Pretty Affair – Exclusive Interview
Pretty Affair only formed last year, but they already sound like veterans — and they think big. In our exclusive interview, the five Finns talk about the real meaning of “Maybe, Maybe”, why rock can be mainstream again, and why they're absolutely certain that in five years, everyone will know their name
Pretty Affair is an ambitious Finnish modern rock band that was founded in 2023. It consists of five members: vocalist Jere Lamberg, guitarists Diago Amin and Tommi Aavaluoma, bass guitarist Niko Paasiniemi and drummer Joonatan Pöyry. At the moment, the band has already presented three songs, including “Go Astray”, “Don't You Know” and “Maybe, Maybe”, the last of which was released on September 18 this year. Their mesmerizing music is filled with the vibes of the seventies, and the charming voice of vocalist Jere Lamberg envelops and subdues. In my opinion, Pretty Affair is one of the best representatives of this genre on the Finnish stage. That's why I wanted to talk to the band members and get into their thoughts.
The band Pretty Affair appeared not so long ago. How did your story begin?
Diago: I decided to form a band and it took over a year to find the right people around me, but it was worth it!
Jere: I reached out to Diago when he posted on a musicians forum that he wanted to form a band. Then we met up and scheduled our first band rehearsal. That’s how it all started.
Tommi: I think Jere & Diago started the band. I joined in quite early on, in the late spring of 2023.
The name of the band fits perfectly with the chosen style of music. Why did you decide to name the band that way?
Diago: I think I talked about affairs with someone once. Then the name came into my mind at rehearsals. Actually at first it was “Pretty After” but it didn't rhyme so well, so I changed it to “Pretty Affair”.
What is your new song “Maybe, Maybe” about?
Jere: “Maybe Maybe” tells about a relationship where one person tries in every way to manipulate the other into doing everything they want.
Diago: I decided to form a band and it took over a year to find the right people around me, but it was worth it!
Jere: I reached out to Diago when he posted on a musicians forum that he wanted to form a band. Then we met up and scheduled our first band rehearsal. That’s how it all started.
Tommi: I think Jere & Diago started the band. I joined in quite early on, in the late spring of 2023.
The name of the band fits perfectly with the chosen style of music. Why did you decide to name the band that way?
Diago: I think I talked about affairs with someone once. Then the name came into my mind at rehearsals. Actually at first it was “Pretty After” but it didn't rhyme so well, so I changed it to “Pretty Affair”.
What is your new song “Maybe, Maybe” about?
Jere: “Maybe Maybe” tells about a relationship where one person tries in every way to manipulate the other into doing everything they want.
Where does your passion for this genre of music come from? Who are your idols or what bands do you look up to?
Diago: Passion for this kind of genre comes from my mind. I just play the riff with guitar that sounds good to me and then new music is born. My number one idols are Guns N Roses, Lenny Kravitz, but generally I like a lot of different genres.
Jere: I believe my passion for music started because my dad used to play old rock music for me from a young age, like Elvis, Chuck Berry, and the Rolling Stones. But the first band I truly became a fan of was KISS.
Tommi: I still haven’t found what is the exact genre for us haha. I think we all have our influences which we try to combine into our music. I personally listen to everything from jazz to heavy metal. At the moment I’ve really enjoyed the new Fontaines D.C. album, that’s a killer. One artist that I always look up to is David Bowie. The way he recreated his character and music in a new way in many of his albums is stunning, that inspires me a lot.
What is the inspiration for your lyrics?
Jere: Our bassist Niko has usually written all the lyrics, but the songs often start with me coming up with a melody idea, and then Niko develops the lyrics from there. I usually also have a hook that Niko ends up using as well.
Tommi: I guess it can be anything. I always struggle a lot with lyrics, since I want them to have something meaningful. Mainly my lyrics come from my own thoughts and feelings about life and the world around us. The songs we have released so far, the lyrics have been made by Niko and Jere.
Diago: Passion for this kind of genre comes from my mind. I just play the riff with guitar that sounds good to me and then new music is born. My number one idols are Guns N Roses, Lenny Kravitz, but generally I like a lot of different genres.
Jere: I believe my passion for music started because my dad used to play old rock music for me from a young age, like Elvis, Chuck Berry, and the Rolling Stones. But the first band I truly became a fan of was KISS.
Tommi: I still haven’t found what is the exact genre for us haha. I think we all have our influences which we try to combine into our music. I personally listen to everything from jazz to heavy metal. At the moment I’ve really enjoyed the new Fontaines D.C. album, that’s a killer. One artist that I always look up to is David Bowie. The way he recreated his character and music in a new way in many of his albums is stunning, that inspires me a lot.
What is the inspiration for your lyrics?
Jere: Our bassist Niko has usually written all the lyrics, but the songs often start with me coming up with a melody idea, and then Niko develops the lyrics from there. I usually also have a hook that Niko ends up using as well.
Tommi: I guess it can be anything. I always struggle a lot with lyrics, since I want them to have something meaningful. Mainly my lyrics come from my own thoughts and feelings about life and the world around us. The songs we have released so far, the lyrics have been made by Niko and Jere.
Are you involved with music labels and do you plan to do so in the future?
Diago: In the future we will get a label no doubt.
Jere: Not yet, but of course, if a record label shows interest, we can consider it once everything is arranged sensibly.
Tommi: Not at the moment, but If we get a good deal, sure why not?
Have you encountered any problems that would be frustrating to you now as an aspiring band and how did you solve them?
Diago: In the beginning there were a lot of new things that we needed to go through but that made us better and we learnt from the mistakes, so it was good for us.
Jere: Not really. We all recognize the challenges of the music industry and how much work it takes, especially as a starting band, to make progress. You just have to be hardworking and motivated.
Tommi: Well I think that today as a new band you really have to work hard on trying to push yourself into the spotlight. Since there is so much music released every single day, it can be quite a job to catch people's attention with your music. There are no shortcuts, you just have to work hard on making good songs and finding the right audiences for it.
Diago: In the future we will get a label no doubt.
Jere: Not yet, but of course, if a record label shows interest, we can consider it once everything is arranged sensibly.
Tommi: Not at the moment, but If we get a good deal, sure why not?
Have you encountered any problems that would be frustrating to you now as an aspiring band and how did you solve them?
Diago: In the beginning there were a lot of new things that we needed to go through but that made us better and we learnt from the mistakes, so it was good for us.
Jere: Not really. We all recognize the challenges of the music industry and how much work it takes, especially as a starting band, to make progress. You just have to be hardworking and motivated.
Tommi: Well I think that today as a new band you really have to work hard on trying to push yourself into the spotlight. Since there is so much music released every single day, it can be quite a job to catch people's attention with your music. There are no shortcuts, you just have to work hard on making good songs and finding the right audiences for it.
Why do you think there are so many musicians and bands playing rock in Finland? Is heavy music in your DNA?
Diago: I prefer to say that Finland is more of a “heavy” country. I like heavy but it's not in my DNA. Btw Pantera is the best heavy band in the world!
Jere: It must be in our DNA somehow, because I remember reading an article that said Finland has the most heavy metal and rock bands per capita.
Tommi: Good question! Maybe it could be because the winters are long here, and you spend a lot of time inside, so I guess people spend a lot of time in their rehearsal rooms. We sure do!
Do you think rock music will return to the mainstream and will it be able to win the attention of everyone around it?
Diago: Yes I believe and it is now bigger than in years, I think so. Thanks to Måneskin for winning Eurovision in 2021. I love that band. Especially the words that Damiano, the lead singer of Måneskin said after getting the eurovision trophy: “rock n roll never dies”. That made me so happy! I truly believe that made rock music more visible to youngsters.
Jere: I believe it’s possible. In my opinion, a big problem today is that many rock bands can’t create anything new and fresh, they just keep doing the same things that were done decades ago. We, on the other hand, are trying to create music that respects old rock music and its culture while bringing something new and fresh that today’s youth would also enjoy listening to.
Tommi: I sure hope so! I think that the problem is that new rock bands don’t get the coverage that they deserve at the moment. There are many brilliant band’s that would deserve to get more wider coverage. I’m sure if good new rock bands would be shown to people, rock music would be more popular in the mainstream.
Diago: I prefer to say that Finland is more of a “heavy” country. I like heavy but it's not in my DNA. Btw Pantera is the best heavy band in the world!
Jere: It must be in our DNA somehow, because I remember reading an article that said Finland has the most heavy metal and rock bands per capita.
Tommi: Good question! Maybe it could be because the winters are long here, and you spend a lot of time inside, so I guess people spend a lot of time in their rehearsal rooms. We sure do!
Do you think rock music will return to the mainstream and will it be able to win the attention of everyone around it?
Diago: Yes I believe and it is now bigger than in years, I think so. Thanks to Måneskin for winning Eurovision in 2021. I love that band. Especially the words that Damiano, the lead singer of Måneskin said after getting the eurovision trophy: “rock n roll never dies”. That made me so happy! I truly believe that made rock music more visible to youngsters.
Jere: I believe it’s possible. In my opinion, a big problem today is that many rock bands can’t create anything new and fresh, they just keep doing the same things that were done decades ago. We, on the other hand, are trying to create music that respects old rock music and its culture while bringing something new and fresh that today’s youth would also enjoy listening to.
Tommi: I sure hope so! I think that the problem is that new rock bands don’t get the coverage that they deserve at the moment. There are many brilliant band’s that would deserve to get more wider coverage. I’m sure if good new rock bands would be shown to people, rock music would be more popular in the mainstream.
What is the most important thing in creativity? Without what you can't create a perfect song or a perfect performance on stage?
Jere: Creativity can’t be forced, it has to come naturally. If you try to push something out of yourself forcefully, it will never turn out good.For me, creativity comes from a relaxed and positive atmosphere. Without those elements, the music won’t sound good and natural, and that shows on stage as well.
Tommi: Personally I would say getting your head around the idea that it has to be perfect. I’ve struggled with this a lot. You also have to just write and create a lot and, maybe 1 out of 10 is something you might end up liking. Without you liking the song you’re writing you can’t make it “perfect”. Also playing songs live that you don’t like shows in the performance.
What do you think can make a listener lose respect for a musician?
Diago: If you are not humble.
Jere: Arrogance.
Tommi: Being a jerk and disrespectful. Be kind to other people, and treat them as you would like them to treat you!
Jere: Creativity can’t be forced, it has to come naturally. If you try to push something out of yourself forcefully, it will never turn out good.For me, creativity comes from a relaxed and positive atmosphere. Without those elements, the music won’t sound good and natural, and that shows on stage as well.
Tommi: Personally I would say getting your head around the idea that it has to be perfect. I’ve struggled with this a lot. You also have to just write and create a lot and, maybe 1 out of 10 is something you might end up liking. Without you liking the song you’re writing you can’t make it “perfect”. Also playing songs live that you don’t like shows in the performance.
What do you think can make a listener lose respect for a musician?
Diago: If you are not humble.
Jere: Arrogance.
Tommi: Being a jerk and disrespectful. Be kind to other people, and treat them as you would like them to treat you!
A slightly philosophical question: must a musician suffer in order for his work to become truly great?
Diago: Yes and no. Talent is the biggest key.
Jere: Maybe that works for some people. Of course, it can’t always be fun, easy, and enjoyable, but I believe creativity thrives when you have a positive vibe and are having a good time.
Tommi: No, I would say this is a stupid glorified myth, that I have glorified sometimes as well. It may be a good way to process some hard experiences or thoughts through music, but you also need some professional help if you are suffering. Great art is something that you yourself as the creator are satisfied with. If someone else likes it that’s a big plus!
What are your plans for the future? Will we hear a new song or maybe even an album soon?
Diago: Our plan is to make more new music and release them. We have plenty of music ready to record so we'll do that now, and we'll see you on the stage next year! We are quite a young band right now, so the album will come later after we’ve got to grow our fanbase.
Jere: We’re going to use the rest of the year to write and record new songs. We’re planning to release an EP next year and perform a lot.
Tommi: At the moment we are focusing on writing new songs, and hopefully you will be able to hear something new by the beginning of 2025. We are also planning to release an EP next year!
How do you see the band in five years? Share your wildest dreams!
Diago: In five years we will be known around the world, mark my words!
Jere: I hope that in five years, we’ll be touring somewhere in Europe with a lot of new music, plenty of new fans, and an even better time than we have now.
Tommi: Hopefully we’ll be touring in interesting places around the world, writing even better music, meeting great people and fans, and most importantly having a good time!
Diago: Yes and no. Talent is the biggest key.
Jere: Maybe that works for some people. Of course, it can’t always be fun, easy, and enjoyable, but I believe creativity thrives when you have a positive vibe and are having a good time.
Tommi: No, I would say this is a stupid glorified myth, that I have glorified sometimes as well. It may be a good way to process some hard experiences or thoughts through music, but you also need some professional help if you are suffering. Great art is something that you yourself as the creator are satisfied with. If someone else likes it that’s a big plus!
What are your plans for the future? Will we hear a new song or maybe even an album soon?
Diago: Our plan is to make more new music and release them. We have plenty of music ready to record so we'll do that now, and we'll see you on the stage next year! We are quite a young band right now, so the album will come later after we’ve got to grow our fanbase.
Jere: We’re going to use the rest of the year to write and record new songs. We’re planning to release an EP next year and perform a lot.
Tommi: At the moment we are focusing on writing new songs, and hopefully you will be able to hear something new by the beginning of 2025. We are also planning to release an EP next year!
How do you see the band in five years? Share your wildest dreams!
Diago: In five years we will be known around the world, mark my words!
Jere: I hope that in five years, we’ll be touring somewhere in Europe with a lot of new music, plenty of new fans, and an even better time than we have now.
Tommi: Hopefully we’ll be touring in interesting places around the world, writing even better music, meeting great people and fans, and most importantly having a good time!
November 12, 2024
- Tuuli TalvinenFounder & Editor-in-ChiefInterviewer