1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
1. We are a downtuned riff loving trio from Helsinki formed in 2009-10. With both bassplayer and guitarist singing lead vocals by turns.
2.So far the band has released 2 albums, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical sound you brought into these 2 recordings and also how do they differ from each other?
2. Yes, the first, "Return of The Goddess" is more like a mini album or an EP within 33 minutes/4 tracks. And the new self-titled is considered as a full length within 40 minutes/4 tracks. And yes, they do differ alot, soundwise and musicwise. We went to the studio with the first one with just the skeletons of the songs, and for example "Master Kush" -the opening track is an improvised jamming of 11 minutes. The new self-titled album we "calculated" and went to the studio with finished written songs, lyrics and everything. The new one we also wanted to make in a way that we can play it live from start to finish 95% as it is layed down on "tape". The first one even includes a quest featured "stunt guitarist", as he calls himself, Mikael Ukura doing some additional psychedelic noises/solos. Both are recorded digitally through an analog Mackie desk and additional pre-amps. We are looking for a a harsh tube sound on our records and also evolving on that subject, testing different amps and recording/mic/mixing techniques. The difference of the sound on these 2 albums is the fact that we are learning as we go on recording and mixing. Doing it in our own studio.
3.Can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
3. Well both singers write their own lyrics. Ville (Bass/Vocals) writing more in a "stream of consciousness" way. Maybe could say more on the ground level, poetic stuff. But also able to generate a landscape into your mind. Kimmo (Guitar/Vocals) is writing a lot from a spiritual aspect and has introduced sort of feminism in the lyrical themes, sort of from the aspect that for example almost all Gods are considered as male for more than 3000 years, and we live in a very masculine world (in a bad way), and there will be changes in the future hopefully. Our lyrics so far are not negative.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Albino Rhino?
4. A quote from BC Bud Depot: "Albino Rhino is a tough plant that will reward the grower with high yields of resinous, sticky buds quickly. The light green mostly indica has a cerebral / physical effect and an Aniseed taste. Also known as White Rhino, this easy to grow strain is very popular and potent."
;)
The dots over the first "o" were added later on, for we found other bands riding with the same name, but in different musical genres luckily. and we wanted to keep this one. At the time we chose it, we didn't find any others though.. So we will keep on keeping it.
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
5. Have to say that the gig we did just last week 17.4, opening the stage for Conan (UK) was the "best" so far. Was fun to play and the place was packed. Another one just recently, as we held an album release party for the new album with Woodrue, Tombstoned and Caskets Open in a big venue (old movie theatre turned to a club in central Helsinki). Our own gig was not that of a fun to play for technical problems but the visual aspect of the whole night was a success, and we kinda nailed it, at least regarding the feedback we got. check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iglpv_dKQqA
Our stage performance is active and does not include performance dressing and stuff like that.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
6. Few gigs planned for the summer 2014, one in an open air festival with Ozric Tentacles (UK) here in Finland. The festival is called simply ForestFestival, it takes place in nature and introduces electronic and organic psychedelic music, which we are looking forward at, hence we are building a jam set for that, playing "Uphold the Light (Part 1,2 & 3)" which makes up to almost an hour. And maybe one other of our "psychedelic" tracks. Then few dates in the fall and we are planning something for next summer also already. But more about that later on.. Dates coming along the way as we go through the year, the Finnish "scene" is quite active at the moment on the street level and we are lucky to have a promoter like Blow Up That Gramophone on our soil, who have been putting up Riff nights since 2010 with well known artists around the world and booking Finnish bands to open the stage.
7.Does Paganism or occultism play any role in the music?
7. Paganism, yes in a way, because we are from Finland, the forest plays a huge role in our lives. Even if living in the suburban areas. Visits to forests are regular. Finland used to be Animistic before the church forced itself here 800 years ago. Which is not that long ago, if think about it. Occultism not. We are not at all into devil related things. Nor negative or dark subjects. Mysticism on the other hand yes, for it can be very positive indeed and it is how the world works, in very mystical ways.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of stoner and doom metal?
8. It has been good and we are thankful. Here is one favorite comment from our bandcamp by somebody who bought the album:
Good solid album full of epic thick syrupy riffs that will be echoing around your brain long after the music has stopped.
Not quite doom, not quite stoner but quite brilliant!
9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
9. Hoping to unite our vocal contributions for we now sing by turns, which is nice also, but we think could do something with that. Also Viljami the drummer sings well, so could unite all 3 voices and make some harmonies. We are always looking forward with guitar, bass and drum sounds for we have our own studio where we can try things out. Kim is renting a control and a recording room at Audiospot, Helsinki http://www.audiospot.fi/STUDIO with our section called Dubsync Laboratory.
10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
10. Could maybe easy say Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd. After that; Doom Metal, Death Metal, Hardcore Punk, Dub.. Listening all kinds of music but not really pop music. We all listen to Heavy-Rock and we like and listen to the bands we sort of are in the same "Genre" with. Loving Vinyl.
11.What are some of your non musical interests?
11. Well Ville is a Tattoo artist, and really into that world. Viljami is also into that world, designing the tattoos mostly himself which are nailed on his skin. He is also keen on building guitars, amps or just building something with his own hands. Music has a big role in our lives and we are fully dedicated to it. Kim has interest in spiritual things in life like purifying ones own soul through disciplined spiritual practice.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
12. Thanks for this interview and good questions, hope it opens something up to somebody who is interested in the Rhino or vice versa, and makes our project interesting to somebody. Enjoy the upcoming summer for the winter is finally passed :).
Cheers John!
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