Valley Below 2006
– Four Seasons (in One Day)
I Winter
Operation Oulu. The first Spiritual Partners–Club takes place at
Café Milou in Oulu (4. 2.) Fellowband Bookends is promoting
their Debut album and we are working on everything: recording,
rehearsing and getting together, better.
Well, and this time of the year, typical winter with it’s cold,
frosty fingers. And Friday night we (it’s me: AP, Heikki and
Sami) drive this long and cold Via Dolorosa from Jyväskylä to
Oulu. 350 km in this complete darkness. My oh my.
As soon as we get to Oulu, there is a short acoustic rehearsal
in a local school. Tyhjät pois. It’s always good to know all
these colleague-teachers – and Pålle, a real music lover, knows
what it really means to have a place to plug in. Next morning
there will be another rehearsal, this time full electric. Then
it’s lunch-hassle, the usual pizza-kebab stuff – and on we go.
The gig today, on Saturday will be the first one for this ‘one
and only’ Valley Below- lineup! It is to say, the first gig for
Tuomo, our bass-man, who’s probably a little bit excited, since
there are many mates coming along to check Valley Below–live.
Bookends-boys have harboured from Rovaniemi (they had another
gig there last night) and they are already in Milou and have by
and large started to set up the stage. Milou is quite a small
and smoky, hazy bar. (…once I thought I saw you …etc.)
We get the spacious corner, you know. Definitely there is the
atmosphere of its own. I recall the other summer another small
bar in the city, Lentävä Lautanen, where there was the same kind
of groove early in the evening. Again, that’s
another VB-history back in 2005.
Today the plan is at first to start with cd’s from 9 PM onwards.
And we, Valley Below kick off at 10 PM and Bookends after that,
let’s say 11.15 PM. The rest of the evening, again is favorite
cd’s by favorite bands.
On the road, back home, slightly hang-overed and tired pop-rock
outfit realises there are problems with the other car. And yes,
it is god damn cold – as far as I remember, 20-25 below zero -
and there we are standing by the side of the road, somewhere in
the middle of nowhere in Pyhäsalmi. There is a major problem
with the engine, which runs out of all oil. I have no
particular knowledge of cars - nor any other engines, but this
really is serious – that’s for sure.
Luckily we are two sedans on the road, so we phone the
truck-on-duty to take our broken vehicle to the nearest garage,
which is to be in Viitasaari.
This takes about an hour, so we drive back to legendary
Vaskikello and have our homemade-lunch, meatballs and mashed
potatoes keep us a little bit warmer. However Sami’s mind is
occupied by a little bit bigger problems than just this cold
winter.
After all the adventure on the road moved on: Sami’s wife Tiina
takes my old Vectra and drives us from Viitasaari to Jyväskylä.
All in all there ‘s always more to music than … just music. This
was a rough but an unforgettable trip through the dark and snow.
And all the fellas had the right attitude – and all the earthly
problems solve out somehow – even the cost of pain and repairs,
but that’s another story.
It is Sunday night – and again tomorrow morning, as if nothing
had happened, this whole group of Valley Below–people are going
to take their daily route to their daily work and toil. This is
rock’n roll.
Throughout the winter and spring the recording sessions go on,
the timetable is loose. Each one has got his own session: Sami
for guitars, Jussi for shakers and percussions, Heikki for vocal
harmonies and again - guitars – and me for my vocals, as well.
In addition to all that we’ve got a couple of special guests:
Jouni Salo is willing to contribute our epic ‘Running Rite’ by
his magical and spooky saw. And then comes the memorable
weekend, the session between his two performances at
Kaupunginteatteri (The Unknown Soldier). This is like two hours
of improvisation – what we hear is – as Jouni defines the sounds
as ‘dead birds’ and so on … exciting moments in the studio room
– and this all suits fine for the song.
( The whole idea of using saw in this particular song, came up a
couple of years ago during summer holidays in Turku archipelago.
There I met a blacksmith, whose son played saw during a wild
music session. Finnish pop-classics were covered in such a
primitive way that I suddenly decided to try a Valley Below–song
in this strange context. Well, this musical-saw seemed to work
in a way – that after all these years, as I met Jouni in
Vakiopaine one Saturday night, I couldn’t help asking him to
contribute our project– and he was ready to give it a try …)
And indeed, just before the springtime, another Spiritual
Partners–club is arranged, this time in
Red Neck, Jyväskylä (10.3).
This time, even if the winter is still as cold as in Oulu,
everything works just fine – there is a good audience and Red
Neck provides us wonderful stage with lights and mixing
engineer, as well. We just need to play. This is luxury. There
is dancing and a good feeling around. And the next morning, some
of us wake up early and take care of the daily work, again.
Rock’n roll.
II Spring
It’s already springtime, when the two timetables collide and
another special guest on the album Eva (Jansson) is finally able
to travel from Turku and sing her verses and harmonies on
Handyman. Again couple of working hours, a lunch and a cup of
coffee in the harbour - and soon after that she catches the
train back to Turku. Short encounters with familiar faces – this
is also part of VB-family-life. (25.5)
And now it seems we’re ready to start the mixing process, which
turns out to be a long and exhausting one.
And then there is also one of these good get-togethers. This
time Brothers Jyväsjärvi take the whole group to their fantastic
‘resort for every season’, which means home by the lake and
countryside. This means good food, sauna and acoustic rehearsals
all together. Another ‘Alive and living-room’ session in good
spirit. To tell you the truth, it’s me who always ends up
falling asleep at first – to be wide awake after a short nap.
However the acoustic session is always nice and neat. And it’s
spring.
Allright, there’s another Yläkaupungin Yö–festival (20.5). This
is to be the third time we take part in this celebration–and for
the first time with a full line up. This year is rainy and –
yes, this is the day of the legendary Eurovision Song Contest –
festival, as well. This also (with the weather) has an effect
for the amount of people taking part in this
multi-cultural-event.
We have got a very special – and should I say, all over again,
unforgettable perspective for the whole Lordi-phenomena tonight.
At the time it is confirmed Lordi’s HRH is the winning tune on
this year’s competition, we lucky bastards are on stage in the
middle of our semi-acoustic performance in the crowded, noisy
Parnell’s Irish Bar. All the folks – so called audience - all
their eyes on telly in corner of the bar, that’s for sure.
The battle between Lordi-points and original Valley Below-tunes
is unfair. However, we take our first semi-acoustic set with the
whole band in the harbour. This surely is a strange experience.
Fair enough: this is the moment Finland, after all these long
awaited years, finally really did win the contest. This is a
moment you don’t want to miss. However, for Valley Below this is
a strange and afterwards somewhat a funny experience.
Luckily, we were able to perform earlier that night on Sohwi
Stage, which means, there are plenty of people around and
listening. And this gig is the one we remember.
III Summer
Hooray, summer on the way – and long hours in the studio. Mixing
and trying out all the possible ways to complete these songs.
There is a great need for a photo-session, as well. What we
really think we want is something natural and – yeah, if
possible, no posing and organised settings; guys just walking
around and a good bunch of shots. And hopefully, finally there
is a shot or two for a poster and for promotional use. It is
sunny, incredibly hot afternoon in July. Timo Björksten helps us
with our aims, should I say, our artistic vision.
Back to basics. There is a rehearsal weekend in the heart of
Laukaa city-suburbs (6.-9.7). Valley Below Summer Camp. The band
occupies Sami’s home–this is a second part of our Alive and
Living Room-Sessions in Laukaa. Hopefully not the last one. For
two days our guitars are connected to our firm Vantage-PA and
VB-songs, the old and the new ones, get a good treatment.
At the same time, part of the band’s summer passtime become
various tournaments e.g. in petanque, football, badminton and
mini-golf. It is to say, the sessions are a mixture of games and
music and food and drinks. All in all, everything what makes a
group of people a unity. (This is also Ruisrock-weekend, and
it’s me heading up to the coast early on Sunday morning in order
to witness e.g
Morrissey and
Cardigans live-on-stage, but
that’s another story.)
And traditions. Under the trees, in Viitaniemi, there is always
a good and sunny spot to carry out an acoustic outdoor session.
And it takes a good session to play Valley Below–backcatalogue.
If it’s living room or outdoor-session, there is always a need
to do this basic work as duo. I mean the vocals –and everything
- there’s always a couple of rather new tunes to be practised.
This usually takes up to 4 hours and it means sore fingers and
great fun. Of course also another ‘must’, a session on the
streets, busking, which is reminding the two of us where did it
all begin. On the street.
And then the short summer tour (3.-6.8.) . This time it consists
of one acoustic duo- and two full lineup performances. The
summer route follows Seinäjoki-Kokkola-Pietarsaari. Our base
camp is in Kokkola, where my parents, Family Kivinen provides us
a real B & B – solution for the whole band. In addition to bed
and breakfast, sauna and dinner are available – and of course a
game of petanque in the backyard.
However, most of the time we spend in the soundcheck preparing
for the show. Especially in Pietarsaari, it takes awhile ‘for we
get to know this PA- and mixer-equipment.
There is also another new territory, whereas there is an article
and the picture of the band in the latest edition of local
newspaper, Kokkola. This reporter phoned me and then, based on
our conversation, she’s written something about VB-music and
lyrics. It is always an odd experience to read these things
printed. Surely there are 10-20 people, who end up in
English Pub because of this
story. Good for us.
We begin with ‘Demolition Derby’ as acoustic duo-and all the
other guys join us in the second number ‘The Taming’. And there
we go. Positive. This is a good experience for the whole band.
And the folks, the audience gives us a good feedback – that is
to say, there are two encores, the second one being ‘Jukeboxing’
as duo. So there is need for more songs to be rehearsed with the
whole band. There is also this guy, who’s been reading our
diary in the net. Great! What he really missed, was the
songs – the music on our site. True.
Mixing process is also coming to an end. And what a work it has
been. Especially Heikki and Tommi (Ahonen) have spent hours and
hours in the studio trying to find out what we call ‘down to
earth-sound’. I guess some of us has spent a good bunch of hours
to find out what is the VB-sound. And I think we have moved to
right direction, as we decided to hang on to the rather dry and
organic basic band sound.
It’s autumn. And among other things it’s time to think about
mastering.
IV Autumn
To cut a long story pretty short - during this term there are 5
gigs with a full lineup and 3 sets as duo. To put it straight,
it’s easy to become an addict to this kinda way of life, life on
the road. Travelling. Of course there are always drawbacks on
the way: it could be anything from PA-techniques to
group-dynamics, and you’re almost always in a hurry, should I
say, riding a restless horse – that’s for sure. Anyhow this all
seems to attract many of us, some sorta funny rovers we are…out
of all glamours. And the wagons move on.
Again, in Oulu and Kokkola (13.-15.10), we stay with our friends
and families. And meet this incredible young lady, Kaisla, 4
months or so…there is more than just music on the road.
In Mikkeli and Turku we feel like home the other way, at the
hotel. Especially in Mikkeli (20.10) we get to know some of the
local, friendly Musiikkiklubi-people. They make us feel like
special guests. There is a good conversation on the Finnish
pop-scene. And after all VB signs the thick guestbook, which is
filled with messages by many more or less famous artists. Great
time. Hopefully we’re able re-visit Mikkeli in the near future
again - and the ‘legendary’ Keskus-Baari with it’s amazing
collection of old vinyl records.
What comes to live-sound and stage-feelings themselves, it is
mostly the question of the PA-gear. We already know there are no
problems in performing the songs at their best, when the
listening-monitoring circumstances are optimal. However,
whenever you go to these music bars and rooms you’ve seen never
before, anything can happen. Let’s say, there may be concrete
walls all over the place or a 2-3 squaremeters for the whole
5-man-outfit in the corner of the bar. Nobody gives you piece of
advice – and usually in the end it is the too loud a volume in
question.
But at this stage, we are a band with no name, with no album to
present …so what more can we ask for. Well, 2007. Then we’ve got
the debut album, ‘the passport’, which is not a credit for
anything. However this is the road we’ve chosen. We’ll see. And
we’ll travel and we’ll live.
And the band is on progress. The time we’ve spent on the road,
is making us firmer every day. Like any other group, we are a
group of totally different kind of people – and I guess there
is room for all the personalities here. If you feel like taking
your own room, feel free to do that. I end up wandering around
about town while the others might take a game of pool or darts.
During autumn there are five more gigs with the full lineup. Not
everything works always…that’s for sure, and so it be, we’re on
the way. And as a band, we are a vulnerable and sensitive one.
Some of the gigs you are comfortable with the stage sound and
the feedback you get on singing. And sometimes there are days,
you don’t want to remember.
Pretty soon it is another winter knocking on the doors – and the
Circle is almost complete. Running Rites, the final mix and the
master copy is ready 10.11. However this child is finally born
the next spring. There are still many things to work out, which
means artwork and the cover. And that’s a lot. Now it seems
there shall be snails on the cover. Two snails. That is the
answer.
An old friend of mine, Samuli Repo provides excellent photos for
the booklet. As always, there’s a good debate on the final
pictures and colours to choose. And I end up writing a short
story, a dreamlike tale on the booklet or cover. There is a
feeling I want to expand the book of lyrics-idea to this
direction – this is nothing new since Mike Scott, one of my
favourite artists has done this in his unique way before.
Well, it’s been a long journey, but I’m still burning, yearning
to find out what was this message I was given in the first
place…
To celebrate the ready to print-material, we’re performing two
acoustic duo shows in The Castle in Turku (17.-18.11). Cheers
folks! You were great. We had a good time and four set of songs
on two long nights. This is to say, we were able to play most of
the songs we’ve composed. First set of songs turn out to be a
little bit acoustic, folkish and moody stuff. And later in the
evening rocking again – as much as we can with these two
acoustic guitars.
And to complete the eventful year, there is a Christmas Party in
legendary Ylä-Ruth in Jyväskylä (9.12). Nice Chinese meal to
start with. Hanging out in good company. And then two sets:
acoustic duo performance and then the whole band plugged. Not a
big audience, however we feel like home, cosy and relaxed. What
we VB-people feel, this is more than a nice ending for this
merry year. And the story and the beat goes on.
To
the top
Studio Hassle
2005-06
Valley Below - In the
studio
(by Heikki)
photos by Jussi Jyväsjärvi and AP Kivinen
November 10th
So this is it. Valley Below is finally ready to nail this first
bunch of songs. We' ve had these ten songs like five years and they'
ve been growing and living with us all the way. We never wanted to
make an album as a duo, since we felt that these songs needed a
proper band – solid and alive. Now that we’ve got this really great
band, it’s about time to capture these ten songs. Actually, though
the songs are quite old, they feel really fresh as band versions. Of
course the new arrengements always bring something else to the songs.
Even if you knew the song better than your own hands, it feels
different and brand new when these guys bring their ideas and touch
to them.
Our bass player was the final touch to the dream-team, as I feel
this is. The man with the rock attitude and cool leather jacket, mr
Tuomo Tikkanen arrived in Jyväskylä today. He comes all the way from
Oulu, but is
absolutely the best man to do the VB-bass. T has played
with our drummer a long time back in Oulainen (where three of us
grew up) so they have that special connection and unique sound when
it comes to groove and feeling. So now that we got him in the town,
we started to practise and make final arrengements for the studio
sessions.
We had this masterplan that we’d practise this Thursday-evening
and part of it in the actual studio room (which is actually in the
same building as our rehearsal room…). Handy!
Our recording engineer
and co-producer Tommi Ahonen listened our live sound as we played.
The main idea was to record as much live performances as possible,
not that one-man’s “do it with a click, the rest of us…we’ll have a
beer”-thing. We felt that what these songs needed was alive, kicking
and breathing sound, which we could only capture by playing live. At
least the drum-bass companion should sound as alive as possible, and
they should feel the songs as a whole while they’re playing.
We had a five hour rehearsal today and some planning about
tomorrow. T stayed at my place and of course we continued a bit with
that planning…and watched some
The Office-series for a jolly good
laugh!
November 11th
The four of us (not T of course!) had a normal work day today. As
I got home I had to prepare our meal for tomorrow; elk’s meat in
porter, mmm!! At five o’clock we headed to the studio, Bändiforum,
which lies in the outskirts of JKL. We started to build up our
recording settings, placing all the nine microphones for the
drum-kit, choosing amplifiers, exploring sounds and so on. While
Tommi and Jussi were working on drum sounds, T and the rest of us
were having an unplugged rehearsals next door. We actually made some
last minute arrangements there, (most of them appeared to be just
the right ones!), so it was a very valuable session
As we got back to the recording room, these two engineers had
made quite a playground for us (or for J especially). The drum-kit
was surrounded by microphones and the bass drum had a funny-looking
tunnel in front of it. There was also a pair of condensator
microphones to capture the live sound in the room. Looked like a
rehearsal room for me!
One of the most important things to do well was the monitoring. As
we wanted to play live, all five of us needed to have a good
monitoring and that was easier said than done. That took a lot of
time but I think it was worth it. We didn’t record anything today,
but we had all set up for tomorrow. So that’s good. Waiting for
another Grand Day.
Again some discussions about the arrangements and recording with
T…and some Office with a couple of beers…The atmosphere so far has
been great, in the studio and outside. What we really want is to
have the right spirit in those songs, the right mood. That’s why
these guys are here in the VB-band, we know each other very well and
that is so important when making this kind of music. Of course
that’s important always, whatever you do as a group, but we feel
that especially Valley Below-music comes from relationships. It is
relationship. Between the lyrics and the tune, the rhythm and the
chord, the singer and the player, the performer and the audience.
Not only did we want to play this songs ‘right’ on tape, we also
wanted to play the same song, do the same relationship…..Phew….That’s
it then, I’ll get me cloak. And go to bed.
November 12th
Here we go again. I should mark this date for it is quite a big
step for VB-mankind. Although it doesn’t feel too big, we’re just
going to play those ten songs live as always and as many times we
need to have at least the drum and bass tracks recorded. Actually it
appeared that we couldn’t record everything live, mostly because of
the acoustic instruments that were hard to capture with the drums
playing in the same room. But at least we could play live in the
same room, and hopefully you could hear that in the bass and drum
lines.
We started with Driving On, as it is one of the rocking ones.
Just to warm up a bit. We did a couple of takes and were quite
satisfied with the drive. Then we jumped right on to our epic, seven
and a half minute Running Rite. There’s a song that is never too
easy to play. You should get that suspended feeling there in the
beginning and
hold it there for a long time. And then the songs
starts to grow, little by little there’s more stuff in it, the
feeling gets more intense. And the final explosion – an easy relief
– comes not until the end of the song. So we thought that this would
be one of the hard ones but luckily we were wrong. We (or Jussi and
Tuomo) tamed this dog with the very first try! And it really felt
good. There’s this rageous drumming in the end only J the man can do
and T the bass sounds like it is played in the bass drum. Cheers
guys!
That succession was an important moment for the whole sessions.
We got the right mood, we got the sweat out and we felt we are ready
and able to do this. Although we didn’t get the rest of the band on
the track it was real fun and everyone of us was excited.
After nailing Running Rite it all went quite easily. We did
Souvenir and didn't need to try it too many times. I have to add
that although Tuomo was the latest member to join in VB as it is now,
he's doing great job. A real studio musician. Before lunch break we
play Jukeboxing and man, it rocks. We can only hear drum&bass and
that's enough. I'm very pleased with the popgroove in that
instant-jukebox-song.
Then we take a break and enjoy our meal (elk's meat in
porter...by me :) ). It's quite good, I should say. Some of the guys
go shopping, since we need some refreshments for sauna tonight. I
think we deserve some relaxing when the work's been done. While Sami
and AP are taking care of our needs, the three of us play In
Gratitude, which works quite well. We get that recorded in one hour.
Then we also try Absence, but need to make some new arrangements
with drum miking. We want to get a harsh and heavy sound for this
song and that's why we don't need "too good" drum sounds. Tommi puts
the ambience-microphones quite far away from the set and uses fewer
close-up mics. That's how we get the sound of the room and some nice
pows and clangs. The song is actually tricky one to play. It's not
so easy to get the right groove and we need to arrange the drum part
a bit. So we struggle with that one two hours or so, but eventually
it's there.
We still have couple of songs to record. They're the mellow ones,
Selling Down the River, Handyman, Capel Curig and Liverpool. Selling
isn't too easy a piece, it's so fragile and still quite pompous. I
mean the song has a lot of chords in it and it develops through
different parts. Progressive but classic pop, I should say. And
recording it was also a bit difficult. Jussi has a distinguishing
drum beat with the tom-toms so we wanted to have a very soft and
etheric tom sound this time. J played with mallets, which made the
sound come more softer, less attack. So the hits sort of just appear
from somewhere. But the tom sounds are always hard to make. And at
this particular song we noticed that the drums resonate with the
guitars, so we should get them tuned close to E minor (or something).
But of course we managed to capture it after all. It's still very
fragile, which is good.The song seems to break in to bits, but it
doesn't. I like it this way, very much. Handyman instead was quite
easy, we needed to make two different takes, because in the
beginning of the song Jussi plays with the brushes and then from the
middle eight with sticks. So the we had to change the miking of the
drums. I like those kind of things. It's always a new beginning for
the song when the drum sound changes. We played that one very well,
I'm satisfied.
Then there was Capel Curig. We played it all right, there was no
hassle with that. We didn't think about it then but there was
something missing. Later when recording acoustic guitars we found
out that we need that one again. There wasn't soul and intensity
enough. But that's another story, let's get to that later.
But Liverpool...Boy there was soul in it. And feeling. It was a
perfect song to end up these great sessions. We did it at 8 pm
Saturday evening and everybody had a very good feeling. We knew that
we had done it already, this shouldn't be so hard. And it wasn't. We
had a nice out-of-tune harmonium (actually the song was composed
with harmonium) and the sound is amazing. Differs a lot from the
other songs which is great.. We wanted to capture the all the
puff-puffs from the instrument and miked it also from down
below..Mmm... How about that! And of course it had to be played with
only your underpants on...
Before this gets any dirtier, I might just add that we got a
beautiful mood to this odd waltz. It didn't take too many takes to
nail this one. And after The Take we all were very excited, it just
felt so right. A perfect way to finish these sessions, as I said.
Thank you guys! Thank you Tommi! It was a pleasure and real fun. To
be continued...
To
the top
With the
Band – The First Waltz
(by AP)
‘Vihreä Haltijatar’
Jyväskylä 13.8.2005
Back in Jyväskylä, we’ve began to rehearse the songs with a full
line up. Rehearsals take place in Jalo’s living room. No amplifiers.
No struggle. There is immediately a warm feeling. In the back of my
mind I make it clear it cannot always be like this. Such is life.
Puzzle is not always completed easily. Along with me and Heikki,
there is Jalo (Walamies) on acoustic bass, Jussi (Jyv äsjärvi) on
drums and rhythm and Sami (Syrjämäki) on solo guitar parts. Three
acoustic guitars and a bass with a small set of drums. First gig
with this full line up is in Vihreä Haltijatar. Again without PA.
What we feel this is working just fine.
Atmosphere is warm and there are familiar faces in the crowd. It is
the evening of one of those warm summer days. You could say
Vihreä
Haltijatar is a cosy living room with an intimate atmosphere. And in
the corner of the public house there is this old-school vinyl-single
jukebox including many classics - and the staff is friendly and nice.
The big window to the High Street, Kauppakatu, is opened – and the
music can freely flow to the summer night. Without a mic and the
stand one is able to move freely to the music. A sort of dance. And
couple of passers-by pop in as they hear the music through the open
window.
There is a glimpse, just a glimpse (without PA) of what VB-music
would be in collaboration with the whole band. Finish with ‘No Drama’.
This is ‘a sit-down and listen’ nostalgia. Thanks for the friends
Jake, Riitta, Jouko, Sari, Mira and all the others who shared the
experience.
Pub Green Door
Saarijärvi, 17.9.2005
Well, now we ’ve got the rehearsal room in the outskirts of
Jyväskylä. This is a good leap and a step forward. There are a
couple of rehearsals a week and a good list of songs in practise.
Realise the difficulties in working with PA. There are more voices
and noise - which makes singing a little bit different, complex a
routine. As always this is a matter of repetition.
When arriving to Saarij ärvi, I guess we all like
Pub Green Door immediately. The keeper of the pub does this job as a passtime or a
hobby and he’s got his own band, as well. This is to say the
circumstances for the live music are perfect. This is a little bit
like The English Pub in Kokkola. Of course there is also the big
screen for MTV and sports. A funny detail is that during the gig MTV
plays
U2-evergreens mute. So there are the familiar pictures in
front of us as we perform.
Band sound and Sami’s solo guitar parts astonish me. What we feel,
the whole band sound must be getting closer to the point. Feedback
after the gig is positive. And the pub keeper takes a good care
there are enough refresments available. Even for the drive back
home.
Green Door
Saarijärvi 17.9.2005
The Taming
Jukeboxing
Souvenir
Handyman
Absence
Capel Curig
The Catcher
Clicks
Primitives
Driving On
Positive
Blue-Collar-Bill
Running Rite
No Drama
Ylä-Ruth and Sohwi
Jyväskylä, 15.10.2005
Last year we performed as duo in AKU-fest. This is a nice, small
acoustic festival in two bars (Sohwi and Ylä-Ruth), in Jyväskylä.
Anssi (Leino) and Mika (Tirronen), the guys organising the whole
thing, liked our set in Yläkaupungin Yö 2004 – festival, and they
invited us to take part in their festival later that autumn.
We found out what a nice festival this was – and we were welcomed
warmheartedly. We also shared many musical influences and interests
with these guys. When they contacted us again this year, we didn’t
hesitate to re-join. Allright. Last year we were the openers for the
Saturday night. This year we are the final act. What I think this is
at the same time an honour and a little bit complicated matter of
fact, since all the folks drinking heavy are allready quite drunk
and so on … The warm up gig takes place in Ylä-Ruth, where me and
Heikki tune the two guitars and our voices just like many times
before --- this is a little bit shorter set with a mix of the new
and the old material.
AKU-fest
Ylä-Ruth, Jyväskylä
23.00
Spring Fair
Dog Day
Jukeboxing
Good Killer
Souvenir
Primitives
And the Morning
My Oyster
Driving On
Solstice
Again, I realise the vulnerability of acoustic duo-based set.
However, I’ve got a feeling this audience accepts us and our music.
And of course there is the usual amount of VB-devotion and energy in
the set, I guess.
After our set there is a nice, peaceful act named ‘Triste’. They do
e.g. some wonderful
Norah Jones-covers. I take a walk in campus area
before the gig in Sohwi. All in all, as mentioned before, I feel
like going out and away from the – should I say – ‘Eye of the
Hurricane’. Windy autumn night. A little bit restless and relaxed at
the same time.
Tonight another matter of fact is that Jalo joins us in bass for the
last time. This is a usual story of difference of opinions - whether
it comes to the music genre we represent or whatever the routines in
music making were.
This means soon we’re in short of a bass player – however, Tuomo,
although living in Oulu, is going to join us next month for a long
weekend as we’re about to start to record some of our older material.
The time is ripe to get the recording process started now when the
first VB-songs are still fresh enough to be nailed. There is a
selection of 9-10 songs we’d like finish for the first album. Well,
back to basics again … it is a question of drinking …or something
else, there are people dancing and enjoying our music. Should I say
having a party. If they are celebrating to the music we created,
what more to expect. At least Clicks, Primitives, Driving On and
Positive make them move. Closing time interrupts our set – well,
this time we’re unable to perform ‘Running Rite’ and ‘No Drama’ is a
little bit distracted … however under the circumstances this is a
gig in very, very good spirit.
AKU-fest, Sohwi, Jyväskylä
01.30
The Taming
Jukeboxing
Souvenir
Handyman
Absence
Capel Curig
The Catcher
Clicks
Primitives
Driving On
Positive
Blue-Collar-Bill
No Drama
Since this really is a late night gig – luckily (?) we’re unable to
find a night club or pub to celebrate this afterwards. This is to
say all the guys take away their chips and kebab and hamburgers and
end up in Heikki’s place. Eating and chatting relaxed.
To
the top
A Sort of Homecoming
2005 – The Diary
Two
Rovers on the Road: The Adventure Moves On
(by AP Kivinen, July-August 2005)
photos:
Leila Siitonen
Feet off the
Ground
Jyväskylä, Monday 18.7.2005
Allright, we’re back again. Tomorrow morning on the road for the
second summer tour, titled as ‘A Sort of Homecoming’ basically
because of the fact that Heikki has moved back to his ‘hometown’
Jyväskylä. What comes to Valley Below-life, this is definitely a
good new start for the duo and band activities and I’m really
looking forward this autumn – there’ll hopefully be a chance for a
nice rehearsal sessions during the fortcoming dark season.
On the other hand, what makes this ‘A Sort of Homecoming’, we’re
roughly going to follow the familiar Running Rites Route ’04 and
meet the old friends all over again. This is to say, the concept for
the summer tour again is very similar to the last year. Two acoustic
guitars and two voices packed on the road. Grassroot level is the
right word. Probably introducing couple of new tunes on the way,
however, more or less this is to travel and gain some experience on
the stage – and play the songs all over again.
Shortcut to what we’ve done during this spring and the summer as
duo: there was a festival gig in May (Yläkaupungin
Yö 2005) and a few living room and outdoor sessions under the trees around
Jyväskylä. After a while there are also some nice new tunes on the
way, we’ll see when the time is ripe for those to be plugged in on
the stage.
Man-Made and
out of Mainstream
Oulainen, Tuesday 19.7.2005
Today, we made it to Oulainen. Former ‘Spiritual Partners’ has
become
Bookends and they are on their way to record their debut album. And this
process takes place in Oulainen. Me and Heikki visit the local
school and the very studio they’re taking their time to finish these
recordings. None of the tracks on ‘Lovechainletter’-EP are included
on the forthcoming album. Fair enough. The guys want to move on.
Well, I’m looking forward to that – their debut album, which is due
this November-December.
What I hear in the studio, the brand new tracks sound to me ‘Big
Music’. Song structures are complex – at least when heard for the
first time. Horns and stuff – all in all the arrangements: this
certainly is an alt-pop-art-album. And I’m sure I’m not exaggerating.
This is certainly not the music for commercial radio stations. What
else would you expect these guys with such a pop sensibility.
Me and Heikki do some do-do-background-vocals on the track named
‘Follow’. And Heikki sings background vocals on ‘Such Grace’. My
experience on the studio work and routines is very limited – to be
honest, there is a lot of work to be done on this area of music …
What I basically think is the question ‘How to maintain the original
feeling and atmosphere’ by the time the song is about to be nailed.
Whenever the headphones and the green-ON-AIR-light is on, are you
about to lose the right track? When you’re about to reach a real
absolution from the technical point of view – have you lost
something in the spirit?
Well, I admit that
Teenage Fanclub among many others, reaches the
point where the music and harmonies are so close to the perfection
that it leaves no chance in hesitation – This is when I recall
finding myself touched by the beauty of pop music – as it was: this
is almost too beautiful.
However, the total katharsis takes place in Tavastia, Helsinki
(8.7.2005) where their live show absofuckinglutely kicks at least my
arse. There’s no need for piles of beer – or any other stimulants.
The music itself is enough. On the stage the bunch of beautiful
songs reveal their roughness, which, at least from my point of view,
bring the tunes to another level.
It’s like these five decent, middle-aged, Scottish
look-alike-engineers (according to Hesari) stand in the centre of
the market what comes to the real pop heaven. (please, excuse me for
the sentimental part of me and my memoirs…&:-) I don’t give a shit,
is this indie, alternative or mainstream, this is just Man-Made and
real music on the stage.
Just Another
Sundance?
Oulainen, Wednesday 20.7.2005
Allright. Let’s get back to the point on the Grassroot level:
there’s gonna be a gig in local Sun Pub with Bookends on Wednesday
night. Heikki suggests that guys could collaborate with some of our
material. Of course this is well prepared! A short living room
session leaves us a little bit confused. The souncheck brings this
confusion to
even a greater level. Does the band sound serve our
songs in the way we expect. Are we really playing our own stuff, the
songs we created in good collaboration together in VB-spirit.
Naturally, there are the usual routines before the gig; running -
this time on the banks of Pyhäjoki. Then straight ahead – without
knowing what to expect - to the bar, where Bookends is shortly about
to begin. Before the kick off there is a short discussion with the
guys: what we suggest is what we think are the essentials in these
VB-tunes: that there shall be space and room for the melodies, if
possible. That is to say the puncline is ‘less is enough’ – let the
melody and the song do the work – as it is in a good football team;
it’s the ball we’re passing, so let the ball do the job and running…
I don’t deny, I feel a little bit tensed and uncomfortable during
this first night of the tour – however in the end the evening turns
out to be no more than OK. It’s a pleasure to share the music and
room with fellas with such a pop-spirit.
Jussi (Jyväsjärvi) on percussion, Lauri (Leskinen) on bass and Ville
(Tirilä) on acoustic guitar.
We finish with ’Positive’, ’Blue-Collar-Bill’, ’Driving On’ and ’The
Taming’ is encore as well as ’No Drama’, which is performed for the
first time.
And what comes to audience, like a year before, we are blessed with
young and enthusiastic local music lovers.
And we already feel in a
certain sense this could be the best audience during the whole tour.
However, the tour is just about to begin. There always be a chance.
So let it happen. I recal some good and uplifting comments on our
devotion and attitude on the music we play.
Among the
Sailors – and the Sons and the Daughters
Oulu, Thursday-Saturday 21.-23.2005
On the road. Reading all over again
Ken Stringfellow-lyrics. This is
The Lovers Hymn. ‘That’s what they’re calling Love / That’s what
they’re calling bliss / That’s what they’re calling joy and ecstasy
/ In perfect miniature – a World in a grain of sand / Called a
woman, called a Man’. And from time to time this grain of sand is
rubbing me raw…
Again a lot of talk, lot of stuff and a lot about what is the aim
and goal in these VB-adventures. That the instruments and the band,
whenever we’ve happen to get to that level, should serve the music
and the lyrics. Organic, good old ‘band sound’. Easier said than
done. This is what leaves us something to explore. Agreed that
The
Cardigans among many others re-invented themselves and got somewhat
close to that essence on their last album ‘Long Gone Before Daylight’.
Like the album. The warm feeling in it.
Anyway. These days turn out to be somehow very special summer
(holi)days. Yesterday there was a nice sauna with group of fellas,
actually they are a forthcoming wedding band and they’ve been
rehearsing loads of covers during the day ( Heikki plays keyboards
and acoustic guitar and Jussi drums in this group). What a set of
songs covering a huge amount of pop-rock-standards and
indie-classics, as well.
When touring, you’re feel like you’re on No Man’s Land. And if
timetable is loose, it can easily lead to a waiting game. Waiting
for another Gig and evening and so on. Heikki usually has got a full
schedule and lots of people to meet, whereas I am likely to spend my
time, if possible, out of all Rush Hours, drifting around, losing
the track of time – especially today this suits me fine. I mean,
Oulu shows me some nice bridges and seaside views while cycling
along the coastline to see the wonderful scenery (‘which is
completely suitable for
my purposes’).
Pikisaari, sun and a nice heavy shower in Nallikari. Drink a cup of
coffee and a nice chat with locals, e.g. this loveable waitress in
the café. I come across with the idea of the intro to ‘Dog Day’.
This is what we try tonight.
Oulu, Friday 22.7.2005
Friday night. And
Lentävä Lautanen. We know nothing about the bar /
pub we’re going to perform - and by the time we’re carrying our
PA-equipment to the place, you could say there is a local
HC-drinking club in the room. Well, the soundcheck turns out to be a
long one. Rather than a soundcheck, this is a warm up gig, since
we’re asked to play a few more songs all over again. We don’t mind.
Is it because of heavy afternoon drinking or maybe something else,
these guys are sharing the experience. One of them throwing himself
into the music and the rhythm of ‘Blue-Collar-Bill’. This is a Real
Working Man doing the dance?At 11 pm there is Another New Audience
starting their long night. Black is the colour. And rather with
‘Slayer-print on T-shirt’. Well, luckily there are some other
outlooks in the room as well, but this is certainly not the audience
with inevitable pop-spirit. This is to say, every night is like
starting all over again: since nobody knows these songs, we need to
set the table again and again.
Tonight, it’s my turn to observe the folks and their faces, the
atmosphere and the feeling…and in the end I’m confident with these
circumstances. Lentävä Lautanen turns out to be allright. And this
is also the premiere for ‘Dog Day’, ‘Reptiles’ and ‘And the
Morning’, three new songs on the way.
‘This time you don’t need
any Weapon – only to choose your Companion’ … well,
probably not an excellent gig, should never be - however I’m
confident with this one …After the gig, driving the car and the PA
back to our residence. The night is peaceful and still. I love this
harmony after the gig. To leave the crowded room and the noise for
awhile – and enjoy the silence.
Cycling back to the beat of the town. 45 Special is the place to
meet all the mates afterwards. What a Grand, rocking Nightclub this
is: good music. And
Morrissey and his Big Mouth Strikes Again. Many
other favourites. The old and the new ones. Cheers! Tuomo, Pålle and
especially Milla and Kaitsu for the accomodation. You’ve got a
wonderful home and the garden! All the best, both of you –
‘May the Road Rise Up to
Meet You’.
‘That’s
what they calling Bliss’
Kokkola, Saturday 23.7.2005
I am the Driver as we’re heading onwards to Kokkola. Again, this
reminds me of my childhood days. They always come back to me. My
music is in the words and waters of the sea. This all means a lot to
me. Is it me diving again… Soundtrack for the Road at the moment is
Shine by
Daniel Lanois. There is a glimpse of peace and what someone would call ‘zen’ in
this lovely peace of music.
Take a break in Kalajoki, white sandy beaches. Swimming. Playing
some football. These certainly are the landscapes I would like to
include in VB-songs and lyrics. On the road, as mentioned on No-Mans
Land, there’s plenty of time, time to joke, time to talk, time to
listen, time to be serious as well as hilarious. What a learning
process a tour like this is. Not only what comes to guitars and
singing.
This year Heikki takes the full credit for organising the gigs,
which means a lot of ‘field work’ and loads of phone calls.
Introducing anonymous, the unknown VB-duo to the anonymous
pub-keepers. We meet up my family, have a good meal and end up in
the brand new and cosy English Pub in the town. Tonight, Saturday,
would be the ideal evening for a gig. All the shiny, happy people
around these bars. And all the young ladies as beautiful as one can
imagine. Summertime. I don’t mind.
Check the Halkokari beach – and couple of songs round about
midnight. ‘No Drama’ is becoming the mantra for the trip. Three
youngsters passing by – listening for awhile. These are the calm
moments, calm as the sea under the setting sun.
Sunday is a Dog Day
Kokkola, Sunday 24.7.2005
And then Sunday - A real ‘Dog Day’. We’re soaking as we run the path
through the woods to the shore. Pass the old crumbling lighthouse.
Harrbåda. Get a good heavy shower. Back in the English Pub the
circumstances are – should I say – perfect. There is ‘a real stage’
and we’re provided by a good PA with monitors. This is luxury. I
mean, instant feedback in vocals is not available in every public
house and music bar.
Sometimes a whisper can cover a lot more than shouting out loud –
the verses in ‘Blue-Collar-Bill’ show this inevitably. Learning
process goes on and on. As was mentioned, whereas yesterday was
crowded and packed – you can imagine today is the opposite. And the
heavy rain. Keeps all the folks back home on their sofas in front of
their TVs – or whatever is the modern entertaining. And the bar is
lazy and asleep. My my, this is a night for a workaholic.
We’ll carry out the routines – and by the end of the set, when the
music’s taking over, even I feel a lot better. And there are the
good couple of ears among the audience again. The feeling of the
Sunday night is surreal: dark, warm summer night, heavy heavy rain –
and a deserted small town on the coastline. It can be dark, even in
the light of Finnish summer night. Real English weather &:-) As
always, bartender girl turns out to be as lovely as they usually
tend to be – and we’re listening for awhile the local rock band
The
Phonies’ Instant Elation. Grand Album.
Pictures and
Souvenirs on the Shore
Naantali, 3.8.2005
This second part of the tour begins again with another sunny day in
Naantali. Tourists all over the place. Just like a year ago, Tapsa
and Eva join us here. This is again a good lunch and hanging around
the old part of the town. The idea is that Eva would take some
photos on the seaside and the weather is just perfect for this. We
follow the path to the high windy rocks – and again – have a nice
view over the bay. We walk on the cliffs and tune the guitars for a
couple of songs.
By the way, this year we even managed to print a two-coloured poster
– basically very simple and plain, two figures with guitars in the
dark – the other one has got his arm raised in the air, while the
other one remains in the background –we thought this image hopefully
reflects the feeling and atmosphere of our duo-based live-set. Later
on we’ll see what kind of artwork and photos the whole line up will
bring to ‘Valley Below-image’.
Down below there is the sea and the Wooden quarters of Naantali.
We’re walking back and forth. Climbing the standing stones. Tryin’
to forget what’s going on, the photo session. Again tune the guitars
for couple of songs. ‘No Drama’ turns out to be the catcher. This is
a fresh new song and I’ve already noticed it has got its’ own sort
of power and peace in it. Feelings arise. And as we’re reaching the
outro part where there are these spoken verses, well, this is just
where the written lines are very thin, pretty close to the cliché –
and at the same time collective memory brings us close to the times
when one plus one is more than two. Don’t know. Just a piece of
peaceful music and a simple piece of lyric? Allright that’s surely
enough. I don’t feel like commenting my own stuff. So cut it out man.
And this couple of listeners have got something in the corner of
their eyes.
The other day I scrolled for the first time the Official
Van Morrison
Website and came across with a good definition of the Man’s work.
Again, to cut the long story short, in Van’s work Love and Nature
could be seen as agents of healing.If this is what ‘No Drama’ is
about – I don’t mind. Well, I’m sinking … again I come across with
some precious tunes all through the years. This is to say memories
and music mix together. Or the music and its atmosphere leaves its
traces in the memory. This is where I’m thinking about my son and
some other faces I’ve loved through the years. And all the
relationships once collapsed, and in the end left me with special
Souvenirs. Nobody can take them away from me. the music remains in
the background. I’m positive.
Marathon-Set, the Songs in Merisali
Naantali, 3.8.2005
The evening leads us to, should I say, a Marathon-gig. Or in fact
the total of three sets. We start just after the evening vesper
about 8.15 pm. The terrace in Merisali is filled with dinner-people.
Families. Of course we do know this is not the right venue for us –
well, never do that – never say this is not the right venue - there
never is a wrong venue…always, always you can explore there is at
least this single person listening …that’s for sure…
Even if there are about 20 songs our own original material on the
set list, we’ve got to play some of the songs twice tonight. I
guess, that is not a problem, whereas during the last set the
audience has probably changed to completely another one – and
instead of eating, they are concentrating on beer and cider. This is
the summer night. Well, the first two sets last about 30-40 minutes.
What we think is that the songs should be treated in a mellow and
somewhat sensitive way - concentrating on vocal harmonies. 3rd and
the last set should then be the usual ‘power-pop hassle’. And in
the end this is what we played during the night:
1st set:
20.15-21.00
Spring Fair
Capel Curig
In Gratitude
Dog Day
Selling Down the River
The Catcher
Handyman
Positive
Blue-Collar-Bill
2nd set:
21.30-22.10
The Taming
Jukeboxing
And the Morning
Reptiles
My Oyster
Souvenir
Primitives
Solstice
3rd set
23.00-00.15
Intro: ‘A Sort of Homecoming
Dog Day
Jukeboxing
Handyman
Souvenir
Capel Curig
Primitives
In Gratitude
And the Morning
Reptiles
Clicks
The Taming
Positive
Blue-Collar-Bill
Driving On
Running Rite
No Drama
Spending the next day drifting round the rainy streets of the town.
Alone. Feel like a perfect stranger - in a good sense. Slow motion
in a café and the deserted streets – not because of any hangover,
no, nothing like that – this is just the opposite to the hectic
action of the performance. And daily swimming routine. Reading. What
I’ve been reading through the tour is
Suzanne Vega’s collection of
her lyrics in ‘Bullet in Flight’. I recall her strong performance in
Helsinki back in 1998. This slender and small lady with her acoustic
guitar. Remember buying her first and second album – and then she’s
almost forgotten – at least for me. Well, the lyrics are still as
strong as the live-show. Good singer-songwriter tradition. ‘Marlene
watches from the wall’. After all these years many lyrics reveal
another new perspective.
‘I think it’s called our
destiny that we’re changing’
Thanks for all the folks who made our stay in Naantali pleasant and
memorable. Thanks for all of you who shared the summer day, the
music and the meal and the whole experience. Thank you Tapsa, Eva,
Kari, Kirsi and all the others – you know who you are - for the good
company – before, during and after the gig - most of all, thanks for
listening … may the road --- and so on …
Goodbye the
Square One
Vilppula, 5.-6.2005
This is where we started. This is where we were asked to play – at
least this one last time. Allright, after having a good lunch and
the last good swim in Naantali in a good company – it’s time to move
on. We’re a little bit busy again. Soundcheck and the sauna and all
the stuff. There are the familiar faces among the small crowd. The
usual set, for me a little bit nervous one, is carried out with a
routine.
There are couple of very complex and unusual songs – ‘Reptiles’
being the twisted blues-oriented jingle-jungle track.
‘Blue-Collar-Bill’ as mentioned couple of times before, is a
difficult on vocals. Probably takes some time before we’re able to
include some deeper understanding and authentic atmosphere on this
area of rhythm-blues-based material. This will be a long and
lasting summer night with some very special people we know. This
feels like something is left behind. And something is about to
begin. If nothing more, I guess a Warm Farewell.
PS. ‘A Sort
Of Summary’
On our way back home – or should I say – it was me heading back to
Jyväskylä and the melody-master Heikki with his company straight to
Vantaa and Ankkarock – looking forward
The Posies-gig. What I was
thinkin’ was the idea how many are the acoustic duos travelling
‘round Finland with their own, original material to perform. What I
do know it is not probably the easiest toil to bring own, English
tunes among summer-in-the-city-people.
However there is a strong feeling we and our music are growing and
moving to the right direction. The gig in Vilppula probably ended
and era in VB-history. This means we’re going get on with the work
as a band. What comes to these diaries, great deal of these words
seem to be about people and life – and ‘cause the point of view is
mine and only mine - they are surely somewhat inward and personal.
Musical matters are not discussed in a technical sense. I’m not the
right person for that.
What occurs to me the most, and I guess this is also a part of
Valley Below-philosophy, rather than to amuse or entertain masses,
or what someone would call ‘pop-rock-police’ we would like to see
the reaction of a single person in the audience. If a Song of ours
can touch a single person, it hopefully can touch another single
person as well.
To
the top
Running Rites 2004 - The
Diary
(Jyväskylä,
July 2004 as written down by AP Kivinen)
photos: Jussi Jyväsjärvi
Facts:
In July 2004
Valley Below toured as acoustic duo. The luggage included two
acoustic guitars, two voices, 17 songs – and a will to take the
tunes further.
The route was as follows: Oulu – Oulainen – Kokkola – Jyväskylä –
Vilppula – Tampere – Naantali – Helsinki.
During the
tour duo played a numerous of gigs on the streets, terraces,
marketplaces and music bars. This is a sort of diary and notebook,
which was written both during and after the hectic Running Rites
2004 – tour. Like any other diary, this is probably inward, but
hopefully includes also something for its reader so that it’s
worthwhile to check. Wanna follow the two buskers on the streets and
music bars – read more here! (>)
Heading North
Wednesday
7.7.2004
Day 1:
Jyväskylä - Oulu
I’m on my way. Woke up at 5, after a couple of hours of restless
sleep. This is the very first morning of our long awaited Summer
Tour. Rough plan, should I say Plan A, is to travel throughout this
vast land, all the way from Oulu to Helsinki. To meet old friends
and possibly make some new ones. And to take these songs on the
streets, marketplaces and bars on the way. To bring these songs
among people. Let the songs live their own life. But as I said this
is the Rough plan: everything’s open, nothing’s set in stone.
I’m not used to this. As always, sleeping in a bus is impossible. I
haven’t got any books, nor any music with me … good chance to find
out something about these strangers. One of them on his way to
Lapland, hiking. The other one is going to meet her family in Oulu.
Some talk about Finnish music Scene. Agreed there are loads of
excellent rock/pop-lyrics and high standard of songwriting in
Finland.
H, the Man himself, is waiting for me in busstation. It’s been
almost ten years since my last visit to Oulu. My picture is somehow
a bit grey one, since I did my military service here. But that’s
another story. What we’ll do, is the bottom line. Jogging, swimming
and tuning our guitars on the beach. Pålle, an old friend for H,
joins us – so it’s like three acoustic guitars warming up these
tunes for the tour. This will be a good exercise. I wonder how our
voices are able to carry us through this, one could say, not long –
but even more intensive Summer Tour through the country.
Rotuaari seems to be very lively and exactly packed enough to start
with our first street-set. All in all it’s like kicking our arses to
begin – just like young mules or calves outdoors after a long, dark
winter -- you probably know. In the audience of conscious stream
there are two teenagers asking for some Green Day. What we serve is
our own ‘Primitives’, the premiere. Working. H seems to have lots of
energy, at least he’s jumping and somehow leading this whole
performance in the crossroads. What we think afterwards, we needed
to spit out the overload, and that’s surely what we did. There’s
also this native speaking lad telling me ‘You Guys don’t sound like
Finnish’. A way to go, Man!
It’s getting cloudy. And we end up counting our street-saldo indoors
in Tervahovi. Of course this god damn thing is all about money. One
more cup of black coffee ‘for we go – you know - and this young
lady, the waitress herself, asking us to play at least one of our
tunes – and it’s ‘In Gratitude’. Throughout the Tour this piece of
nice music is dedicated to all the women in the audience. Well, and
the other two ladies, sipping their white wine during the heavy
showers, listening H picking out the first chords on the
Mini-Grand-Piano in the corner of the bar. A sort of rehearsal. ‘The
Day of the Spring Fair’ and ‘ Liverpool’. These songs are definitely
not music for the masses. What we really need is no more than just a
couple of good ears. Applause.
After the heavy showers, the marketplace has somehow deserted. We
were promised a gig in Aittatori, which seems to be impossible for a
long while. The waiting game. And the sun re-appears. We play the
total of 15 songs. This time we’re asked some CCR, but that’s not
our cup of tea – ‘Blue-Collar-Bill’ is the answer. Not bad. This
child is for the first time out of the living room … once again a
way to go. It’s as hot as can be. Sweating.
I want to see the shore, the sea in its whole entity. Wanna dive and
see what’s underneath. This is me. Definitely. The first day – just
a little bit of enthusiasm and variable weather, the sand is
sticking between the toes, just singing, heading onwards to
Oulainen. This is a start. A good start. Anyway.
Couple of Good Lessons
Thursday
8.7.2004
Day 2:
Oulainen
There’s gonna be a good rehearsal today. It’s taking place in the
living room, I’ve heard a lot of stories about rehearsals and even
gigs in this room. There must be a good spirit for some nice
pop-music in this room. Jussi (the drums) and Tuomo (bass) are
joining us, as well as Pålle (the guitar). So we’re gonna be just
like a real band. To be honest, this is the second time with the
whole combo – and although it is just me and H touring as acoustic
duo, I’m really looking forward the day we’re on stage with the
whole group of Valley Below-people.
Ok. In the end we’ll find the right address to get the PA-equipment
needed. And we plug and play for something like for 4 hours.
Atmosphere is relaxed. This time even singing is in decent scale – I
mean the first rehearsal was more or less chaotic – to introduce
like the total of 15 brand new songs to the guys and then try to
cope with that. Even for the bass player this is too much. And me
and my voice. Wondering somewhere thereabouts in the middle of
nowhere. That was my own moor. But this time we’re light years
above. Rhythm section and three acoustic guitars – well, we still
miss the electric guitars, but that’s all right – that’ll be the
next part of the chapter … we get something like 18 songs nailed on
MD, real VB-live. A good lesson.
There’s no need to play on any street in Oulainen. But there is a
grand plan to be plugged as duo in the Old Mill on the bank of
Pyhäjoki. And again, it’s a good question of weather. Heavy clouds
and rain, most of the time. However, it’s gonna be an outdoor gig,
listeners including a good group of local pop-rock oriented
youngsters. And since we’re in H’s childhood surroundings, he knows
most of the older brothers and sisters for these people. And tonight
H has got a red guitar. It’s pure blood. That is to say; nothing is
planned. The old wound starts to bleed. Lucky man, there’s always
someone wise enough to carry the plaster in her bag. And we go on
rocking as much it is possible with two acoustic guitars. And no
sign of rain.
Next morning, at breakfast listen to the MD and realise (like many
times before) we’re a lit bit uptempo – like if we wanted to get
away with the songs, away from the stage. Of course there’s plenty
to do. Learning to lean on these songs. ‘…closer than the
four-leaf-clover, / and you start all over / like the New Rover. //
Today, this is a good start …Again.’
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The Ocean of Trials
Friday
9.7.2004
Day 3:
Kokkola
This is where I spent my childhood days playing football, mostly
dreaming something that would happen then, when … you know. The
river has run for so many years and I’m glad to say I don’t feel
like a prodical coming home, no more. As if we’ve learned something
about yesterday’s - should I say a little bit hectic performance.
There will be no more than three sets today. And we’ll kick off on
Isokatu. This is a some kind of Summer Fair taking place on the
street. People selling and buying all sorts of things. And enough
passers-by for us to play.
As always, people are a little bit too shy to come a little bit
closer. And a funny detail is that quite often children are given
the task to throw the few coins for us. Today, this is busking at
its best. Enjoying ourselves, song by song, in no hurry. Sunny day.
It’s like letting go, letting the music rule and keeping feet on the
move. Definitely an experience for the whole body. Once again the
songs are taking the leading role.
And there are also a couple of nice coincidences. And old friend of
ours, and her family is nowadays living in Kokkola, and suddenly
they’re in front of us on the street - there we’ll have a real
fan-club by the side of the street.
And the songs; surprisingly this slow-down-tempo in ‘Jukeboxing’ is
working just fine, at least for me. And I’m learning to love this
working-class-tribute ‘Blue-Collar-Bill’. It’s almost like an
anthem, with emphasis on the word almost. And what I like the most
is the dark side of the lyrics. And the fact that, I don’t know if
the melody-maker himself agrees, but I think, this is not typical
songwriting for H - nor even typical song for Valley Below. This is
Valley-Below-Blues.
There will be another set shortly after this one. This time we’ll be
plugged again. The stage is set in corner of Chydenius-park. And
what we’ll do is to play for 40 minutes, it’s like 10 songs. If only
they sang in Finnish, is one of the comments heard during these
sessions. I know, but there wasn’t any other solution, these lyrics
were given to me in English – and these lyrics were composed, as far
as I can tell, in the knowledge this is the only way. Were we born
in the wrong country?
Everything seems to be in its right place. After all we’re able to
use the same PA in the evening, when there’s going to be the night
show in front of the old ship Krunni. A little bit of sad detail is
that this old ship has been taken to dry land. What a shame and
destiny … as well as sometimes a gig can be a desert plain. Have to
struggle home through some difficulties. This time it means broken
strings and therefore couple of breaks in the routine. It’s like
starting all over again twice. And the third start, when the strings
finally remain unbreakable, we’ll get closer to the point. There’s
some kind of rage in the air. It’s midnight. You know this time. And
the air is humid as it can be on the seaside town. And if couple of
acoustic-six-strings can rock, this is it. Heavy. And there are more
people gathering around the old ship. To be honest, after all I feel
like a working-man. Afterwards a good pint of Newcastle Brown Ale.
Meeting old friends. And another pint.
Can’t sleep. This adrenaline. Taking a short walk in the oldest part
of the town. There’s a certain peace in the middle of these wooden
buildings. Can’t believe someone is lucky enough to live his life in
this kind of surroundings. This is what I miss in my old hometown.
And once again, the Ocean. Am I sinking in this romantic mood again.
Fair enough.
Tightrope and the Roller-Coaster
Saturday
10.7.2004
Day 4:
Kokkola - Jyväskylä
After the breakfast we’re on the road again. Present hometown here
we come. Tired is the word for the day. And I’m driving. And tellin’
stories one can just imagine a guy too tired in the middle of the
tour, in the middle of the forests and on the road can tell. Well,
we also come across with more serious discussion. The question is:
Does it really take a man to be Elliot? I disagree. And remember
Stuart Adamson – as well as some other even more famous, truly sad
stories in popular music. We come across with this question, while
listening to a copy of fabulous Spiritual Partners-cd. H knows these
guys, who have nailed their songs in their living room by using just
one mic. There is a great sense of understanding the Lo-Fi tradition
and also outstanding songwriting.
Quick lunch and more restless stories to be proud of. Ok. We’re a
little bit late and lazy on the street 4.30 PM. The voice has got
its edges and god damn these strings again. After changing the
strings we’ll do ‘Driving on’ and ‘Running Rite’ and go straight
ahead to Poppari. This must be the lowest point of the
roller-coaster so far. It takes a man to stand up and do this
soundcheck. But it’s done, finished. Woke up for a little while.
What I really need are all the good Rites. It’s like running and
swimming. A good shower and a meal. This concentrating. Has this
something to do with pop/rock-music. Drinking coffee. Black. Loads
of it. I really don’t know what to expect this evening. Poppari is
the most familiar place for us. This is where we started. And this
is the 4 th gig here. They’ve been so friendly to us that I’d always
love to play a good gig here.
Naked. That’s the word for touring like this. Just the two of us,
two acoustic guitars and two voices to carry these songs. Tightrope.
We really are without the aid of safety net here. No rhythm section
to make things easier. It’s just the two of us – and the songs. I
feel it’s either working or not. Tonight, I finally realise what is
the meaning of the audience. This one is excellent. As if they knew
some of the songs. And of course this couple breaking the ice,
dancing in ‘Capel Curig’. It’s slow motion. And to realise there are
some familiar faces in the crowd. This feels like home, for a while.
And although we don’t do covers, we feel like adding short extracts
from some of the suitable classics … this means there has to be some
kind of connection to our own music or lyrical themes. And if this
works, why not. There are already couple of them.
Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Sound of Silence’ may sound a little bit too obvious a
choice, but we just felt it’s working as intro our own ‘Running
Rite’ – this tiny little epic, which usually has the honour of the
closure in our gigs.
After the set, there is this guy from Helsinki asking whether we’ve
got any
www-pages. Hopefully soon enough. This time everything
seemed to work out fine. After all it’s been a good day. And there
will also be a good break for two days in the tour. This is what we
really need before the other half of the tour begins.
‘You Think Your Balls and Holding Hands’
Tuesday
13.7.2004
Day 7:
Jyväskylä – Vilppula
Probably the longest soundcheck so far. Feel like singing some stuff
from the past. Old teenage favourites, such as ‘Just a Shadow’.
There was a warming up on the marketplace in Vilppula. Not too many
people around. But no gig’s in vain. This is learning all the time.
Most of the time.
And in the evening, one could say there is more spontaneous chat and
again a certain connection between us and the audience. Of course
there are people H knows very well, since this is the place where he
stays at the moment. However, it seems to me, some of the lyrics and
punclines are really caught by the listeners. Especially ‘Handyman’,
one of our first collaborations, seems to work lyrically. For me as
the writer, the best prize is to realise those reactions, smiles and
nods in the audience. And this time there’s a chance for real
encore. And of course for couple of pints of lager.
Echoes of the Nature – Peaceful Panorama
Wednesday 14.7.2004
Day 8: Tampere – Naantali
One more rainy day. Whatever the cost, we try to stick in routines.
Take a short run in Pispala: ‘Up and down the number of the stairs’.
My music echoes in the words and the lyrics. While running, it’s
basically stream of consciousness. Words and phrases come and go.
Some of them borrowed and mixed in my head, possibly ending up to
some new lyric. The moment to mention is the view over the lake,
peaceful panorama. And always the shout. Valley Below. And the
echoes of the nature. Covering … a lot.
And that’s almost all left to say. Our short visit to Tampere is
mostly waiting for the blue sky never to appear. On the street our
short set is interrupted by a good shower and the passers-by seem to
carry this ‘Rush-Hour-Soul’. Tammerfest is about to begin, but as
we’re unable to start the gig in the marketplace, we end up heading
to Naantali. For us there’s no Festival today. What we need is a
good ‘Sundance’!
Ok, there’s plenty of energy after the ironic sessions in Tampere.
As we’ve harboured in Naantali, greeted an old friend of ours, we
are eager to find any stage to play. H is the man to organise these
things. You can just imagine the amount of phone calls and contacts
he’s made during these last weeks. Cheers mate! And sooner, even
earlier than expected we are picking our guitars and other equipment
needed – and off we go. There are these two guys playing everything
from blues to easy listening-stuff. And we fill their coffee-breaks
with some Valley Below-tunes. Allright. That’s what we really needed.
And some rest.
I’m Thinkin’ ‘bout a Peaceful Stream
Thursday 15.7.2004
Day 9: Naantali
One more busy day. After the morning sauna, Tapsa and Eva are
joining us to play some of their own material. Tapsa has written an
awful lot of melodies. And praise him, the lyrics are in Finnish. I
can hardly put my finger on this piece of music. Maybe some
background voices and that’s all. ‘Liekki’ is my favourite.
Sensitive approach. Some
Crowded House is shared as well. And
finally ‘Handyman’, which needs in our opinion a female voice to
fulfill the treatment. We want Eva to give it a try. I guess her
beautiful voice includes also the rough edge needed in this song.
Hopefully we’ll be able to hear it, when this piece of music is
about to be nailed.
There is a full street-set. And believe it or not, the weather is
perfect. Afterwards an old german lady – speaking fluent English,
gets closer and shares her aspects on present music. She thinks –
and I guess she’s talkin’ ‘bout this radio-oriented pop-stuff – in
her opinion most of the music lacks the spirit and is therefore
working only on rough level. What she thought was that there was
something in our songs which brought them to a sensitive level. I’m
just listening. Well, of course one can see we are devoted to these
tunes and probably that’s the only way to do. We’re almost like
dancing through the songs – and if only we‘re able to reach
someone’s eager ear – that’s enough for us.The difficulty in busking
is also that somehow the voice is blown, disappearing in the wind.
Sometimes it’s difficult to hear your friends voice. From time to
time it’s like shouting out loud – or at least easily you are likely
to end up screaming.
In front of the Gallery we are amplified. This time the keyword is
mellow. Unusual set. While leaning on these songs, I’m thinkin’
about peaceful stream. And as soon as we’ve finished, on the other
side of the street, these two guys devote themselves to old Neil
Young – standards. ‘After the Gold Rush’ and all the others classics
are working just – you know, there’s no need for words. Man, this is
the way to do covers.
And the evening in Merisali. Oh, boy – we must be mad. It’s
midnight. The jazz-swing-big-band has packed their van in 10
minutes, and we’re off again. Of course there was something like an
hour or two for us to swim or do whatever one needs to do. What we
do, is the routine –
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