Tomi Joutsen Interview.

 

 Chad Bowar: Now that you have three albums with Amorphis under your belt, are the setlists mostly newer material, or do you also play the classic stuff?
Tomi Joutsen: If we have enough time we play songs from almost every album. We like to play old songs too, because they are classics. I really enjoy old Amorphis music, so I’m really happy that we are playing old stuff also. I feel very comfortable playing old songs, because I was a fan of this band when I joined.

I’m really honored that I can play the classics.Your other band Sinisthra played a gig recently for the first time in a long time. How did it go?
We wanted to play one show because we hadn’t played a show in a few years. We actually have recorded an album. It’s almost ready. We are trying to find a label to work with. I would continue with Amorphis, of course. They are number one at the moment with me. The guys from Sinisthra are good friends of mine and I love the band, and I will also continue with them. I hope that we will someday release our second album.
Was it tough to remember the Sinisthra songs since you hadn’t played them in so long?
Yes, I actually had some notes when I played because I didn’t remember all the lyrics. The show was in my hometown, so it was cool to play those songs. We played a couple new songs, and it was a good time.
Did you start out in music as a drummer?
Yes, I started when I was a teenager. I played in local metal bands for many years. We wanted to have a death metal band, and there wasn’t anybody who wanted to be a singer, so I had to take that role.

That’s when I started to sing. Even nowadays I still love to play drums. It’s a great instrument. I also have a death metal band, and I play guitar in that band. I’m really into music.

Did you ever play drums and sing live, or did you come out from behind the kit once you became a vocalist?
I came out from behind the drums. It’s easier to concentrate on doing just one thing only. I can do vocals and drums, but it’s really hard to enjoy it. You have to concentrate too much. I’m happy I can do just vocals.
Are you able to play music for a living, or do you have day jobs?
I’m not working anymore. I used to work with young people and ran a youth center in my hometown. I have been at home with my kids now for two years, and my wife is working. I’m just playing heavy metal and spending time with my kids. I’m in a really good situation. Some of the guys are still working, and it’s hard because we have a lot of shows throughout the year.
Who are some of your favorite Finnish metal bands?
I really like Swallow The Sun. We toured with them in Europe. I like Medeia. The singer in Rotten Sound (Keijo Niinimaa) is also the singer in Medeia. It’s technical or crossover metal. They are a really kick ass band. There are a lot of great bands in Finland, and metal music is quite popular here.
Mike Patton is one of your musical influences. Are you excited about the Faith No More reunion?
I’m really happy that they are doing a reunion. I will see them twice this summer. They are doing two shows in Finland. We are doing the same festival as them, and they are also playing in Helsinki. This will be my first time to see them. I’m really looking forward to seeing them.