The Kling-tour

A week ago we were on the road with The Kling. We visited Joensuu, Kuopio and Turku. This tour was great! Especially people in Joensuu made us feel really welcome. Jazzkerho-76 made the best arrangements for us and Teatteriravintola was friendly. There was articles about us in two different newspaper, and a local radio station played our tunes and interviewed me. I used to live and study music in Joensuu and and played many gigs there years back so that partly explains how we got such attention. It felt really and homy and comfortable to be playing there!

So, about 50 people came to see us in all the places and it seemed that they enjoyed our music and we did too. The gigs in Kuopio and Turku lasted about an hour, we played 8 songs there. In Joensuu we played a longer gig, actually it was more like a concert with two sets. People sat there and listened carefully J Quite the opposite was playing in Kuopio. Understandably it was friday, almost midnight and the after party of a performance art festival. Somehow we managed to ignore the noise and played a really good gig there.

In Turku we hosted an open jam session. I was a bit disappointed how few musicians came to play after our gig but the ones who took part were so nice! It’s always good to meet new people and to hear them play.

We made a decision to get a gig in Helsinki in November because Juho is coming to visit Helsinki once again.

Keikka-arvio

Sanomalehti Karjalaisen tekemä arvio The Klingin keikasta.

The Kling poster!

By Arttu Juntunen

Writing my own introduction..a Struggle!

Am currently writing an introduction of me. Actually I find it a bit awkward, I’ve never done such a thing except from some school work. That’s why I started writing this blog post as well :)

The Kling is going on the road next week and I’ve finally made all the needed arrangements for it. Car rental, stipend application to cover the costs, rehearsal/touring schedule and so on. There’s a lot to think about when you’re planning these things.. I wouldn’t mind having an agent to book gigs for us.

Popwriting

           

Things are going on well with Arttu, this week’s been good, we’ve got two new songs.

Lately I’ve been listening to Carpark North and Egotrippi (a Finnish band) a lot. They’re quite different when it comes to genres but they both have good melodies and especially with Carpark, the production is big and airy. That can be heard in my latest demo as well, can’t help but take influences of what you hear and what moves you! I hope we get a myspace workin soon, feels a bit useless to tell you guys about songs you can’t hear..But we’re on our way!

Thanks for reading!

 

vesakyc

About the things I'm supposed to write about if you read the introduction..

I was in the middle of writing a song, got stuck with it and started to write my thoughts down. Sometimes it seems very easy to find the next part, the right chords and rhythms and melodies for that piece and sometimes it doesn’t work at all!

I was working on an idea of  a ”broken time groove” for The Kling. It came to me while I was doing my day job today. Had to whisper it to my cell phone recorder although I don’t usually do that. I’ve been thinking that if an idea don’t stuck in my head long enough it’s not worth remembering.

Anyways what’s different about this piece, I have a strong feeling that it needs vocals. Something between what’s Fergie singing in ”My Humps” and what’s CSS:s female singer doing in ”Move”, quite edgy.

Lately I’ve been inspired by such bands as CSS, PMMP, The Meters and The Killers. With The Kling I want to combine two elements, those are: good old funk band’s sounds with new indie/pop-songs and great melodies. Imagine The Meters playing Le Corps Mince....’s songs. The music of my dreams!

I’m happy about my last song with The Kling, it’s called Party Bossa and we’ve played it a couple of times. You can listen to it at our myspace.

A name for a band..

..is always a though choise. Me and Arttu have reached the point where we should seriously think about what we’ll be called. I have no suggestions at all so far. But what I do have is songs and Arttu has made some great lyrics to them! I think we have about 5-6 songs almost ready and at least four which are missing lyrics. Now we work together at least once a week.

I added a demotape to my personal myspace so you can hear what I’m talking about. There it’s called ”in the night”. That’s the kind of stuff I’ve writing when it comes to pop music.

Thanks for reading, see you later!

-Vesa

Pizza, anyone?

I visited my ex-hometown Joensuu and saw this picture of a big fat pizzadude at the wall of a grill & pizzeria. What he's offering? Red wheels and plums? Green slime and skulls?


Besides not ordering pizza here..

..I've had some gigs with different bands, mostly at weddings and restaurants. Last Saturday we had a tribute show to this Finnish 1990's favourite band, Ultra Bra. Having played a show like that on a big stage felt really good and we we're all very thrilled and partied through the night. I'd only be happier if the success was gained with my music and my own band.. I think that's the future.

The Kling is now on iTunes store.

-Vesa-











Pro-Mark sticks and a free sausage-ticket. Why not?

As the summer is heating up

As the summer is heating up in Helsinki, me and my songwriting partner Arttu are doing more and more songs. I’ve had my mind busy recording my ideas down while Arttu has been writing lyrics and melodies to my backgrounds. We’ve found a nice way to work. We get together every now and then to listen my demotapes. Then we discuss about the feelings that we get while listening to each piece and write notes of what we think might be the story behind the music. Kind of brainstorming I guess. (I don’t know if anyone uses that word!) Sometimes I don’t have a clue what I’ve been thinking when doing a demotape.

So then there’s Arttu. By the way, check his art at www.arttujuntunen.com There are a couple of songs as well. Our sounds are a bit softer, as I abominate heavy metal fuzzy guitar in my music. I’d rather keep the guitar sound nude. With a hint of overdrive.

Originally my idea was to make brilliant songs and to show the world my view of a perfect pop band. Now we’re a step closer, stay tuned for myspace & all that stuff that comes later!


Besides being a pop guy..

..Funky things are moving forward with The Kling. Three booked gigs already and more to come. There’s a fan page in facebook with 77 fans. Not all are my friends or family! In a few weeks our songs you should be able to buy our songs from iTunes. I made a deal with the TuneCore ☺

Soon it’s time for our first live show! We’ll play at the central Helsinki, Cafe Lasipalatsi. If you happen to be near you should definitely come and check us out! Thu July 30th 2009.