Interview Ville Valo (HIM)

If you aren't aware of His Infernal Majesty, better known as HIM, you must be living under a rock. Ville Valo, charming, cool and unlike anyone else, has been the front man for this Finnish band for nearly two decades. After some challenges and a few delays, their eighth, rather tasty album Tears On Tape came out in April.

In August HIM starts touring the U.S and then throughout Europe. The millions of fans worldwide who will be attending these concerts will be treated with some new songs that have rarely been played before. Lead singer Ville Valo speaks to Red Room

So, you have 8 albums under your belt. How does that feel? It must have been such an amazing long journey.

Its just one of those things that you dont realise until its over. Its been pretty fast paced and there are always new adventures ahead. Obviously everybody in the band is proud of what we have achieved, but the more you eat the hungrier you get. You always want to come across new adventures, and meet new people, and write new songs. Its very important not to stay still.

Looking back, why did you decide to write songs in English?

It just felt more natural we grew up listening to Janes Addiction, Bad Brains, Soundgarden, Black Sabbath. All of our favorite albums were in English, so we wanted to be a part of that same dream.

How do you make music? Do you write music or lyrics first?

I have moleskins filled with one liners but I rarely use them. Melody is way easier for me than lyrics, so usually I pick up a guitar and start strumming and humming. At some point, when stuff sounds like a proper song, I take the idea to the rest of the guys. We all see where it leads and whats going to be the next step, whether it is usable or whether it is going to be crap.

Do you have to be in a bad or good mood to write music?

I have to be in a situation where Im asking questions.

When you write a song, do you imagine it visually?

I think its a combination, a mood can be explained in color. Its like when you say youre feeling blue. I think I make music because its somehow intangible and yet becomes tangible when you get the song done. When you get your emotions out through guitar, or whatever instrument it might be, all of a sudden you feel relieved.

Your band has been around for more than 20 years. How do you all get along after such a long time?

By staying away from each other [laughs]. At some point, no matter how much you care about the other people, you see 4 other people all the time and have no privacy whatsoever. It does become exhausting, but at the same time it is something that we have been doing for such a long period of time, that were still proud of that.

Have you ever had any arguments about writing music or recording?

Well, I have to fight with myself, but Im allowed to do it, because I write music for HIM [laughs]. So, its more or less internal. But yeah, lets say we do have arguments and we do have moments of constructive criticism, but I think that getting riffs heals our wounds. Thats the only thing you need. There are moments of uncertainty as to whether it is going in the right direction, whether it could be better or whether it is somewhere in between. Usually the best way is to crack open a beer and turn the volume up. You can talk about details when you get inside the studio.

Would you say that HIM has its own, unique sound?

I do think we have an identity of our own, but I wouldnt say that we re-invented the wheel, we are a part of a big wheel. Were just disciples, not inventors. although hopefully, when push comes to shove, we have enough originality to stand on our own legs.

In your opinion, is your new album more positive?

Its unforced andhas a lot of gloom and doom to it, but its not as angsty. We wanted to keep it melancholy and dark, but at the same time pretty and not something that you would be scared of.

Which song took the longest to record?

I think that they were all about the same. There are always some kinks, but I dont think that we had any super humungous problems with anything. It wasnt smooth sailing, but it was close to smooth.

What is your faviroutesong from the album,both lyrically and musically?

Well, the album was released really late last year, so we havent actually had the time to really see the forest for the trees yet. It always takes a bit of time, so when we start working on the next album, well go back and listen to the stuff and realise what we like and what we dont like about Tears On Tape. Weve already played a few songs live, and for me, an important track is the title one - Tears On Tape, because I feel that its one of those songs that you can play with an acoustic guitar and it sounds great. You dont need a lot of orchestration behind it, it sounds authentic and massive and pretty and its kind of what I like about music.

Finally, I'd like to ask about your upcoming tour. You hit America at the end of this summer, are you looking forward to it?

Of course, it will be great, because we will be touring with fellow Scandinavians, Volbeat, so it will be fun, I like them. I think itll be a good match, as they also have a unique sound. We are going play about 30 gigs in the States before coming back over for the full blown European tour.