Interviews: FLUSH

This is a new interview with the Rock artist FLUSH 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, did you plan it or come out just like that?

We've had the name for so long that it's a bit like asking why we are the way we are! 'Flush' is short and simple, has several meanings, and it looks really cool as our new logo. It was a spontaneous idea that just stuck with us when we were much younger and thinking of starting a band.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We haven't really "chosen" a genre, we just play the kind of music we want to listen to ourselves. It then sounds a lot like other artists we like but is different enough to justify adding the songs to the universe of music.

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

Yes, we did. Every musician who has ever played in Flush has first been a friend before joining the band. The longest connection is between our drummer Börje and singer Lasse, who met when they were five-six years old, playing cowboys and indians.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Lasse (vocals): Bad Religion

Börje (drums): Foo Fighters

Janne (guitars): Nirvana

Eero (bass): Tool

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Real life. We write about real things that happen to and around us. Sometimes the lyrics are bare and concrete, and sometimes the story is told through metaphors, but it's always a real story. Love, anxiety, booze, politics, depression, community, break-ups, death... it's all there in our songs.

6. Where was your last gig?

We played a couple of shows in our hometown Helsinki just before summer and just before hitting the studio to record our new album. The album is now ready, comes out November 29th, and our next show is the day after, Saturday 30th, to celebrate the release of 'Noises', our second full-length album.

7. Where would you like to act?

As in, act in front of a movie or TV camera..? Then something slapstick where it's ok to look serious and be really uncomfortable in trying to act.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

I (Lasse, vocals) would love to one day feature either on or in The Hold Steady song. They are one of my big favorites and maybe the best storytellers in rock at the moment.

9. Whom not?

Actually, quite many. Come to think of it, it's easier to list whom to feature with than the opposite because it's not a big aspiration at all. But let's just say Taylor Swift to name someone. She is way too big and good.

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

Not stage fright, no. We're all somewhat introverted and don't put up any extravaganza in our shows, but we're all quite comfortable on stage and have always been that way. I personally find that the loudness of the music lets me hide in there, so that could be one way to approach it mentally if nerves play tricks with you. Hide in the noise.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Bad Religion, Nirvana, The Hold Steady, Pavement, Sonic Youth, Soundgarden, Helmet, Biffy Clyro, Against Me!, Spanish Love Songs, Radiohead, Amenra, Rage Against the Machine... and the list could go on and on and on...

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

Funny you should ask! I was just reading an email from (supposedly) a 75-year-old guy in Croatia who is asking us to mail him our upcoming CD and an autographed photo for his collection. No clue how he found us and what his collection looks like, but this is definitely a little different for us!

13. What do you think of your fans?

We would not be a band without someone coming to see us play or listen to our music. Sure, we write for ourselves and we are driven by playing live regardless of audience sizes, but the whole point of (our) music is the connection between the band, the songs, and the listener/audience. It's the most valuable connection there is.

14. What do you think of our site?

You are doing extremely valuable work for art and creativity by sharing stories about musicians, writers, performers, and fans, and it's all based on the real drivers and the real passion, not driven by revenue interests, social media engagement scores, or any of those drivers that are slowly but surely ruining music as an art form. Thank you for being a platform for real voices.

15. Something to add?

Support your local indie venues and artists! They need your support and money much more than Oasis and other stadium reunions.