Dear readers, we are pleased to offer you in this article an interview with a Finlandian Progressive Rock band that blends different genres and styles, active since 2013. We welcome Naryan.
Hi, how are you?
Hey! Great, thanks!
You’re an eclectic Progressive Rock band, incorporating different genres and styles and creating a personal sound, how would you describe your sound?
If I had to use just one word, it’d probably be emotive. You could say our mission in this band is to try evoke some deep feelings. Be they positive or negative.
On May 26, 2023 your new single “A Place Where Even Angels Lose Faith” will be released, what themes does it deal with and what sounds does it propose?
I’d say the main theme is owning up to one’s past. We have several interpretations of the text even within the band, so as boring as it may be, I won’t go into further detail on what the text implies, as I see the message very differently compared to, for example, our drummer Tommi, who wrote the piece. Soundwise it’s very different from our previous album The Withering, as it scales down on lavish orchestrations and has quite airy feel to it. So we’re really anxious to hear how people will receive this one.
I’ve had the pleasure of listening to the single and it’s an intense, technical and thought-provoking track, do you have plans for an album in the near future?
Thanks for your kind words! Yes, we’re working on a new album, but it’s still a bit early to estimate a release window. And we’re also in search of a label to eventually publish the album, so that, too, might have some effect on when we get it out.
You have released several albums and singles over the years, how has your sound evolved from the beginning to today?
Good question! And I don’t really have a definitive answer for it. Our guitarist Lauri is the sole original member and I think the entire vision and the core of our sound has carried over through the years with him. Then, what is built on and around that core has evolved with each new release and each change in the lineup. Which brings us to the fact that our newest members; Linda on keys, Jarno on bass and Henriina on violin, have brought a tremendous amount of new energy and ideas to the band.
Both in composition and performance you have technique and originality, how does the creative process of the tracks take place?
It depends, really. We’re fortunate enough to have several composers in our band and each one works in a slightly different manner. This new single was brought in almost as a finished product, on which small details were added or altered. Then another piece we’re working on was originally a piano loop with some strings, which has evolved into a very robust rock anthem at our rehearsal room. So yeah, plenty of different ways.
Lyrics play a key role in your music, what themes do they deal with?
Loss and death and how to deal with them are definitely recurring themes. We do try to bring new angles on these subjects, too. After all, there’s a million ways to die so there’s got to be at least four million ways to sing about it?
Your project offers an engaging sound, will there be a chance to hear your music live?
I sure hope so! Unfortunately there’s been quite a bit of backlog post covid, so finding good live opportunities hasn’t been exactly easy. We hope to see some change to that this year and the next. And we do have a stellar live experience to offer, so any promoters reading this, give us a shout!
Times have changed compared to the past, what difficulties does an artist/band face today in establishing themselves with a more sophisticated genre such as Prog Rock?
It’s hard to say. I’m no expert on the matter, since I wouldn’t call ourselves established just yet. But we’re constantly working on it! But Prog Rock isn’t exactly mainstream at the moment, so it’s obviously not easy to find people who are willing to invest time or money on it. I still believe quality music will find its place and listeners eventually. Maybe it won’t reach the Billboard charts, but does it really have to?
What advice would you give to young artists who decide to approach music with a genre like Prog?
I wouldn’t. That’s the great thing with young artists, that they know better than any old geezers, and that’s what makes them strive. Sure, one could give some technical or industry advice or flat motivational quotes, but no, I won’t. They know and figure out and that’s the beauty of it.
Music and Prog Rock in particular are constantly evolving, how do you see this genre of music in the future?
I think genres in general will mix even more in the future. Defining genres has been a tricky path to tread for a long time now and I believe it’ll get even more difficult. But who knows, those aforementioned young artists might come up with something completely unexpected!
As usual, I’ll leave the last question free, so that you can talk about any topic not covered in the previous questions.
Thanks for taking the time for this chat. We’re very grateful for what you guys do for the good of great music!
I thank the band Naryan for the interview and wish them all the best for the continuation of their artistic career.
Lineup:
Tommi Niemi / Vocals
Lauri Kovero / Guitar
Raino Ketola / Guitar
Tommi Tanhuanpää / Drums
Jarno Forsman / Bass
Linda Kuoppala / Keyboard
Henriina Marin / Violin
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