Interview With JESSE's Ilari Larjosto
Class of Trono Ilari Larjosto has made a name for himself as part of Finland's heavy synth duo JESSE, while at the same time forging a rep for engineering unlikely solutions to studio problems. With a penchant for surreal comedy as well as low-budget effects, Ilari's world is one of lazer-eyed eagles and deadly exploding hot dogs, while banks upon banks of synths combine to open portals to another dimension. We caught up him recently to see what he's been smashing to smithereens lately, and to hear about the follow up to JESSE's last album. Tervetuloa!
RBMA: So what have you been up to these last few months?
ILARI: Well, I've been making tons of music and had a lot of fun in the studio and stages. The main focus has been on third JESSE album, which is now waiting for the final mixing which will be done with my huge recently completely recapped soundcraft TS24 console in an old school live automation and dubbing style. Besides the third JESSE album I have made few traxxx with Vilunki 3000 from Uusi Fantasia & Op:l Bastards and also I co produced & mixed Randy Barracuda's new album which will be released soon too. My last studio session took place in the christmas holiday with my friend Randy Barracuda. We hooked 15 analog synthesizers and a couple of drum computers together and routed their outputs to guitar and bass amplifiers and recorded live jams by mic-ing the amplifiers and room. Man that sounded so fresh and exciting. And as there is so much going on I almost forgot that I'm also working on my Doom / Kraut influenced band Colonization 337's debut album. It will be rather futuristic and heavy. Makes a good variation to my electronic projects.
RBMA: How was it following up Karaoke King, JESSE's last album?
ILARI: Actually this time it took quite long to make an album compared to our first two albums. But we're really happy with the result and I can't wait to get it released. We are now looking for an international label to release it and so far the feedback has been really good and we will see which will be the lucky label to release it.
RBMA: What was it like working with Jimi Tenor, and how did that collaboration come about? Have you been collaborating with anyone else recently?
ILARI: I met Jimi as he moved from Lahti to Helsinki and was looking for a new studio. By that time I had happened to just rent this quite big recording studio and were seeking for subtenants. Jimi moved in and we started jamming and making music. Jimi is really cool and talented dude and in a way we share similar insight on music and sound so it was easy to make the track with him. And he took it to a next level. On our third album we have one other quest vocalist and a couple of guest musicians but I can't tell you more yet.
RBMA: When can we expect another video like the one for Odotin Ihmettä?
ILARI: Just few days a go we had a video meeting with Mikko Mällinen who directed video for Odotin Ihmettä. We took couple of beers and came up with a script that will be super! I think we gonna film it soon and release it with the new album.
RBMA: What's happening in Finland's music scene at the moment? Is there much to inspire you, or do you not pay much attention to it?
ILARI: I think there's a really good electronic music scene in Finland at the moment. I try to sport it as much as possible, since I feel that there are so many things that should be huge! I hope that there will really be a finnish invasion in the international electronic music scene. We just need good promoters and managers to push things further.
RBMA: What projects have you got in the pipelines for 2012?
ILARI: For 2012 I want to put my main focus on JESSE, but also I'm going to record and produce a couple of finnish bands and work with my other projects mentioned above. And besides that I'm working on a project called how to rest and settle down as I'm not good in taking time for relaxing and having some spare time. For starters I'll go skiing to Lapland in January.
RBMA: Soundtrack for the end of the world?
ILARI: Opium Warlords, Death Hawks and some Detroit stuff! Doom thou wilt!
