SOURCE WEBZINE | We don’t have readers – we have believers.

SOURCEWEBZINE – From where did you get the inspiration for the name, Ironica ?
Ville Pain (G/V) – Actually, our name is just a phrase that our former other guitarist, Esa Rajala invented when he was still in the band, and when a band called Ironia played still finnish punk-rock. When language was switched to english and music became more metal, by just adding a letter C into our name, it sounded more cool.

SOURCEWEBZINE – Let’s talk about the new album. Give me your personal thoughts on “Vivere”. What was your initial reaction the first time you heard the finished product ?
Ville Pain (G/V) -  Of course I was pleased and very satisfied. And also very releaved, because we had done so much work and put so much effort for this album, and when I realized that it sounds great, I was more satisfied than ever. When I had heard it through, I thought that we managed to create an album that shows that what we are capable of today. Of course I would have wanted more time in writing material for this album, but you have to start working eventually, or you’ll never finish anything. But I still think, that if I had more time, I could have written more different songs for this album. And also, “Vivere” would definitely sound different, if we had produced it by ourselves instead of using a producer.

SOURCEWEBZINE – Is there a concept within the album?
Ville Pain (G/V) – Yes, to some extent. The whole album wraps around human life, and especially to its darker side. But yet there is still always some hope, and even within all the bad and monstrous world there is always something good. I wrote all the lyrics and all the music about things that somehow touched me, and this time more in a bad way.

SOURCEWEBZINE – The artwork seems to be very important matters|parts of your albums; do you like to think the records in a total package or is it first and foremost the music, then everything else?
Ville Pain (G/V) – Of course it has to be about the music in the first place, and then comes everything else. But I concider albums as a one, unique product, that consists of all these things combined; the music, artwork etc creates an actual, final product. When artwork supports bands music, I think that it gives a deeper experience for those who like albums as a product and it can probably give something more than just the music. I collect albums as well, and I couldn’t think of just buying only one song from the internet for example.

SOURCEWEBZINE – How has the album generally been received by the fans and press?
Ville Pain (G/V) – The press has been very confused with “Vivere”, and probably everywhere it has been concidered very unique album, and generally feedback from the press has been good. And that’s only a good thing if you ask me. Nowadays, when its hard to create anything new, its nice to have feedback that we’ve done something that cannot be compared to anything already existing. The fans have liked it extremely much, and it seems that especialy abroad “Vivere” has awaken lots of attention. We’ve gotten much praise about this album especially from the fans!

SOURCEWEBZINE -  Have you filmed any videos for this new CD?
Ville Pain (G/V) – Yes we have. And it’s out now in fact, go and check it out from our MySpace or in Youtube!

SOURCEWEBZINE – What kind of feedback have you gotten so far internationally, especially from Brazil, since this interview is mainly for a Brazilian webzine?
Ville Pain (G/V) – As I already mentioned, especially internationally “Vivere” has awaken much conversation and it has gotten much praise from outside Finland as well. We know that we have fans for example in Russia, Germany and other european countries, Brazil, and so on. Many people would want us to have a tour in Europe, but we’ll see how everything goes. So keep your thumbs up!

SOURCEWEBZINE – Is there anything else that keeps all of you busy aside from music?
Ville Pain (G/V) – Of course, we all have our own lives as well. Almost everybody within the band are in a relationship, so that only is enought to keep us busy when we’re not doing music…

SOURCEWEBZINE – What do you consider to be the biggest accomplishment for you and Ironica, not necessarily sales wise?
Ville Pain (G/V) – This album absolutely. It shows that what we can do, but it also shows that we haven’t said everythig yet. Just wait what will come in the future! And it’s still amazing to hear when somebody comes and gives good feedback about our music. It feels nice every time!

SOURCEWEBZINE – How do you perceive the advances of technology and the internet changing the music industry in the future? Will the CD as a product become a fanatic’s item like the LP is nowadays? Will record labels become redundant? What effect will it have on festivals and tours?
Ville Pain (G/V) – I believe that we’ve come to a point, where especially music business will have to change somehow. Well, one thing is, that I believe that people are now starting to be overdosed by these music “products”, for example Idols-formats and so on, and I think that people will begin to want more genuine and pure music. And by this I mean songwriters and bands, that create their thing by themselves, and are not under this massive hit-production, that I personally am already full of. There’s just too much “plastic-shit” going on inside the music business, and you all know what I mean. Real music listeners will probably still buy albums, and modern technology will bring new music more easily to those who really love music. A little more bad thing is, that it makes illegal music activity easier, and that’s always out of musician’s money bag. This means, that tours will probably play more important role in artist’s subsistence. But I don’t think, that record labels will become redundant. New artist and bands will need somebody to give help to break through and make it possible for new artists to survive and come to general acknowledge. We just have to create a solution how to continue publishing new music, that everybody who deserves it, will have their share.

SOURCEWEBZINE – Can you think of anything that the Internet needs to make things even better for bands?
Ville Pain (G/V) – Well, of course it gives a good hand for new bands to spread their name and their music, but as I wrote earlier, when things get more serious, it can cause also much trouble… And as I said earlier, we have to find a solution to the piratism problem… Or at least some solution that how everybody who deserves it will have their share.

SOURCEWEBZINE – Is there anything you’d like to add?
Ville Pain (G/V) – Thanks again for this interview! Hopefully Brazilians will also find our music nice fot their taste! And hopefully you will enjoy listening “Vivere”! And please visit our website and our MySpace, and go and check our new video in Youtube! Hopefully we’ll see someday on tour! Until then. Stay Metal !

Ironica – Myspace
Poko Records