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Interview taken by Veronica
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They are quickly becoming Finland's claim to fame in the international music
industry: His Infernal Majesty, or as they are known all over Europe, HIM. The CD Razorblade Romance is in any case a breath
of fresh air in the mainstream album charts. And much of that is owed to leading man Ville Valo, singer, composer and sex
symbol in the making...
Veronica: His Infernal Majesty... whoever
came up with that name?
Ville: "The name His Infernal Majesty was intended as a joke. But
people thought, because of our name and the fact that we're from Scandinavia, that we were Satan worshippers! And that of
course totally attracted the wrong crowd, so we decided to use the name HIM."
Veronica: Talking about Satan and other creepy
business... according to some rumours you are a descendant of Count Dracula. True or false?
Ville:
I wish I knew! My grandmother, who was of Hungarian/Romanian origins, did claim that we are descendants of Dracula. But she
is dead now, and I can't ask her about that anymore. I am doing some research on it, because it would be very cool to be a
relative of a vampire. But I myself am absolutely not into blood, you know. I'd rather have a good glass of red wine!"
Veronica: Next rumour. Is it true
that you worked in a sex shop?
Ville: That is not a rumour, that's true! Well, it was just the moonlight. My dad
has had a sex shop for years now, and so it was just obvious that I would help out behind the counter. I started doing that
when I was fifteen, so I did get some strange looks from the customers. But after a while, you just don't care about those
dildos and butt plugs anymore! Besides, a baker doesn't nibble from his own bread all day either, does he? It was a period
in which I didn't know what I was going to do anyway. Take up a study or find a real job? The longer I worked in that sex
shop, the more it became clear to me that I needed to do something creative. I was always writing poems so the shift to song
writing wasn't that big."
Veronica: Love is an important
subject in your music. Isn't it difficult to have a relationship when you're in a band?
Ville: Unfortunately I
don't have time for a girlfriend. And I'm also not into one-night stands. Well okay, every now and then. The boys in the band
are my platonic lovers. Sometimes I buy clothes for the rest of the band. Things you would normally do for your girlfriend.
But in this case it is also to prevent my colleagues from becoming smelly, because those guys will easily walk around in the
same unwashed trousers for two months. Dirty! But then again, I'll think to myself, that is rock 'n' roll. I would like to
have a muse to whom I could dedicate my work, but unfortunately, that's just not the case for now. Anyway, the constant lack
of sex offers enough inspiration to write beautiful songs! |
New Rhythm magazine interview
Journalist: When do you feel closer to heaven? When you're making music, or when you're making
love?
Mige: When I'm
in a plane - in a pure physical way.
Ville: In an abstract way, when I'm in love. That's really heavens feeling. When you feel love you're able to forget
yourself and just start enjoying life. That's really hard, but many pieces from heaven exist, millions of them, every
day!!!
J: Which feeling gives you more creative energy love, sorrow or
pain?
Ville: Each emotion
can be creative. Here again I should mention yin and yang principle. It's not just about feeling sadness or
happiness.
Mige: And anger
isn't a demolishing feeling, but it depends on that how you're going to get rid of it. It would be a bad thing if you want
to hit someone because you're angry, but when you just go to
the park and scream your pain, that is positive for yourself!
J: In three
of the three HIM albums on the cover there's your face, Ville. In the videos you're the dominating figure. Do you think that
a bunch of
people can think you for an egocentric?
Ville: Oh? Oh, egocentric, ha? If my confidence can be
counted as egocentrism its a good thing. If we didn't believe in ourselves, what were
we going to do? We bust our asses from work, for 10 years We have nothing to regret for.
J: Ville, in your
deep, emotional voice sometimes can be felt something like groaning, and when we add the specific magnetize tones... When
you have a concert you're letting your feelings out. Does this make you feel too much excited on the stage?
Mige: Too much? How so?
J: Something like over thrilling? If you know what I mean.
Ville: Oh! That way, you want to say! Hmmm I see. Noooo, thats different. When your body is full
of adrenalin you don't think about fucking, pissing, shitting, eating or anything like that. Just when you're on the stage you reach that emotional moment, when you don't think about yourself. It's something like meditation, you start flying and when the whole band reaches that feeling it's something beautiful! Well, its beautiful
for us. But it's hard for
me to excite on the stage, when I see that huge hairy men next to me...do u understand that me!!! That doesn't excite me.(laughs)
Mige: But when that happens we'll have to run from the stage!!! (laughs)
J: Ville
works well as a front man, bass guitarist and drummer. It was he who played the drums in Lilys soul album! (2001 There Linde
has named himself as Daniel Lioneye). How did that happen?
Mige: Daniel
needed a specific type of drums sound for the project and Ville was the person, who
was able to do that. Ville's way of playing is rare for Finland. And it's hard to search for enough creative musician, that
you can synchronize with.
For that you need a skilful man
J: Can
you tell me about one crazy dream of yours?
Mige: Oh, I
dont want to tell you, its terrifying!
J: What
is worth to cry for?
Ville: Everything!!!
J: Its
known, that after your tour youre going into a studio to record the new album. In September,
right? How is it going to sound?
Ville: We've already written the songs.
The new album won't be so soft, it'll be HEAVY!!! Each album is different. There's no
sense to do again and again that what you've already done once.
Interview with Ville
Journalist:
Are you as romantic in life, as you're in your videos?
Ville: Nearly 2 %. Many people think, that they know me, just because theyre listening to my music. Thats silly. Musicians
are not transparent!
J: Because of your dark music and Satan symbols people think you have something to do with the
Satanists
Ville: I hate happy music, and these symbols are something different for me. Death is
not just the dieing; its a way to get away from this shitty world. The question is not just to cut your veins, its to die
for love.
J: That
sounds romantic
Ville: Im not romantic at all. In fact, whats romantic? I think that roses and candles are clichés. I have always hated
roses and Im not a big fan of candles I always drink wine from plastic glass.
J: Is it true that youre Kate Moss fan?
Ville: No, I like fat ladies he laughs- No, serious! Skinny women are fashionable
now, but that doesnt interest me. Every girl has something beautiful in her soul. It doesnt matter if shes fat or thin. That
has nothing to do with her personality.
J: Are
you getting many letters from your fans?
Ville: I have no idea! Im not reading them. Thats other peoples work. I dont want to
read things like Youre a great band, I admire you.
J: Have
you ever asked yourself, how many kids have been made, while your music was playing?
Ville: OOO - he laughs- I prefer not to say! Probably theyre monsters!
I hope theyre at least little normal!
J: How
many tattoos do you have, Ville?
Ville: Five, the biggest is on my left arm. Its nice, opposite to the pain I felt
J: Did you cry?
Ville: You bet! For hours! (Laughs)
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