Interviews: IAmber

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Post-Metal/ Post-Rock/Progressive Metal/Progressive Rock band,  IAmber from  Finland. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

There was some kind of thought process about the visual aspects the music we aspired to create would bring to mind, the colours of autumn and some existential things, but it could be that the details are lost in the static. It's not the coolest name for a band but the music has given it meaning, at least for us.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We all were very into many different bands which ended up forming the so-called post-rock and post-metal genres, so in a way, it was natural to start exploring the same paths in the beginning. What initially drew us to this type of music was probably the mix of atmospheric and "tender" parts with very heavy riffs. Eventually, we would like to get past all strict genre classifications, and maybe we are slowly starting to get on that path already.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Yes, we knew each other quite well from hanging out in the same circles. We are all from the same very small town so the group of like-minded people there was pretty small in general, so considering the music scene, everybody knew everybody.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Sorry, It's almost impossible to name just one band since the artists that everyone is listening to and getting into vary so much from time to time. It seems the more you dig into the music, the harder it is to name favourites.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

The inspiration for any one song could come from many different sources, for example, a picture, location, other music we have heard, an event that has happened or maybe just an idea about an atmosphere we like to reach. Almost always it is a combination of all of this and sometimes it is very hard to afterwards recollect and pinpoint all the influences that have caused a particular song to form.

6. Where was your last gig?

It was at this small club in Helsinki called Lepakkomies (stick that in your Google Translator and smoke it, you might get something familiar). It's a nice place to play and the evening had good energy.

7. Where would you like to act?

If you mean "act" like in a movie or a stage play, we would like to be in a film by Aki Kaurismäki. If you mean where we would like to play our music, there are a lot of places to list when you really start thinking about it, but basically, that would be any place where there are people who actually want to hear our music live and are curious about it and the atmospheres it may create. To think of one concrete answer: our dream would be to play at the Roadburn Festival.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Over the years we have shared stages with a diverse group of interesting bands who have contributed to the atmosphere of the concert as a whole and made it great, so that is how we would like to continue. There are too many interesting artists to mention.

9. Whom not?

At least in our immediate "scene" there is not an artist that we wouldn't like to do shows with.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

There is always a type of excitement or nervousness before going on stage, but in a way, it gives you the energy to get into the right place and flow with the music. Although it varies from person to person, maybe you can never really beat it but you can get used to it in a way and learn how to make it work to your advantage. We have this saying in Finnish: pakko vaan vetää, saatana.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

In general, artists who are exploring and seeking to find new ways to look and listen and always evolving their sound.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Our fans haven't really asked anything of us, maybe some encores at a live show but we never play them.

13. What do you think of your fans?

They are interesting and beautiful people with nice taste in music.

14. What do you think of our site?

In general, it is a good thing to have music sites and media that are picking up things outside of the mainstream and giving them a place to be heard. So in that regard, you are doing nice work.

15. Something to add?

Maybe a little salt?