{"id":6695,"date":"2012-03-10T11:32:42","date_gmt":"2012-03-10T00:32:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/maytherockbewithyou.com\/mtrbwy\/?p=6695"},"modified":"2012-03-10T11:33:57","modified_gmt":"2012-03-10T00:33:57","slug":"stala-so","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maytherockbewithyou.com\/mtrbwy\/2012\/03\/stala-so\/","title":{"rendered":"Stala & So."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Official Bio:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Founded in 1997, So. is known for melodic rock tunes and positive attitude and is fronted by their charismatic vocalist, Stala. \u00a0The band has had the freedom to follow their own direction in their music and live performances while entertaining audiences and gathering lots of fans along the way. \u00a0Other musical projects sadly forced the band to be on hold for a while but now they are back… even more colourful than before!<\/p>\n

The 70’s and 80’s glam rock bands, such as Sweet, T-Rex and Ziggy Stardust -era David Bowie, have had a strong influence to the bands image. \u00a0So. is making music professionally and also having fun with it. The late Finnish comedian, Spede Pasanen, said: “The main thing is to have FUN!”.\u00a0 This has been, and continues to be, the guideline for So. as well. \u00a0No one is left cold by the show by So.!<\/p>\n

In the beginning of 2011 the band took part in the Finnish Eurovision Song Contest under the name of Stala & So. They made their way to the national finals with nine other artists and performed on the live TV show in front of a nearly million viewers. There is also one ESC 2006 winner in the band’s line up.<\/p>\n

After the Eurovision hassle it was time for the Finnish release of their self-written, -recorded and -produced debut album “It Is So.”<\/em> and the video from the song Bye Bye. \u00a0In the spring and summer 2011 the band focused on promoting their debut album and touring.<\/p>\n

The band was busy also in the studio during the summer 2011. They recorded five new songs and those songs were released as an ep, titled “Gimme Five<\/em>“. The release date in Finland was September 14th 2011. \u00a0The rest of the Europe will get their share during March 2012. The European release of Gimme Five will also contain one new Stala & So. -original and four cover songs, all acoustic versions. This album will be released at the same time when the band is doing their first tour in Europe.<\/p>\n

After the European tour the band will go to the studio and start working on the next album. The release of that album will be at the end of 2012.<\/p>\n

This is Stala & So. for your listening and viewing pleasure. Join the ride!<\/p>\n

Let’s start with the basics first, the history of the band.\u00a0 Stala & So. has existed since around 1997\u2026or was it So existed first and then it became Stala & So\u2026.?\u00a0 Here\u2019s your chance to give us a brief history lesson \ud83d\ude42
\n<\/strong>Me and our bass player Nick formed the band 1997 as So. (dot included). \u00a0We had different line ups through the years until Pate and Sami J. joined in 2005. When me and Nick both joined Lordi, So. was only a therapy band for us for a while. \u00a0In the year 2010 I wanted to start to make a solo record by myself. \u00a0Nick and Sami joined the project. \u00a0Most of the songs were the old So. songs. \u00a0At that time Hank became our drummer. \u00a0When they asked us to join the Finnish Eurovision song contest we needed to decide what is our new name. That’s why we are called Stala & So. now<\/p>\n

For the benefit of our readers who have not yet heard the band, how would you describe the style of music that Stala & So perform?
\n<\/strong>It’s a melodic hard rock with energy and good harmonies. It’s a combination of Kiss, Whitesnake and Europe.<\/p>\n

Can you introduce each member of the current lineup of band and give us a fun rock \u2018n\u2019 roll fact or myth about each?
\n<\/strong>Stala<\/strong> is the singer and the main songwriter. During the Lordi days it took 20 minutes for him to get ready to stage, now it takes at least 30 minutes.<\/p>\n

Nick<\/strong> is the bass player who was known as Kalma in Lordi. When he gets drunk he will give you tickets for bad behaviour.<\/p>\n

Sami J.<\/strong> is the main lead guitarist.\u00a0 Once he was RATT’s Bobby Blotzer’s drum tech. He didn’t even fire him.<\/p>\n

Pate <\/strong>is our second guitar player. Believe it or not he owns some lambs. You can hear two of them in “It Is So.” album’s last track “E-Major”<\/p>\n

Hank<\/strong> is our newest member and the drummer. He also played with the latest winner of Finnish Idol. \u00a0Sometimes we call him Hnak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Your album \u201cIt Is So.\u201d was released earlier this year, which I very much enjoy.\u00a0 How has the reaction to this album been from fans around the world?
\n<\/strong>The fans have loved it. The response has been very positive. It’s maybe because it has these old school type of hard rock songs in it with more modern production. Unfortunately not so many have that album, yet.<\/p>\n

In terms of your song writing, what do you consider to be the most important things that need to feature in a Stala & So song to give you your trademark sound?
\n<\/strong>A good melody, definitely. Without a good melody the song sucks.\u00a0 That’s my motto \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 After that comes the vibe and the feeling. \u00a0For example our guitar players might have a good riffs to use, but if we can’t build a good\u00a0melody to that song, the riff is useless.<\/p>\n

What inspires and influences your music the most, in both a lyrical and musical sense?
\n<\/strong>Like I said earlier a good melody is the thing. Then of course the energy and feeling. \u00a0If I hear a good song that might inspire me to write a better one. Lyric wise I like simple lyrics. I also like that the lyrics sound good. It doesn’t have to be too fancy. I like the style: “put your hand in my pocket, grab onto my rocket” \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

Having written, recorded and produced the album yourselves, how long did this whole process take from start to finish?\u00a0 It must be a very proud feeling to have recorded such a great album entirely by yourselves!
\n<\/strong>It took about a year. \u00a0But I didn’t do it all the time. \u00a0For example in the middle of that process I was in USA two months to record Lordi’s last album.\u00a0 Basically I didn’t have much choice but to do it by myself. \u00a0We didn’t have a record deal at that time. \u00a0It was also something I wanted to prove myself that I could do it.<\/p>\n

Your music to me certainly has a real \u201csoundtrack\u201d type of feel to it.\u00a0 What kind of movie do you think your music would be best suited to and why?
\n<\/strong>A crazy teen comedy or a soundtrack from the movie called “How I Became Stala” \ud83d\ude09\u00a0 Seriously I think the music might suit well in a comedy. This is not a horror movie stuff.<\/p>\n

How would you describe Stala & So. as a live band, does your live show have as much fun and energy as listening to your music?
\n<\/strong>That’s the ultimate goal for every night. \u00a0To put the smile on people’s faces. \u00a0Rock n’ roll is all about having fun, right. Sometimes there’s bad stand up comedy on the stage, sometimes dancing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Your new EP \u201cGimme 5\u201d is soon to be released, can you share the background behind following up your recent album release with this 5 track EP?\u00a0 How would you describe it musically compared to your album?
\n<\/strong>There were plenty of songs we didn’t put on to the first album,\u00a0because we wanted to make some new songs there as well. \u00a0Some fans were\u00a0complaining that how come this song isn’t there or this song. \u00a0So we decided to record those old time favorites. \u00a0There are also some shitty versions of those songs in Internet, so we wanted to make those songs properly.<\/p>\n

Next month (April ) we are releasing it as an European version.\u00a0 There’s 5 bonus tracks as well. We recorded studio live acoustic versions of some of our own songs. \u00a0There’s 1 new song, one remake and 3 cover songs.<\/p>\n

With Stala being involved with Lordi as drummer for about 10 years, I have to ask, how have Lordi fans embraced Stala & So.?
\n<\/strong>Mostly good. \u00a0Many of those understand that this is what I want to do now, my own music. \u00a0There are fans who would like to see me with Lordi again, but it’s time to move on.<\/p>\n

Stala & So. has a very strong visual image, what are the big influences on your image?
\n<\/strong>Well the 70’s glam\/glitter stuff definitely. Ziggy Stardust, The Sweet, T-Rex had good looks. \u00a0We like to put the glamour back to rock.<\/p>\n

Watching your new film clip for \u201cHey What\u2019s Goin\u2019 On\u201d, I see a range of t-shirts being worn and posters on the wall, from Hardcore Superstar to Rolling Stones to Guns N Roses and even Penthouse Magazine haha, how diverse are the musical influences in the band from band member to band member?
\n<\/strong>It’s a wide range. 5 members and everyone have their own influences.\u00a0 That’s what makes this band what it is. What is similar to everyone is that all of us like good old rock ‘n’ roll.<\/p>\n

Here’s a chance to gaze into your crystal ball.\u00a0 In the next 6 months Stala & So will have:
\n<\/strong>1. First European tour behind us
\n2. Songs for the upcoming album picked up
\n3. First international smash hit \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

Essential Information<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

From:<\/strong> Helsinki, Finland<\/p>\n

Sounds like:<\/strong> \u201cIt’s a melodic hard rock with energy and good harmonies. It’s a combination of Kiss, Whitesnake and Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Band members:<\/strong> Stala \u2013vocals, Nick Gore \u2013bass, Sami J -lead guitar, Pate Vaughn -rhythm guitar, Hank -drums<\/p>\n

Website:<\/strong> www.stalaso.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n

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