Beyond Awareness – Exclusive Interview
Beyond Awareness is a Finnish metalcore band from Tampere, formed in 2019. In 2020, they released their debut single "Burn", followed by "Pyrochemical" in 2021. In 2021, the band signed with the label Ranka Kustannus.
Beyond Awareness is a Finnish metalcore band that emerged in 2019 but only gained recognition in their home country a couple of years later, thanks to the single "Pyrochemical", which received airplay on national radio. Soon after, the band signed with the Finnish label Ranka Kustannus to record their upcoming debut album. Their first release with the label was a cover of "Like a Brother", recorded for the Blind Channel tribute project. We got in touch with vocalist Jere Tarkkanen to discuss the release of their new single "Crime", talk about Beyond Awareness' future plans, and find out more about the upcoming debut album of these promising newcomers from Finland.
Congratulations on the release of the single "Crime"! The song is soulful and very catchy! How are you feeling right now? What can you say about the work done?
It's amazing how so many people love the song! We couldn't be any happier! Everything was truly worth the work!
What formed the basis of "Crime" and what is the story behind this song? What interesting things can you tell about the creation of this song?
It started forming around these unsetteling feelings. Miika worked really hard to get the perfect atmosphere for his idea. We spent hours just jamming on these different melodies and lyrics until we were 100% sure we found the thing that clicks it on its place.
How was the work on the music video going? I liked the video for the song "Burn" that you shared two years ago! Do you think that the music video helps to reveal the meaning of the song?
The creation of the music video was pure art by Pekka Keränen. He had a clear vision and was really feeling the song. It's crazy how he translated the music straight into video form!
It's amazing how so many people love the song! We couldn't be any happier! Everything was truly worth the work!
What formed the basis of "Crime" and what is the story behind this song? What interesting things can you tell about the creation of this song?
It started forming around these unsetteling feelings. Miika worked really hard to get the perfect atmosphere for his idea. We spent hours just jamming on these different melodies and lyrics until we were 100% sure we found the thing that clicks it on its place.
How was the work on the music video going? I liked the video for the song "Burn" that you shared two years ago! Do you think that the music video helps to reveal the meaning of the song?
The creation of the music video was pure art by Pekka Keränen. He had a clear vision and was really feeling the song. It's crazy how he translated the music straight into video form!
You have a modern sound that sets you apart from other bands. How would you describe your music style yourself if you couldn't use established musical terms? What do you think is the uniqueness of Beyond Awareness?
That's a tough one. I think it's like a rollercoaster of emotions. Beyond Awareness as a name describes us and our music also. My writing process usually unlocks something in me I was not aware before!
Shortly before the release of the single, you joined the Ranka Kustannus label. What does this mean for you? What do you expect from this collaboration?
Ranka Kustannus has propably the best connections in the metal scene when it comes to finnish bands and labels. Tons of experience and support from them will help us get far!
What are your plans now? Will you continue to work on new music or prepare for gigs?
Main focus is on making new music, but we just have to make some noise while at it, so you will see us on stage too.
That's a tough one. I think it's like a rollercoaster of emotions. Beyond Awareness as a name describes us and our music also. My writing process usually unlocks something in me I was not aware before!
Shortly before the release of the single, you joined the Ranka Kustannus label. What does this mean for you? What do you expect from this collaboration?
Ranka Kustannus has propably the best connections in the metal scene when it comes to finnish bands and labels. Tons of experience and support from them will help us get far!
What are your plans now? Will you continue to work on new music or prepare for gigs?
Main focus is on making new music, but we just have to make some noise while at it, so you will see us on stage too.
When do you plan to release a new album? Do you already have an idea of what it will be like? Will it include any old songs besides "Crime"?
This has to be a secret for now, but you'll get more singles while waiting for the album.
What does your band’s name mean? Whose idea is this? Why did you choose it?
I believe it first came out of Joonas' mouth. We had at least a million different options, but this one stuck. It just describes us so well. Our music unlocks things beyond awareness. It helps us to connect with the bigger picture of the reality, including our feelings and emotions.
Why do you think there are so many musicians and bands playing rock and metal in Finland? Why did you choose this music style? Do you think that Finns have heavy music in their DNA?
I think finnish people just need help expressing the emotions we keep inside. Music is very helpful in that. But why metal? Maybe it's the best genre to express some of these most common feelings amongst finnish musicians. Maybe it is in our dna!
This has to be a secret for now, but you'll get more singles while waiting for the album.
What does your band’s name mean? Whose idea is this? Why did you choose it?
I believe it first came out of Joonas' mouth. We had at least a million different options, but this one stuck. It just describes us so well. Our music unlocks things beyond awareness. It helps us to connect with the bigger picture of the reality, including our feelings and emotions.
Why do you think there are so many musicians and bands playing rock and metal in Finland? Why did you choose this music style? Do you think that Finns have heavy music in their DNA?
I think finnish people just need help expressing the emotions we keep inside. Music is very helpful in that. But why metal? Maybe it's the best genre to express some of these most common feelings amongst finnish musicians. Maybe it is in our dna!
What led you to become a band? What is your story? What motivated you to make music?
We have all been very passionate about music for our whole lives. It's just a wonderful coincidence that we all came together to chase our dream.
What do you think is the main problem for a beginner musicians and how to overcome it? How many strength tests have you yourself already passed and what were it like?
It's just pure trial and error. Keep on improving and take the critisism. We have had years and years of this and so much more is coming. It's a forever challenge.
Which musicians can you call your idols? Who would you dream of sharing the stage with in the future?
I'm not sure if I have any idols, but I really have to respect all the bands that have made it to the top. I'd love to share the stage with the biggest names closest to our genre. Most thrilling at the moment could be bands like I Prevail, Bad Omens, BMTH, Architects... Etc.
A question for Miika. Tell, what source of inspiration do you have when creating lyrics? What issues are fundamental for you? What topics do you avoid in the songs? Do you have any taboo topics of the lyrics?
Miika usually gets the ideas for his lyrics from his personal life and the problems he has faced. Same with me. We usually collect our individual experience as one and make it something that could be more relatable to our listeners. Miika does the most magic in composing and I like to play with the words!
Have you ever taken part in music competitions? Would you like to do it? How do you feel about this kind of competition? Do you consider them a successful launching pad for promoting a musician?
We have had success in some smaller competitions. They can be perfect for some bands, but winning a competition doesn't really mean anything by itself. It's still a lot of work and if you're not ready, I've got bad news for you.
What is your driving force and makes you not give up? What thoughts or ideas do you want to convey with your music to the world?
We just really, really love making music and express these things we have trapped inside our minds. We just have to do this. We have no choise! Pure madness!
Where do you see your band in five years? Share your wildest dreams!
In five years we will be touring everywhere, having the best time of our lives just grinding our asses off and meeting our fans from all over the world!
We have all been very passionate about music for our whole lives. It's just a wonderful coincidence that we all came together to chase our dream.
What do you think is the main problem for a beginner musicians and how to overcome it? How many strength tests have you yourself already passed and what were it like?
It's just pure trial and error. Keep on improving and take the critisism. We have had years and years of this and so much more is coming. It's a forever challenge.
Which musicians can you call your idols? Who would you dream of sharing the stage with in the future?
I'm not sure if I have any idols, but I really have to respect all the bands that have made it to the top. I'd love to share the stage with the biggest names closest to our genre. Most thrilling at the moment could be bands like I Prevail, Bad Omens, BMTH, Architects... Etc.
A question for Miika. Tell, what source of inspiration do you have when creating lyrics? What issues are fundamental for you? What topics do you avoid in the songs? Do you have any taboo topics of the lyrics?
Miika usually gets the ideas for his lyrics from his personal life and the problems he has faced. Same with me. We usually collect our individual experience as one and make it something that could be more relatable to our listeners. Miika does the most magic in composing and I like to play with the words!
Have you ever taken part in music competitions? Would you like to do it? How do you feel about this kind of competition? Do you consider them a successful launching pad for promoting a musician?
We have had success in some smaller competitions. They can be perfect for some bands, but winning a competition doesn't really mean anything by itself. It's still a lot of work and if you're not ready, I've got bad news for you.
What is your driving force and makes you not give up? What thoughts or ideas do you want to convey with your music to the world?
We just really, really love making music and express these things we have trapped inside our minds. We just have to do this. We have no choise! Pure madness!
Where do you see your band in five years? Share your wildest dreams!
In five years we will be touring everywhere, having the best time of our lives just grinding our asses off and meeting our fans from all over the world!
February 14, 2023
- Tuuli TalvinenFounder & Editor-in-ChiefInterviewer