not unfortunately topical now, but a record deal, full line-up, full length album etc. are things I'd wish for the band.
DJ Tina: Any last words?
Mika: I'd like to thank everyone who have supported us and like what we are doing. Also, as we are in need of band members, any help is much appreciated. Also with any kind of promotion. If you like what you hear, spread the word.
DJ Tina: Thank you Mika and Tomi for allowing our HMTV Canada eZine to interview your band. You Rock
Tina
Mika: Thank you too Tina.
