Blistering.com: If there is a trick to songwriting, I think you’ve found it. To you, what ultimately makes a Sinamore song a “Sinamore song?”
Tommi: The feeling when all the little pieces are together and we aresitting at our rehearsal place thinking, “Wow…what the fuck just happened?” In every single Sinamore song we try to surprise ourselves.The more weird the feeling is, the better the song is.
Blistering.com: There’s been no shortage of Finnish Goth metal/rock bands to come out of Finland the last decade. Where do you feel you stand in this scene?
Tommi: In the middle of nowhere! Don’t know…maybe our stuff is more dark and organic than most of the stuff around. We don’t use synths or programming. We’re more old fashioned than the majority.
Blistering.com: Winter is Finland is notorious for its perpetual darkness. How do you cope?
Tommi: By burning the candle from both ends. More light, more heat…the pain is shorter.
Blistering.com: Any particular winter memories you can recall?
Tommi: Every winter is a struggle at our rehearsal place. We have a big problem in heating it up, so most of the time there’s minus degrees and steam coming out from our mouths.
Blistering.com: How does alcohol aid or hinder this time of year?
Tommi: It’s like peeing in your pants. It warms you at first but after awhile it doesn’t feel so comfortable anymore.
Blistering.com: Is it a stretch to say Sinamore has the ability to reach a broad audience?
Tommi: Nooooo. I think we are able to grab the attention of the metalheads and then the friends of more melodic stuff as well. I don’t think it’s a shame to admit or anything.
Blistering.com: There are some pop tendencies here, albeit minor ones. Are you guys a fan of pop music and if so, how has it influenced your music?
Tommi: Well, I think that I’m the only one in our band that listens a lot of other than metal music as well. I guess I’m kinda the soft spot of our band. I don’t know how the pop influences find their way into our stuff. Maybe it’s the melodies that have the most pop-ish elements in them. We just like to write strong and emotional melodies.
Blistering.com: Has someone along the lines of a HIM opened up any doors for you?
Tommi: Of course, when something gets out from this little country it helps in getting some attention, but I don’t know if it has helped that much…maybe people have become more interested in Finland and Finnish music and that way have found our music. I know the Finnish bands shareloads of fans out from Finland and from my point of view it’s a good thing.
Blistering.com: Finally, what’s on tap for ’08?
Tommi: I hope we can get loads of gigs and opportunity to play outside Finland again. Maybe get to play in countries and cities we’ve never visited. Then there’s loads of writing and recording of our new material, rehearsing, work,work,work! But it’s cool as long as it don’t start to feel like it…