Interviews: Ciminero

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Occult Rock band Ciminero 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?

The name is a portmanteau of Italian words "cimitero" (cemetery) and "nero" (black). The goal was to come up with a unique name, so what´s better than a non-existing word? This way when people search for our music, we are the only band coming up in the search. Plus, being a band from Finland, it gives an exotic extra point for sure!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We probably didn't decide to play exactly this type of music, it was just the most natural thing to do with the members of the band. Valentina is a great singer who provokes others to write melodic and sometimes non-distorted parts in addition to heavy riffs that make up the music we play.

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

No, it was music that brought us together.

4. Each band member's favorite band? 

Jukka: It’s way too situational to name only one band. But I like Black Sabbath :) 

Valentina: I agree with Jukka! But if I had to choose only one band…then it´s Death!

Paavo: Let’s go with Rytmihäiriö.

Waltteri: I probably love Thin Lizzy the most!

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Jukka: Seeing other bands live is a huge source of inspiration for me. I'm also a bit of a music theory nerd so I really enjoy trying different theory concepts in my own writing.

Paavo: Anything that speaks to me; music, art, events, even tv-shows. Life in general is very inspirational.

Valentina: Other people's music and lyrics, the human psyche, and the spiritual world are probably the biggest inspirations. In particular traumas and their healing, plus astrology, astronomy/space, religion, nature, tarots, and witchcraft.

6. Where was your last gig?

In Turku, 22.10.2022

7. Where would you like to act?

Valentina: The sky's the limit! Playing in Sweden, Norway, and Italy would be near-future places I would like to play.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We are open to collaborations!

9. Whom not?

Abusers, liars, exploiters, narcissists.

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

I think a certain degree of stage fright must be accepted in live performance as a ”part of the deal” if you don't do 100 gigs a year. But at this point, it's mostly considered as a thing that gives an extra spice to life situations. Being well-prepared is probably the best tip, if you know you can play/sing your parts well, you won't be that nervous about making mistakes. It's also good to accept that mistakes will be made playing life, but the audience probably notices 20% of them. More important than avoiding mistakes is to make it look like you're enjoying being on stage. Regarding vocals, it's important to know your own voice and be confident that you have the skills, know the lyrics, and have a great team supporting you. And above all, even if you fuck up, no one will know if you are chill about that 😀

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Jukka: Metallica was definitely the band that made me pick a guitar as a teenager, but Kyuss was the one that really introduced me to the aesthetics of slow and heavy music.

Paavo: Limp Bizkit made me want to be in a band as a kid and I got into slow heavy stuff with Black Sabbath.

Valentina: I have always been into heavier tunes like death metal. I grew up with Death, Cannibal Corpse, Nile, and many more. Surely listening to Mansion, Jex Thoth, Jess, and the Ancient Ones and Blood Ceremony surely inspired me to sing this kind of music.

Waltteri: The most "formative" ones for me are the heavy bands from New Orleans like Down, Eyehategod, and Crowbar, and finding what inspired them through interviews and such, leading to bands like Saint Vitus, Trouble, Melvins. 

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

Nothing crazy for now! 😀

13. What do you think of your fans?

They are the best!

14. What do you think of our site?

It´s music heaven! Plenty of quality content.

15. Something to add?

Thank you for this interview!