Another band from Finland but a different one. No drums, no heavy stuff. It's not just folk either, i like to call it acoustic folk/rock. The melancolic sounds can tell it's Finnish, the lyrics (some are English) and the atmosphere. The passionate voice, melody's  with different guitarlines and backgroundvocals will pass and takes you away to green forests and blue lakes; exactly where you want to be when you hear it. Before the Kaiholmieli Valpas-EP, they made their first  demo and now a full album will follow. More information you can get from this small introduction-interview and on TheirSpace (MySpace) you're able to listen to some very good songs, where the bands proves their pure Finnish skills. Lyrics are dreamy, mythic…romantic also. One can call this total concept 'kitch' , others will call it 'art'. It's not a honderd procent perfect but the choice to make this kind of music can only be made by stout hearted idealists. Enjoy.


Would you introduce yourselfs?

We are an ambitious, inner space exploring music group called Valkyrend Varieté. Me, Tatu Metso aka Valkyr KäreitäR am the vocalist, percussionist and conceptionist. Atrain Kataja aka BeforEnd is the guitar player and dedicated decadent. Band formed at Nokia in 2003. We two met couple years earlier.


How did you meet, when did you got the idea to create together?

We met through musical circles, and a fact that Nokia has only very few bars! Idea of joining forces came through the need of my band Dyannand for a new guitar player, and it all finally cleared up as we met after one gig. We can recall "in joy and sorrow" playing in jukebox actually ;) First performance of Valkyrend Varieté took place at mental hospital. Such of Kaivanto in Kangasala. Our reward was 2 blood-red roses, which we kept crossed on our rehearsal place's wall for some time!

Your style is rather original. Was it a natural choice or other reasons?

All became naturally from the start, so it was no question of choice at all. The inspiration for the band happened, as just we two was usually at rehearsing place, as our other band's players did not show up.


Do you stick to this style or are you going to experiment as well?

Well, as we never really planned or discussed of any certain style, we will be doing what our heart tells us in future too. Valkyrend Varieté is an entity without limits nor barriers. "Feel, don't think" is pretty close to our sense of creating music.


Could you tell something about the lyrics? pagan-like? Mythology? experiences...where do they come from?

Lyrics are not planned, or "worked", but written through flow of mind's imagery and feel. Also personal experiences by the best effort to bring the emotions forth. In the means of belief, they are not pagan, but in their nature some influence must be there (Kalevala). That makes some of them even truly pagan one might say..


The biggest wish of VV is...

To make an individual feel or realise some things, that before possibly were just a dreaded glimpse in this "locked" modern world. And to encourage those who tend to view life's value the same way already.


So, this is the first album? is there comming more or is this a one-day thing?

"Kaihomieli Valpas" is not an album actually, it's an EP. Nothing that is not founded on the strong basis and "need", is not worthy. Valkyrend Varieté is making a full-length album at moment. First sample clip can be listened through for example: http://www.mikseri.net/valkyrend

Are you satisfied with the results so far?

Yes. There always is a wish of more studio time though.


What do you like most about living in Finland?

The nature of people's certain honesty and "woodsfolk attitude." Maybe it's also due to our fought wars, not that long ago still. It effects someway so many generations, including ours. Finns are generally very realistic, but often taken as distant and quiet (except Karelian Finns i might add..). Maybe due the past's high-priced battles by our grand parents. And of course, the nature of this land in it's enchantment and diversity goes without saying... Thousands 'n thousands of glimmery lakes, fells of north, vast forests and "Midnight sun."


Something that absolutely sucks overthere?

The political influence of European Union and some of it's silly regulations. You can't take precious things from people by setting laws. The practice just moves to a new place, and routes of gain change. More efficient to concentrate on infoing and satisfying replacement vision, if one wants any new reasonable direction. For example, in the time when it was liquer prohibition in Finland, people drank more than ever.


Something you like to share with us Dutchy's?

We want to thank you from our hearts for giving this opportunity to share thoughts with Ratatosk! We also were quite surprised, that there is a mag specialized on bringing forth Finnish and scandinavian music. We want to share our best with you Dutchy's in the future too. Even if we would have to fight windmills ;)

"Ei kirja, ei isä. Sydämeni on oppaani."

-Tatu Metso / Valkyrend Varieté