Blue Eyed Sons – Exclusive Interview
Blue Eyed Sons are a hard blues-rock band from Helsinki, formed in 2012 by four childhood friends. Their music blends blues, hard rock, and psychedelic rock with influences from Led Zeppelin, The Doors, and Black Sabbath
Blue Eyed Sons made their mark in 2015 and spent three long years climbing toward the big stage, gaining public attention and positive reviews from critics. But even their hiatus was bound to come to an end: the creators of psychedelic hard rock are back to continue their journey. I had the chance to speak with Blue Eyed Sons vocalist Joel Hellström. hat exactly caused the young band's rift, and how did the members manage to overcome the crisis? Does Joel believe that rock will ever return to the mainstream? What inspires his songwriting, and what does sex and occultism have to do with it? Find out all this and more in our exclusive interview!
In 2019, you announced the ending of the band's history. Glad to hear you're back! What events influenced both of these decisions?
In my opinion we were all bad at communicating what we wanted, and fed up on arguing. Our personal lives were leading us to different directions and we needed a pause to take a breath and rethink what we want, how and when. For me the time away from the band forced me to grow personally, and helped tremendously to have a new perspective on everything. We came back together because we really like playing together and all of us are good at what we do — and the music we create has potential in its depth and power. Although we share history and many interests together, we are all different individuals and have unique quirks of our own, harnessed by our shared love of music.
You have shows several times since you announced your comeback. What was it like to be back on stage again?
We have had one show since, and it felt good to be back. It was at DesertHel festival in On the Rocks-club in Helsinki — and one of our best shows ever. That feeling, hungry, playing live, is why we had to come back. We have an another show coming in December in Semifinal club next to Tavastia.
In my opinion we were all bad at communicating what we wanted, and fed up on arguing. Our personal lives were leading us to different directions and we needed a pause to take a breath and rethink what we want, how and when. For me the time away from the band forced me to grow personally, and helped tremendously to have a new perspective on everything. We came back together because we really like playing together and all of us are good at what we do — and the music we create has potential in its depth and power. Although we share history and many interests together, we are all different individuals and have unique quirks of our own, harnessed by our shared love of music.
You have shows several times since you announced your comeback. What was it like to be back on stage again?
We have had one show since, and it felt good to be back. It was at DesertHel festival in On the Rocks-club in Helsinki — and one of our best shows ever. That feeling, hungry, playing live, is why we had to come back. We have an another show coming in December in Semifinal club next to Tavastia.
What did the band members do during this long break? What has changed during this time?
I think it was a time of personal growth for everyone. Time of rebirth and newfound freedom. Things like that put things into perspective. Everyone had and still have other music projects, job, studies. I myself got really into building acoustic instruments inspired by historical examples.
What conclusions can you draw after so many years on stage? What made you stronger? Share the wisdom you have gained.
Two key wisdoms that come to mind are: Open communication is nescessary for longevity of any project, and half-assing or half-measures aren't enough, but that its nescessary to be dilligent. An observation would be that hard work and belief in what you are doing, and doing it as well as you can, is universally appreciated.
I think it was a time of personal growth for everyone. Time of rebirth and newfound freedom. Things like that put things into perspective. Everyone had and still have other music projects, job, studies. I myself got really into building acoustic instruments inspired by historical examples.
What conclusions can you draw after so many years on stage? What made you stronger? Share the wisdom you have gained.
Two key wisdoms that come to mind are: Open communication is nescessary for longevity of any project, and half-assing or half-measures aren't enough, but that its nescessary to be dilligent. An observation would be that hard work and belief in what you are doing, and doing it as well as you can, is universally appreciated.
What do you think about this? Are you working on a debut album?
I appreciate albums that are thematically sound and whole, like a painting, a world, described and projected to ones imagination. Songs can do that too, but albums are more comprehensive in painting that mental image. Yes, we're working on something.
What are your plans for the nearest future? What are you striving for?
The most we strive to play live. We have made new music too
In December Blue Eyed Sons will perform at Semifinal in Helsinki. Are you preparing something special for this show?
Of course. Come and see us.
Have your sources of inspiration changed? What inspires you now?
Music that we listen, and resonates with our mental state gives us inspiration. Personally my source of inspiration has most often been myths, metaphorical language, sexuality, the minds of the primordial humans deeply confused but excited, in awe or afraid.
I appreciate albums that are thematically sound and whole, like a painting, a world, described and projected to ones imagination. Songs can do that too, but albums are more comprehensive in painting that mental image. Yes, we're working on something.
What are your plans for the nearest future? What are you striving for?
The most we strive to play live. We have made new music too
In December Blue Eyed Sons will perform at Semifinal in Helsinki. Are you preparing something special for this show?
Of course. Come and see us.
Have your sources of inspiration changed? What inspires you now?
Music that we listen, and resonates with our mental state gives us inspiration. Personally my source of inspiration has most often been myths, metaphorical language, sexuality, the minds of the primordial humans deeply confused but excited, in awe or afraid.
Will your new music be similar in style to your early singles & EPs?
Yes and no.
What is the most important thing in creativity? Without what you can not create the perfect song or have the perfect rehearsal with the band?
It's important to listen to one's gut and see an idea and vision through. If it doesn't work it can always be changed. Some songs happen with ease, some songs are really hard to finish. It's good to be patient and maybe try something else in the meantime.
Do you think that rock music will return to the mainstream and, like at the beginning of the 2000s, will win the attention of almost every listener again?
I think for rock to become mainstream it has to re-invent itself to be more relevant and interesting to the average listener. Mainstream isn't be all end all. We all like different things and how much we enjoy it shouldn't be a matter of mainstream popularity. There will always be people who like rock-music. Many years from now its status will likely slowly become more and more like the classical music, jazz, folk, or blues. Heavy music will always be popular but not as popular to flood the mainstream.
A bit of a philosophical question: does a musician have to suffer in order for his work to become truly great?
Yes and no. What makes things great is often beyond our hands and only appears in sparks. A complicated song might be shitty while a simple song might just be great in its nature. Authenticity makes most things great. Hardship and struggle, suffering, can give inspiration and wrestling with hard things brings the best out of us
I hope that soon everyone will talk about Blue Eyed Sons! Good luck to you all! Finally, give advice, what needs to be done to feel happy?
Stay true to yourself. Be firm but kind and fair. Be someone steady who others can lean and rely on. Be grateful. Give.
Yes and no.
What is the most important thing in creativity? Without what you can not create the perfect song or have the perfect rehearsal with the band?
It's important to listen to one's gut and see an idea and vision through. If it doesn't work it can always be changed. Some songs happen with ease, some songs are really hard to finish. It's good to be patient and maybe try something else in the meantime.
Do you think that rock music will return to the mainstream and, like at the beginning of the 2000s, will win the attention of almost every listener again?
I think for rock to become mainstream it has to re-invent itself to be more relevant and interesting to the average listener. Mainstream isn't be all end all. We all like different things and how much we enjoy it shouldn't be a matter of mainstream popularity. There will always be people who like rock-music. Many years from now its status will likely slowly become more and more like the classical music, jazz, folk, or blues. Heavy music will always be popular but not as popular to flood the mainstream.
A bit of a philosophical question: does a musician have to suffer in order for his work to become truly great?
Yes and no. What makes things great is often beyond our hands and only appears in sparks. A complicated song might be shitty while a simple song might just be great in its nature. Authenticity makes most things great. Hardship and struggle, suffering, can give inspiration and wrestling with hard things brings the best out of us
I hope that soon everyone will talk about Blue Eyed Sons! Good luck to you all! Finally, give advice, what needs to be done to feel happy?
Stay true to yourself. Be firm but kind and fair. Be someone steady who others can lean and rely on. Be grateful. Give.
October 20, 2022
- Tuuli TalvinenFounder & Editor-in-ChiefInterviewer