The Vantages – Exclusive Interview
The Vantages are a Finnish rock band from Helsinki, formed in 2020. Their debut EP was released in 2023, with the single "Danger" amassing over a hundred thousand streams and receiving airplay on YleX.
The Vantages are a Finnish band from Helsinki, formed in 2020 by vocalist Tim Mikkola and guitarist Anton Froloff. Their debut EP was released in November 2023 and gained attention with the single "Danger", which amassed over a hundred thousand streams on Spotify and YouTube, and also received airplay on Finland's biggest radio station YleX. That same year, Soundi magazine named The Vantages as promising newcomers on the Finnish scene. The Vantages' music is inspired by the sound of 60s bands, British indie rock, and early 2000s gothic rock. The musicians describe their work as "decadent love songs". We spoke with the band about their creative journey, musical experiments, and plans for the near future.
Not so long ago you released your first single "Leather Jacket" which is distinguished by languid and charming energy. What was the inspiration for this song? How long has it been in demo?
About three years ago I was learning to play the piano. I was toying around with a chord progression and a few lines about past experiences which eventually became the chorus to "Leather Jacket". I made a demo of the song by myself and sent it to Anton. After hearing it he then and there decided that he'll move to Helsinki and put a band together, whether I liked it or not. In the end there were 2 other demos we did together. The released song has bits and pieces from the three of them along with the tracks from the final studio recording sessions. It contains a fair bit of our brief history.
You performed at the Ruisrock festival, which is a significant event in the life of an aspiring rock band. Did this performance affect you? Did it make you, for example, strive for more or realize your problems or advantages on the big stage?
"Appetite comes with eating" - It made us realize we're famished.
How do you define your own genre and style of music? What are its key foundations and how broad is its scope?
To put it plainly - We're a rock band, we like surf guitars and dark things.
About three years ago I was learning to play the piano. I was toying around with a chord progression and a few lines about past experiences which eventually became the chorus to "Leather Jacket". I made a demo of the song by myself and sent it to Anton. After hearing it he then and there decided that he'll move to Helsinki and put a band together, whether I liked it or not. In the end there were 2 other demos we did together. The released song has bits and pieces from the three of them along with the tracks from the final studio recording sessions. It contains a fair bit of our brief history.
You performed at the Ruisrock festival, which is a significant event in the life of an aspiring rock band. Did this performance affect you? Did it make you, for example, strive for more or realize your problems or advantages on the big stage?
"Appetite comes with eating" - It made us realize we're famished.
How do you define your own genre and style of music? What are its key foundations and how broad is its scope?
To put it plainly - We're a rock band, we like surf guitars and dark things.
It feels like what you create is not typical for today's Finnish rock scene. 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?
Like fashion, music goes in cycles. I don't think it'll be the same as back then, but it could be something similar. It feels like people don’t bother with genres that much anymore, I don’t know if that’s changing. Still I’m very excited about rock music gaining more ground.
How do you feel about the HIM band and about comparing your creativity with the founders of the love metal style in particular?
HIM is one of the most successful bands of Finland, with Ville being a talented songwriter and a charming person. They made their own thing which only they can do. If we can be compared to those qualities, we're very flattered.
What do you think is the biggest challenge for an aspiring band and have you passed it or are you still waiting to face it?
I think the work you put in is the challenge itself, setting goals and figuring out a way to achieve them and keep moving forward.
Like fashion, music goes in cycles. I don't think it'll be the same as back then, but it could be something similar. It feels like people don’t bother with genres that much anymore, I don’t know if that’s changing. Still I’m very excited about rock music gaining more ground.
How do you feel about the HIM band and about comparing your creativity with the founders of the love metal style in particular?
HIM is one of the most successful bands of Finland, with Ville being a talented songwriter and a charming person. They made their own thing which only they can do. If we can be compared to those qualities, we're very flattered.
What do you think is the biggest challenge for an aspiring band and have you passed it or are you still waiting to face it?
I think the work you put in is the challenge itself, setting goals and figuring out a way to achieve them and keep moving forward.
What releases are you planning in the nearest future? Should we wait for the "Leather Jackets" music video or are you preparing your listeners for a new single?
There might be an EP, there might be a single… We're working on it.
Many musicians are now saying that the era of music albums is partly a thing of the past. Thanks to streaming services, singles get more attention. What do you think about this? Do you plan to release an album?
I think people say a lot of things. We like albums and intend to make multiple.
In an interview with an Italian portal, you emphasized that during the pandemic you were one of those who "benefited from this situation", but at the same time you also said that some members of the band had known each other for a long time. Why did you start The Vantages exactly in this hard time? What exactly was the driving force on the way to this decision?
We started the band and were already well on our way a bit before the pandemic hit. We thought why stop now and tried our best to turn an unfavourable situation into something a bit more, well, favourable.
There might be an EP, there might be a single… We're working on it.
Many musicians are now saying that the era of music albums is partly a thing of the past. Thanks to streaming services, singles get more attention. What do you think about this? Do you plan to release an album?
I think people say a lot of things. We like albums and intend to make multiple.
In an interview with an Italian portal, you emphasized that during the pandemic you were one of those who "benefited from this situation", but at the same time you also said that some members of the band had known each other for a long time. Why did you start The Vantages exactly in this hard time? What exactly was the driving force on the way to this decision?
We started the band and were already well on our way a bit before the pandemic hit. We thought why stop now and tried our best to turn an unfavourable situation into something a bit more, well, favourable.
Do you interact with music labels and do you plan to do so in the future?
There are things bubbling under, not much else I can say at this moment.
Have you encountered any problems that would upset you now, as a beginner band, and how have you solved them?
I can’t say we’ve encountered any problems out of the ordinary, you just go through the motions and focus on the goals you’ve set for yourselves.
Can it ever be late to make art? Did you know from childhood that you would be musicians or did you initially set other goals for yourself?
We’ve all been around music from an early age. I knew what I wanted and where I wanted to be from a very early age. Having said that, I can’t think of a reason why it would ever be too late. Charles Bradley released his first single when he was 53 and the first album came 10 years after that, it’s one of my favourite albums of all time.
A bit of a philosophical question: can a good rock song come from positive experiences only, or is a broken heart more important than anything else? Does a musician have to suffer in order for his work to become truly great?
I think it’s a “chicken or the egg” sort of thing. Creative people tend to be quite sensitive and observant. More often than not that said sensitivity makes them vulnerable for all the heartaches of life, and creating art is often used as an outlet. As for happy rock songs, I’ve yet to hear one that doesn’t bore me.
There are things bubbling under, not much else I can say at this moment.
Have you encountered any problems that would upset you now, as a beginner band, and how have you solved them?
I can’t say we’ve encountered any problems out of the ordinary, you just go through the motions and focus on the goals you’ve set for yourselves.
Can it ever be late to make art? Did you know from childhood that you would be musicians or did you initially set other goals for yourself?
We’ve all been around music from an early age. I knew what I wanted and where I wanted to be from a very early age. Having said that, I can’t think of a reason why it would ever be too late. Charles Bradley released his first single when he was 53 and the first album came 10 years after that, it’s one of my favourite albums of all time.
A bit of a philosophical question: can a good rock song come from positive experiences only, or is a broken heart more important than anything else? Does a musician have to suffer in order for his work to become truly great?
I think it’s a “chicken or the egg” sort of thing. Creative people tend to be quite sensitive and observant. More often than not that said sensitivity makes them vulnerable for all the heartaches of life, and creating art is often used as an outlet. As for happy rock songs, I’ve yet to hear one that doesn’t bore me.
Continue the phrase: A perfect rehearsal is one where…
Everyone is on time and the gear works without problems. I’m the one always running late…
What are your global goals for the next couple of years?
The UK would be nice, Japan as well. The plan is to get out there in general.
We wish you success in achieving your goals and we look forward to your new music — keep creating! Thank you for taking the time to chat with us!
Thanks for having us!
Everyone is on time and the gear works without problems. I’m the one always running late…
What are your global goals for the next couple of years?
The UK would be nice, Japan as well. The plan is to get out there in general.
We wish you success in achieving your goals and we look forward to your new music — keep creating! Thank you for taking the time to chat with us!
Thanks for having us!
September 9, 2022
- Tuuli TalvinenFounder & Editor-in-ChiefInterviewer