Indica-Fans.net:Are there any news regarding the release of a finnish Song/Single for Indica´s 10th anniversary?

Jonsu: We don´t know about it yet. We have been really busy working with the English album and Jonsu in Kuorosota so we haven´t had chance for that for so far.

Indica-Fans.net:Will there be any cover-versions on the new album?

Jonsu: At least we haven´t planned any for so far.

Indica-Fans.net: Will Indica and Tuomas Holopainen work together on the new Album?

Jonsu: No, Tuomas is busy with Nightwish so we have started working with another producer.

Indica-Fans.net:Can you already tell us what the “feel” of the new album will be? Will it be a bright or more darker album?

Jonsu: We are right now doing preproduction in Hamburg and we have a feeling that the album will be different, maybe not so dark, a little bit more groovy, but we really don´t know yet for sure. All can still change. Maybe something not so big and symphonic, something more intimate.

Indica-Fans.net: Can the fans hope for even more Epic songs like “Eerie Eden”?

Jonsu: Who knows

Indica-Fans.net:Did you write all the songs or did any of the Ladies provide a Song for the new Album?

Jonsu: Not for so far, but they´ve got really great ideas for the arrangements etc. I think arrangement is a really important part of a song.

Indica-Fans.net: You told us earlier about a dream of a hedgehog. Are there some new songs that also came up from a weird dream?

Jonsu: Yes, 3 for so far.

Indica-Fans.net:Did you already do some recordings or even finished some songs?

Jonsu: We have recorded some tracks here in Hamburg, but we are probably not using those in the album, We are now just creating ideas and finding a big picture.

Indica-Fans.net: When do you think the first new shows will take place?

Jonsu: Next year. I don´t know yet the exact month.

Indica-Fans.net: Do you intend to use new instruments on the new Album, you haven´t used on “A WAY AWAY” before?

Jonsu: Possibly, let´s see.

Indica-Fans.net:: Thank you for takeing your time for our questions.

Interview © Indica-Fans.net, December 2011

Mrs. Söderblom: My name is Kristina Söderblom. I am a pianist and I have been teaching classical piano playing in Espoon musiikkiopisto (EMO) since 1989.

Indica-Fans.net: Next to music and teaching, what are your hobbies?

Mrs. Söderblom: I like reading a lot. I also enjoy cooking and outdoor life.

Indica-Fans.net: How would you describe Sirkku back when she studied at EMO?

Mrs. Söderblom: Sirkku started studying with me when she was 9 years old. She was a cute little girl although a little shy. She was a bright and motivated pupil from the very beginning and she developed quickly into a skilful piano player. I always found her very sensitive.

Indica-Fans.net: Did you – back then – think that you´d be seeing Sirkku on the big stage?

Mrs. Söderblom: No. But I knew she was gifted in many ways, so it didn´t surprise me to hear of her success.

Indica-Fans.net: What do you personally think of Indicas music?

Mrs. Söderblom: I find both the music and the lyrics suggestive and I like the intense atmosphere in the songs.

Indica-Fans.net: Have you ever met Sirkku (or the others) since they left EMO?

Mrs. Söderblom: She started studying with Kata Nummi when she was about 15 and I didn´t see so much of her after that. However, she invited me to her graduation party when she left school.

Indica-Fans.net: How does it feel to know, that some of the most famous Ladies from Finland have studied with you?

Mrs. Söderblom: It is nice to think that Sirkku has been successful.

Indica-Fans.net: Did Indica effect your life in any way?

Mrs. Söderblom: No.

Indica-Fans.net: What do you think, made Sirkku (and the other Ladies) such unique artists?

Mrs. Söderblom: Their personality.

Indica-Fans.net: Did Indica´s success affect the students of EMO?

Mrs. Söderblom: I suppose some of them some of them listen to their music.

Indica-Fans.net: What advice would you give any student who lacks trust in his/her talent?

Mrs. Söderblom: I would try to encourage them and help them to see their good qualities.

Indica-Fans.net: Thank you very much for this nice interview.

Interview © Indica-Fans.net, 2011

Denis Goria: Originally formed to video and cinema, I’ve always been obsessed by photography.
I’ve started in the business as editor and Director of Photography (DOP) for TV channels and cinema.
I’ve started my professional Photographer work 6 years ago. My career as Photographer started to become an international success with the Swedish band “THE HELLACOPTERS” 4 years ago.
Since the photography business collapsed with the video, I came back naturally to directing music videos, documentary and EPK (electronic press kit) for record companies. I used to live in Finland, and spend my time between France and Scandinavia, now. My collaboration with the music business have been done with bands such as PAIN, HYPOCRISY, NIGHTWISH, NAKED, Fredrika Stahl, INDICA, TAROT, BABYWOODROSE, Medicine Ball Caravan, Guillaume Grand, AMORPHIS, Scar Symmetry, Silent Lane and many others for Album Photo Shooting, Videos and Teaser TV Advertising. Recently I entered the great family of the Fashion and Modeling photographers.

Indica-Fans.net: When did you first take notice /see / hear about Indica?

Denis Goria: The first time I’ve met Indica was in London, during NightWish Dark Passion
Tour: Deja Vu tour. I was touring with Nightwish, and our managers introduced us mutually. Then the first show I’ve seen from the girls was in London. I was really impressed by their performance. Rock, Epic, Glam. All that I like!

Indica-Fans.net: What was the initial idea that inspired you for the video of Straight & Arrow?

Denis Goria: First, Straight and Arrow is not really a music video. It’s more a promo video.
I don’t remember exactly when we talked about doing a video for this song. I just remember I talked with their manager about meeting him in Tokyo, as he was coming with Indica, and I was planning to come also for a Japanese band.
Then, 5 days before I went to Tokyo, we all decided to use this opportunity to do the video. Then, I only had 4 days left to think about the synopsis, story, etc….
Then, in Tokyo, I looked for different nice places and started thinking what I should do. I thought about the comedy “Sex and the City” using the town as the main character of the video, then I changed the feeling to make “Girls in the city”. No really the main idea, just the concept – the girls are lost in the big city, and filming it with romantic and fairy feelings.

Indica-Fans.net: Do you personally like Indicas music and if so, is there a favorite Song?

Denis Goria: It’s really hard to say, I prefer old school band such LED ZEP, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Creedence Clearwater revival, but to be honest, hearing INDICA is always a great pleasure for my hears, and for my Eyes….. Heini is playing bass with an old school punk attitude ! And her bass line riffs have this exceptional skill!! Rock Heini!!

Indica-Fans.net: What made you choose Tokyo as location for the Video?

Denis Goria: Like I said, Tokyo was just an easy opportunity, so not really a choice.

Indica-Fans.net: Was there any funny circumstances/happenings during the shot you´d like to share with us?

Denis Goria: The shooting was totally chaos… for I became a part in the project very late, no real ideas, no concept, tiny budget, no staff, small equipment. I had to adapt myself to the situation. The backliner kept all the instruments, only the guitar and the bass was available at this time. That’s why we don’t see Sirkku, Laura and Jonsu with their instruments !! It was very boring for me to not show all the girls playing together and really hard to find a way to show some action in the video.
For the Street shooting, I only had 2 hours to make it !! You can easily understand why the concept is a bit poor. Also, to make the sequence when Jonsu is in the taxi, I´ve spend one hour to find a taxi driver who´d let us use his taxi !! Also, the rain started falling on us when the band was singing and walking on the street !! That’s why you can see people running in the video ! Looks weird !!
Then for the shooting in the hotel corridor (our hotel) it took 2 hours more to do, as the girls started to go completely crazy and it was more interesting to have fun and joke with me than doing this sequence.
All the girls have to be alone, walking in the corridor and then, with a motion tracking process, they are all together with a ghostly atmosphere. We have alot of funny footage from this time, which I will keep only for me ! The girls were laughing so much; a client from the hotel came to us with few japanese insults, for we were very noisy !!
Then, few lights from the corridor broke down during the sequence, and I had to spend days to correct the lights between every solo girl footage to make the perfect illusion.
The subway sequence was more and more chaos, looks like i was really unlucky !! The cops came to me after 1mn shooting and asked me to leave. But I had more footage to do !! Then we left, wait 5mn at a coffee place, and then we came back to same place to continue the shooting. Then, of course, the cops came back again and asked me again to leave. What we did, of course. We left, and came back 10mn later, again to continue… etc… For 1 long hour. But, I think the girls had fun, playing hide and seek with me and the cops !! Like I said, this video was a total chaos.
Doing PAIN´s “monkey business” video or Hypocrisy´s “Weed out the Weak” video was much easier. The worst souvenir I had doing a video, was for Scar Symmetry´s ‘”The iconocalst”. We made the video outdoor in Sweden, at winter time, with a temperature under -35° !! Thrust me !! It was hell on earth. Everything I planned to make it a good video was a total waste of time. Video-gear broke at this temperature, the guys were freezing and we could only shoot 20sec of video, sequence after sequence. I had 120 takes to edit, trying to make the daylight linked to every sequences, as, the daylight was only 3hours per day !!
It’s like a normal day of light only on 3 hours. !! HELL !!

Indica-Fans.net: What is the story behind the video from your point of view?

Denis Goria: The story ?? Which story !! I’m joking ! Well, it’s just few girls lost in the big city, escaping something, or trying to find something.

Indica-Fans.net: Did the Ladies themselves add ideas to the video and if so which?

Denis Goria: No !! I didn’t let the girls choose !! They are boring and always have bad ideas !! I’m joking, private joke to Jonsu about something she said on me in a French interview. They were really sweet and kind with me, and let me do everything I wanted. Patience was the main word to qualify the girls. You know, they are professionals, and they always thrust and follow the people they are working with. Working with Indica is always a great pleasure. I really love them.
I hope they will get the international success they should have !

Indica-Fans.net: What is your personal opinion on the video as well as the song – straight&arrow?

Denis Goria: Well, regarding the chaos process to make it, it’s not so bad, and I really want to say thank you to Oscari (their live sound engineer) for helping me. The song is very catchy, I like it !

Indica-Fans.net: What would you like to say to all Indica Fans in the world?

Denis Goria: I hope you will forgive me for this crappy video !! hahaha, I’m joking. I just wanna say thanks to all the fans that are following Indica in this international experience. I’ve met many fans in the world, and everytime, you bring such a great feeling and happiness during the gig.
Oops, one thing who is important to me:
Please, if you like Indica, don’t download the music illegally. It’s really bad to the music business, and every time you download a song illegally, it’s like stealing INDICA. And the more you steal from Indica, the less they will have as budget to make the next great album. !! And what I said about it is the same for other bands you like. This is really important to understand that music on the web is not free. Think about the huge amount of money to make and promote one album !!
Indica loves you; show them you love them, too !! Respect the creation, respect ART !
Viva Indica Fans !!

Denis Goria

http://www.myspace.com/denisgoria

Interview done by © Indica-Fans.net, November 2010

Indica-Fans.net: What fascinated you the most and made you decide to sign the Ladies?

Markus: King-Foo, Indicas Management – who also manages Nightwish – handed us the CD of the Ladies. I took care of it all, even the Finnish albums and was thrilled! First, I find the range and the charm of the band great. Also I don´t know any other Band at the moment that write their songs themselves and have such a great talent than these 5 young Ladies.

Indica-Fans.net: When did you first notice Indica?

Markus: Like I said before. We had the CD on our Desk. Then we saw them perform live and were totally convinced.

Indica-Fans.net: Which is your personal favorite Song?

Markus: Clearly PRECIOUS DARK, followed by IN PASSING, ISLANDS OF LIGHTS and the wonderful, mysterious ballad EERIE EDEN!

Indica-Fans.net: Many successful bands are from Finland, which makes the statement “The best music comes from Finland” almost a guarantee for good music is. Do you think the Finnish bands a musical “advantage” or “special talent”?

Markus: Yeah, it´s amazing how many good bands come from Finland. Next to INDCIA there are bands like NIGHTWISH, SONATA ARCTICA, AMORPHIS – all of them special in their way with a mood and mystery in their music, which other bands can hardly recreate. I´m a big fan of those bands myself!
Where these special talents and skills for writing such songs come from? I thought about this a lot already, yet never found an answer to it. Many claim that this is related to the “darkness of Finland,” but I do not, or does in my opinion, only a small part of it. About the rest we have to speculate on or ask the bands, but even they do not know… (I asked AMORPHIS once, they couldn´t tell)

Indica-Fans.net: Is there any special Indica-related anecdote which you want to share with us?

Markus: What amazed me during promotion and traveling with Jonsu and Heini was, that many of the journalists, radio or TV people wanted to marry them after a few seconds, already…. so it´s not just the charisma of their music but the charisma and charm of the Ladies.

Indica-Fans.net: What would you like to tell the Fans?

Markus: I can only say I´m very glad the band found so many loyal fans around the globe. Which I can fully understand for, I´m the biggest Fan of the Ladies… at least amongst the Top 10 of Fans worldwide!

Indica-Fans.net: Thank you very much, Markus, for this great interview.

Indica-fans.net: Would you like to tell our readers something about you?

Heilemania: I am Heile, a freelance photographer from Stuttgart. I tend to do some Cover-Artworks and Promopictures for several Bands and a lot of photographs on my own.

Indica-fans.net: How did you get envolved with INDICA?

Heilemania:I got the contact via their lable, Nuclear Blast. I used to work with the guys from Donzdorf quite often latley and it was always a fun thing to do, so they asked me to do the artwork for INDICA. And yeah, sure!!

Indica-fans.net: How did you come up with the idea for the cover and the pictures for the A WAY AWAY Album?

Heilemania: I searched for simple elements that suited the title, doors, keys and suitcases seemed perfect for that and were easy to add to the pictures. The band was supposed to be on the cover so we took the theme to the rest of the artwork and promopictures and played around with it.

Indica-fans.net: Did you know INDICA before you worked with them?

Heilemania: No, I didn´t know them since then.

Indica-fans.net: Did INDICA pitch ideas for the cover and the pictures themselves?

Heilemania: We had a conference call just before we started, with the lable and the band and discussed everything. INDICA had their Stylist come along to the shoot who brought some props. That was great. The 5 young Ladies are professionals infront of the camera.

Indica-fans.net: Do you personally like INDICA´s music and if so, is there a favorite song?

Heilemania: I saw the Ladies live just recently, a real good concert. INDICA own an amazing stage presence and are musicians by their hearts. My favorite song, even though it didn´t make it to the album, is Nursery Crimes.

Indica-fans.net: Will there by more “INDICA vs. Heilemania” in the future?

Heilemania: I figure there´s a good chance for it. Yet it won´t be “vs.” , but like the last time, as a good team )

Indica-fans.net: Would you like to say something to the readers and fans?

Heilemania: I must recommend to enjoy INDICA live at least once!
And if you liked the Artwork from the A WAY AWAY Album, check out the other stuff I did on my website:
http://www.heilemania.de .

Indica-fans.net: You bet we´ll do! Thank you very much for the interview!
Interview done by © Indica-Fans.net, 2010