End of You – Exclusive Interview
End of You is a Finnish alternative rock / gothic metal band formed in 2003 in Helsinki. Their latest album Remains of the Day was released on April 7, 2010, on Playground Music. In May of this year the band released a new single "Soul Eater".
End of You is a Finnish band from Helsinki, playing in the genres of gothic metal and alternative metal. The band was founded in 2003 by vocalist Jami Pietilä. Their music represents a unique blend of dark rock with synthesizer parts, powerful guitar riffs, and deep, emotional melodies. In 2006, they released their debut album Unreal, followed by Mimesis in 2008 and Remains Of The Day in 2010. In 2011, the band released the single Walking with No One and went on hiatus after a show at Tavastia Club. In 2017, the band reformed with new material, including Stay and Soul Eater. We spoke with vocalist Jami Pietilä about the band's return, their new sound, and their future plans.
Hello guys! Thank you very much for the answering my questions! It’s very kind of you!
Thank you very much for having us.
It's been a long time since the release of your last album. What caused such a big break in the group's work?
Sometimes it’s good to take a break and do other things for a while to get fresh view for things. After we decided to take a break, I took about year long trip around the world with my wife. I bought a nice little ukulele from Santa Cruz California and played it around the world, especially in many beautiful beaches. Back in Finland I felt that I want to play with many different people/bands for a while and just enjoy the music and get a little better with my own craft on the way. End of You has been in the background but we really didn't have to rush for anything so it took a while to get back to releasing music and doing some live shows.
The new single Soul Eater has very ominous lyrics. What inspired you to write this song?
When I was traveling around the world I learned that you shouldn’t turn your back to the sea no matter how calm it seems. I think in many cultures there is even own word for this. In my head the starting point for the song was someone who has turned his/her back to the ocean and washed away. Then the story takes more kind of mysterious turns.
Are you already working on new songs?
Yes, next single is coming out really soon!
Thank you very much for having us.
It's been a long time since the release of your last album. What caused such a big break in the group's work?
Sometimes it’s good to take a break and do other things for a while to get fresh view for things. After we decided to take a break, I took about year long trip around the world with my wife. I bought a nice little ukulele from Santa Cruz California and played it around the world, especially in many beautiful beaches. Back in Finland I felt that I want to play with many different people/bands for a while and just enjoy the music and get a little better with my own craft on the way. End of You has been in the background but we really didn't have to rush for anything so it took a while to get back to releasing music and doing some live shows.
The new single Soul Eater has very ominous lyrics. What inspired you to write this song?
When I was traveling around the world I learned that you shouldn’t turn your back to the sea no matter how calm it seems. I think in many cultures there is even own word for this. In my head the starting point for the song was someone who has turned his/her back to the ocean and washed away. Then the story takes more kind of mysterious turns.
Are you already working on new songs?
Yes, next single is coming out really soon!
When are you planning to release the album you are working on? Tell us about the upcoming releases.
We have no plans for the new album right now, we just keep releasing new music.
End of You is known for its otherworldly sounding, which distinguishes you from other groups. How did you come to this sound?
We love big (epic) synths, huge guitars and hell a lot of delay and other cool effects. Experimenting with those elements is always fun.
Who inspires you to write music?
I can only speak for myself, but I get really inspired when I hear something really cool. Example when I see great show I just feel that I need to get to my studio right away. I think that biggest influence over the years for me has been Tori Amos and her Boys for Pele album.
We have no plans for the new album right now, we just keep releasing new music.
End of You is known for its otherworldly sounding, which distinguishes you from other groups. How did you come to this sound?
We love big (epic) synths, huge guitars and hell a lot of delay and other cool effects. Experimenting with those elements is always fun.
Who inspires you to write music?
I can only speak for myself, but I get really inspired when I hear something really cool. Example when I see great show I just feel that I need to get to my studio right away. I think that biggest influence over the years for me has been Tori Amos and her Boys for Pele album.
How do you maintain good relations between the band members?
We are really good friends (and such an idiots right away when we get together). I think we just try to keep everything fresh and interesting so we can enjoy “the trip” while we are on it.
What is your best work at the moment?
It keeps changing. Right now it's probably one of the latest singles called Stay. It just keeps evolving when we practice it. Breaking Bad is one of my favorites also. It takes me instantly to this dark world from Crow movie.
Do you think musical education is important?
I learned the guitar by the ear when I was young. That really helps me to find my way with almost any instrument. But finding harmonies and all that stuff takes me way more time than someone with music education. So I keep learning “both worlds”.
What makes End of You so unique?
I don't think I have simple answer for this. So many things have been influencing who we are and what we do.
Is it hard to find your own place on the music scene in Finland?
While we have had some success over the years, I would say that we are pretty unknown band in Finland. So the answer is yes
Are you going to play concerts in the near future?
Yes, we have couple of shows coming up, On the Rocks in Helsinki 7.7. and John Smith Rock Festival 21.7.
And the last one. Do you have something to say to your Russian fans?
We love our Russian fans! Got lots of fan mail over the years from you guys and we have met many cool Russian people. Keep on rocking and listening to us!
We are really good friends (and such an idiots right away when we get together). I think we just try to keep everything fresh and interesting so we can enjoy “the trip” while we are on it.
What is your best work at the moment?
It keeps changing. Right now it's probably one of the latest singles called Stay. It just keeps evolving when we practice it. Breaking Bad is one of my favorites also. It takes me instantly to this dark world from Crow movie.
Do you think musical education is important?
I learned the guitar by the ear when I was young. That really helps me to find my way with almost any instrument. But finding harmonies and all that stuff takes me way more time than someone with music education. So I keep learning “both worlds”.
What makes End of You so unique?
I don't think I have simple answer for this. So many things have been influencing who we are and what we do.
Is it hard to find your own place on the music scene in Finland?
While we have had some success over the years, I would say that we are pretty unknown band in Finland. So the answer is yes
Are you going to play concerts in the near future?
Yes, we have couple of shows coming up, On the Rocks in Helsinki 7.7. and John Smith Rock Festival 21.7.
And the last one. Do you have something to say to your Russian fans?
We love our Russian fans! Got lots of fan mail over the years from you guys and we have met many cool Russian people. Keep on rocking and listening to us!
June 12, 2018
- Tuuli TalvinenFounder & Editor-in-ChiefInterviewer