Prog-rock mantras, soul-searching and tiger watching with the Von Hertzen Brothers

Yes, everything’s in there, so check it out below.  
There is this mantra element in the songs on your new album „Nine Lives”. They have a somewhat „ritualistic” element in them. Do you ever see your music as something capable to heal/ have you ever been healed by music?
Hardly ritualistic, but music in general can be seen as a spiritual practise. Or as a tool by which one can reach a goal or heights that are usually unreachable through other means. I regard Music as a powerful phenomenon and I believe that it does have the potential to heal or at least to help in a healing process.

Many contemporary bands shy away from admitting as influences „old-fashioned” bands like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath etc. Why do you think there is this trend of ignoring the legends, and how come you’re not part of it?
If you dig deep enough you discover that even the trendiest bands have their roots in what has been done before, over and over again. When we mention these bands, we talk about the kind of music we used to listen to in our teenage years. Those impressions stay with you for a long time. Of course we have loads of other things that we take inspiration from, but, as a band we feel that we are somehow connected to the “lineage” of rock bands that you mentioned.

„Our music has an element of yearning in it. Maybe we’re just getting desperate or something”

„Nine Lives” features some very atmospheric, emotional and intense, slower songs like „Separate Forevers”, and „Prospect for Escape”. As a matter of fact, the whole album has an element of heavy-heartedness. What stimulated the writing of such reflective songs?
I think that the element of yearning that we have always carried in our hearts and in our music has taken this form now. Maybe we are getting desperate or something. 

What about the production? It sounds very modern and up-to-date. Who did you work with this time around?
The album was produced by us, together with James Spectrum. Then, we used different guys to mix the songs in order to get the “juice” that we wanted from each individual piece. We spent a lot of time and spared no effort so as to experiment with sounds and moods and achieve the final result. 

How does „Nine Lives” differ from your previous release, „Stars Aligned”?
I think we pushed the boundaries a little further with “Nine Lives”. Also, an album is always a collection of songs, and every album, at least in our case, is just like an exhibition of what we’ve come up with since the last release. We try not to restrict ourselves to a particular genre of music. Rather, we feel the need to constantly look ahead and never repeat what we have done previously. 

The Brits seem to be very fond of you, as you’ve entered their charts at position 31 – which is awesome for a rock band. Why do you thing England loves you so much?
Because we are so lovable. Heh. Also we have a good team working for the band down there, so that bears fruits as well.

Tell us about the tour following the release of the record. Where will you go?
First and foremost we are playing here in Finland a good set of dates. Next fall we are planning to roam around Europe and the UK a little bit more. Depending on who wants to have us.

The artwork features pictures of tigers. I read somewhere that you’re involved in the cause of conserving this endangered species. Is that true, and if so, how come? What’s your connection with tigers?
Tigers are endangered species and we feel proud to be involved in their cause. The actual idea for the album cover came when we saw Samuli Heimonen’s painting. The extent of “tigerism” was not planned but it suits us. I love cats, and tigers are just big and scary cats. Love them!

You’ve already visited Romania twice, and if I understand correctly, 2013 will mark your third concert here. What do you think about the Romanian audiences? Do we get your music more than other people out there, since we keep calling you back?
Yeah, we’ve been twice the last two years. All tour plans are still open for the coming fall. If you keep calling us back, how can we say no?

A last message for your fans in Romania.
Yes, I have one. I’d like to thank you for the enthusiastic approach you have shown for our music. And then I’d like to have the number of a reliable and fast Bus Repair company, just in case we’ll tour there again soon.

Kiitos Mikko!