Interview with Janne Selo of Uniklubi

about Uniklubi, Entwine und Bitch So Sweet

It seems not to be too easy to get an interview with Uniklubi.
That last date we had got cancelled because Jussi got ill and lots of gigs had to be cancelled. Well, we are not going to blame Jussi or Uniklubi for this. It was really bad and we are happy that Jussi is ok again!
In the middle of April there was a news: "Uniklubi guitarist Janne to join Entwine on Germany dates!" So this was our chance again and we took it!
After we said hello, we went into the bus to have the chance to talk calmly about Uniklubi, Entwine and even a little bit about Bitch So Sweet.

finnbands: You are on tour with Entwine in Germany now.
Janne: Yeah!
finnbands: How come, that you play with Entwine instead of Jaani?
Janne: Well, Mika asked me. I met Mika like last summer when he was touring with us. Well, he spend some time with us when we were touring in Finland. And we became like friends. And than, when Jaani couldn't make it, these shows, Mika asked me to come to play these few gigs.

finnbands: How does it feel like to tour with another band?
Janne: *smiles* Well, you know it's fun. Because we haven't been touring for a while with Uniklubi. And you get the boat on the road again. You know, I've been waiting for it. So it's been fun.

finnbands: How long did you practice the Entwine songs?
Janne: Well, I got the records like few month earlier. And I was listening the songs and trying to learn them. And than we had like two rehearsals in one weekend and that's about it. *laughs*
finnbands: And it worked!
Janne: Well *laughs* probably. You have to tell it!
finnbands: Yeah, I think it worked! I saw you at Hamburg. *smiles*
Janne: Ok, thank you *smiles*

finnbands: What do your bandmaids from UK think about you touring with Entwine?
Janne: That was like ‚Ok, you should do that!' It's like promotion for both of us I think. We get the name out for Uniklubi out here in Germany just for me being here.

finnbands: So while we are talking about Uniklubi: What do you think, what you bring into the band and what's so special about you?
Janne: What do I bring into the band Uniklubi?
finnbands: Yes.
Janne: I don't know.
finnbands: So are you irreplaceable?
Janne: Mistakes and that!
*everybody laughs*
Janne: No, I don't know! Maybe some GREAT guitar playing.
*everybody laughs again*
Janne: No, I really don't know!

finnbands: And what did you do before you where in Uniklubi?
Janne: I've been doing music like almost my whole life. In small bands, you know. Nothing as big as Uniklubi or Entwine. And I've been playing football also when I was younger. When I was in shape *shows his slight stomach*. Now I am like fat.
*everybody laughs again*

finnbands: What has changed since Uniklubi's beginnings and how has the band developed?
Janne: Well, I think it's gone more into rock'n'roll sound and more like heavier and darker. But the main thing is that Jussi has grown older and has more live experience. So he can write better songs.

finnbands: Until today you did a lot of gigs. Are you still as nervous as in the beginning / in your first days doing gigs?
Janne: Like in gerneral or with Entwine?
finnbands: In gerneral, with Uniklubi and with Entwine as well.
Janne: Well, of course. When you start about you are like really nervous. But still like nowerdays, just before the show I am like a little bit nervous. But when you get on the stage and you start the playing all the nervousness is like gone and you get bold. *grines*

finnbands: When you are on stage, what is you biggest fear?
Janne: *thinks* I don't know! Because, I really don't think when I am on the stage. I just let the music go through my head and try to feel it.

finnbands: Is there any difference to play in front of friends or strangers?
Janne: Well, you know. When there is only like friends you don't care what you do. You do stupid things. Because if you know people there could be something like inside jokes. You play like some Guns'n'Roses songs or a Guns'n'Roses solo in the middle of ... So it's like the fun of it. I don't know, but it's pretty much the same.

finnbands: Before you go on stage I think you write a setlist. How do you decide about it?
Janne: Well, we don't always write a setlist. For example here, I have been asking Joni all the time 'What's the next song, what's the next song and what's the next song?'. 'What is this and this and this?'. Some minutes before the show we decide about this. But with Entwine today was more like ... I practiced this whole setlist before.

While a short break due to technical reasons Janne told us, that he doesn't do interviews in English normally and this is the reason that he is a little bit nervous. You can see his nervousness the whole time while he answers the questions but this makes him even more likable as he already is!
So let's continue. Finally we don't bite! (And we are nervous as well, but we try not to show!)

finnbands: Do you have any rituals before you go on stage?
Janne: No, I just drink beer or liquor and it's just walking around.
finnbands: Nothing special?
Janne: Nothing special. At least I don't remember.

finnbands: Have you ever wished for being that successfull outside of Finland - with Uniklubi and you personally?
Janne: Of course! You have to have dreams and goals. I like to be outside of Finland and maybe some day we gonna do as Rammstein. We will be the band singing Finnish and huge all over the world. In Finnish language. No, I am just kidding. But it's a dream for me still.

When we went to the stage entrance to fetch Janne for the interview some girls followed us. They really asked us if we could wait with what ever we are going to do that they can take photos and get autographs. This was strange, because it's not on us if Janne will take his time or not, but sure he did.

finnbands: When you walk along the streets, as before with the girls, there are some girls and guys maybe that come to you and ask you for photos and autographs. What do you think about it?
Janne: Well, this is nice. It's nice that people like our music and giving an autograph or a photograph...that is great!
finnbands: Is it the same in Finland or is it only here in Germany?
Janne: When you go to a venue, where we are playing, there are even the girls. But when I walk in my city nobody really covers me. I'll be like left alone.

finnbands: What was the most ridiculous thing u had to put an autograph on?
Janne: I know you expect me to say some stupid body parts...
*everybody laughs, and no, we didn't. How boring would that be?*
Janne: ...but I am not going to! *thinks* Oh, there was this -how can I say it? There was this lady Riitta Uosukainen ...and he had this *thinks about the word* the book about this life, you know, the story of his whole life....
finnbands: Biography?
Janne: Yes, biography.
*everybody laughs*
Janne: And that's the most stupid place I write my name on.

finnbands: Until the end of 2006 there was a band called Bitch So Sweet. Can you tell us anything about why they broke up?
Janne: It was a decission about me and our bass player. Because we had the band for like three years and we kept playing the songs that we did in the first year. And there weren't any new songs. So it was like a waste of a good band. We didn't try as much as we should. So we decided to break it. But nowadays there is a new singer and a new bass player.
I don't know if they are gonna play the old songs.

finnbands: You sang in that band, so could you imagine to have another band where you sing again one day?
Janne: Yes, I could *smiles* and I know I will do. But that's a secret!

finnbands: How is it to manage being in two bands at the same time?
Janne: You know, I always put Uniklubi on priority and at number one. So I think that is one of the reasons why we broke up because I haven't had time. Because we were touring all the time. But I would like to sing. I just want to do it for the fun of it. You know, I don't want to do anything serious. Just because I want to sing. I don't have any goals like to be in Wembly Stadium next week. *laughs*

finnbands: Now we have some random questions.
Janne: Ok.
finnbands: Can you remember your first contact with music?
Janne: I really can't. I think it was in school or something. No, I can't!
finnbands: So long time ago?
Janne: Yeah, I think it was in school or something, some stupid school show. No, not stupid. But I really don't remember.

finnbands: When do you think will there be an English version of uniklubi.net? It's still in Finnish.
Janne: Really? You don't have to ask me!
*everybody laughs*
Janne: We have been planing it for so long and we are so lazy guys that we get nothing done. *laughs* So we try to get it! I am sure. *smiles* Soon!

finnbands: Your French support wants to know, who plays the piano parts in the songs?
Janne: Our producer, Jari Latomaa. He does most of the piano parts.

finnbands: What do you think about fans who don't buy your orginal CDs? Those that load it from the internet and so on.
Janne: You know, I don't mind. *laughs* Of cousre it's better.... Like me, if I like a band I buy the CD because I wanna get the covers and read the lyrics and stuff like that. But internet is a good way to get known the bands. But if you like a band, buy the CD because you promote us and you give us money! *laughs*
For me it's like... If I like a band I buy the record because of the lyrics and everything and watch the pictures.*pretends to read a booklet*

finnbands: Ok. So let's play a little game! I'll give you a word and you answer spontaneously what comes into your mind.
Janne: Ok!
finnbands: The first one is: 'Sex'.
Janne: Hilarious!

finnbands: Drugs.
Janne: *thinks* Everybody's own choise.

finnbands: Rock'n'roll.
Janne: Love it!

finnbands: Now you have to choose one. Which would you choose and why?
Janne: *thinks* Hm, that's a though one, you know. I think I would take the sex. *smiles*

finnbands: And at last we want to know:
Finns are known for hard drinking. Do you keep up with that?
Janne: Well, I think, I don't know. I'd say yes!


finnbands: Thank you very much and see you later on stage!
Janne: Thank you!

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