Interviews: STANDARD HUMAN EXPERIENCE

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Rock band, STANDARD HUMAN EXPERIENCE 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 did it come out just like that?

Sami: We certainly didn't come up with it overnight! We had dozens of names for the band and finally during the late stages of recording our debut album Joel & Tom came up with the name.

Tom: I was joking about Mark Zuckerberg being a poorly disguised android attempting to ''greet fellow humans'' with a ''standard human greeting protocol'' or something. The joke gave Joel the idea to the name Standard Human Experience, I believe.

Joel: Yeah, basically it was all about a play on words. I have a thing for them and it just randomly came to my mind once.

Sami: We noticed it also works flawlessly abbreviated as S.H.E!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Sami: We didn't choose to play any genre. The songs came to be like they are naturally. Tom composed the songs and since he is heavily influenced by old school prog rock they came out like that. The rest of the band gave their own flavours to the mix.

Joel: What can I say... I love prog.

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

Sami: Yes. I have known Tom since 2014 and we have played in many bands together before S.H.E. Joel, Touko and I attended the same high school and we all have common acquintances. Actually we all have been in the same bands before but never all four of us at once before this band.

Joel: Yup, we've been in the same circles for quite some time.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Sami: I don't have a favourite band at the moment. I would like to a give a shoutout to Eiro Nareth who makes beautiful fingerstyle music, synthwave group The Midnight and lately I've been enjoying Ghost which I didn't really like at first. Gary Moore, Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica would be my picks for the bands that inspired me the most when I started playing the guitar.

Tom: I like bands / artists such as The Police, Genesis, Lenny Kravitz and Queen, but I have to say that Rush is my all time favourite band.

Touko: Tool, DARKSIDE, The Microphones and Radiohead are the acts that seem to never disappear from my musical headspace. They are my all time favorites because each of them provided a new perspective to music as a whole when I was first getting into them.

Joel: Right now, that must be Genesis. I do like many kinds of genres, from IDM and industrial to chamber jazz.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Sami: Life experiences, muses, philosophy, nostalgia, longing and wanting to find melodies to express myself. The people closest to my heart usually inspire me the most. The ones that have got behind my defenses be it good or bad.

Tom: I do not know what exactly inspires me. I guess that i just get inspired at random moments, and start to put ideas together until they start to sound like music.

Touko: It's mainly the pure joy of creation. The feeling: we just made something out of nothing. I think its a basic human trait that for me manifests through music.

Joel: I find letting my thoughts wander in the shower or in the shitter to be the most conducive for musical inspiration. Or for making major life choices. I'm sure many can relate to that.

6. Where was your last gig?

Sami: We haven't gigged with this band yet. My last gig was at Teatria, Oulu in last September opening for Reckless Love with my other band Groupie High School.

Tom: As Sami stated, we haven't had any gigs yet, mainly because of COVID-19 restrictions. My and Joels last gig was with our other, now broken up band Sirakh.

Joel: A livestream thing with my previous (gothic metal) band, Sirakh.

7. Where would you like to act?

Sami: I'm not sure what this question means. If it means where I would like to play then I would say for starters some food gigs at Oulu, Jyväskylä and Helsinki. I'm also interested and planning on playing in St. Petersburg and Stockholm.. 

Tom: Since we are a very small band, i don't have high expectations of places we could act. On the other hand, i think a tour through Europe, say, from Finland to Italy and back, would be very exiting to me.

Joel: Anywhere with a nice live club. Southern Finland first, but it would be nice to eventually test the waters around Scandinavia and the Baltics too.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Sami: GOTYE would be an interesting choice. Comeback with us!

Tom: Well, with anyone, really. It's always good to get know other artists.

Joel: Opening for The Aristocrats someday would be nice.

9. Whom not?

Sami: I don't have any specific artists that come to mind. It depends on the idea and the chemistry.

Tom: I want to be able to co-operate with pretty much anyone, so no answer to this one from me.

Joel: Nothing specific. I just think collaborations should not be with someone(s) too dissimilar. 

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

Sami: Being well-prepared is key. Warm-up, have the set rehearsed, do a proper soundcheck, have backups, get your blood flowing, keep hydrated and have a ready solution for potential problems. Know how to play the songs in the dark and in bright lights. Have guitar picks at the ready in pockets and attached to the mic stand and the amplifier.

Tom: I used to have a beer before a show, but i don't really recommend that to anyone. It degrades my ability to perform songs correctly. So like Sami said, being well-prepared is the answer. 

Touko: During my times at youth theatre I used to go to this same bathroom and imagine all of existance disappearing around its walls. The thought just popped to my head one time and I made it my ritual. This short moment of isolation is something I still seem to recreate before going in front of an audience.

Joel: For me it's harder/more stressful in the studio, where there is no room for hiccups. Of course, perfect is the enemy of great everywhere. It's best to have confidence in one's playing capabilities and just let the moment carry you.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Sami: Rush has to be one of our main influences. Genesis, Phil Collins, Radiohead and Yes have influenced this group a lot.

Joel: I don't think I have anything to add. Maybe you can hear a little bit of Tool influences at places. 

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

Sami: With my other band to wear his top hat during the show and during the next gig. He came and put the hat on my head while I was playing a guitar solo. 

Joel: More solos.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Sami: I appreciate their support sincerely and I'm open to interract with them. This band is still so young that we haven't really got fans yet.

Joel: That is something to consider after getting our name out there more.

Tom: I think it would be one of the greatest compliments to me personally if anyone would consider him/herself a fan of something we have created. So, i would be greatful and appreciate their support.

14. What do you think of our site?

Sami: I think it looks pretty good and I respect the time and effort you put in making music news.

Joel: It's a fine thing you've got there.

Tom: It looks nice and professionally made. I have nothing bad to say about it! 

15. Something to add?

Sami: I wish all you readers all the best and a great upcoming summertime. Go to a sauna!

Tom: As the releasing of Never Belong starts to get closer, we are already on the preproduction state of our next release. I have invested lots of time of writing new stuff last 6 months and i believe we have enough material by the end of summer.

Joel: S.H.E'll be back soon!