What's cooking: Jaakko Eino Kalevi
Music Finland proudly introduces a brand new Q&A interview series "What's cooking"! The first interview in the series is with indie pop auteur extraordinaire, Jaakko Eino Kalevi, fresh out with his brand new solo record "Chaos Magic" on Domino Records, November 17th.
Describe your new album “Chaos Magic” with five adjectives.
Jaakko Eino Kalevi: "Electric, Psychedelic, Colourful, Tuneful, Dramatic"
Tell us an interesting detail about the recording of the album.
JEK: "The collaboration with Alma Jodorowsky was a nice surprise. Around the time of the recordings I was dj'ing in a local athenian bar. Alma came there and so we met. The next day she sang on 2 songs for the album. Such spontaneous and natural thing".
Why did you want to make a double album this time?
JEK: "The length of the album demanded it. I tried to make it shorter but it just didn't make any sense. Also my album “Modern Life” was a double so I thought why not, this has been done before".
What is the best double album in the world (if you can't name yours)?
JEK: "Veronique Vincent & Aksak Maboul with the Honeymoon Killers: Ex-Futur Album"
Your music is often described with the term "mystical". What do you think is the reason for this?
JEK: "Must be because I'm a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma".
You have lived (at least) in Jyväskylä, Helsinki, Berlin and Athens. Which of these places is your favorite and why?
JEK: "They all have their place in my heart. If I have to choose one I would say the Jyväskylä of Greece, Athens, because I live here now and try to focus on that".
What instrument would you like to learn to play?
JEK: "I can play far too many instruments already, but I would like to learn to play piano very well. Or harp".
What Finnish song would you recommend to all people in the world?
JEK: "Belaboris: Kuolleet Peilit"
Does saxophone belong in rock music?
JEK: "No, but it is permissible".
When was the last time you danced and what song was playing?
JEK: "It depends a little on what counts as dancing. But let's say: in a bar a few weeks ago to “Per Hasard” by Mikado".
If your music were a building, what or what kind of building would it be?
JEK: "It would be a pseudo-medieval castle in Neuschwanstein style of course!"
What was the name of the first song you wrote?
JEK: "I can't remember the name but it was a song I wrote in one of my first guitar lessons at the age of 10. I only used the open strings of an acoustic guitar".
What was your first gig like?
JEK: "It was with my first band “Masterpiece” at the youth house of Laukaa. All our 3 songs went well and the audience was cozy 10 people. I was 12 years old".
Which musician would you like to sing or play on your record?
JEK: "I would like to make a song with Robert Wyatt but I think he has already retired from making music."
Reggae or prog metal?
JEK: "Reggae".