…And Oceans: Symphonic Dynamism & Frenzied Viciousness
Image Credit: DVSK - Photography
With the putrid English summer wrapping it’s final heat-wave upon The Citadel, your boil-infested hosts, Chort and Chern decided we needed a pick-me-up, so we reached out to Timo Kontio, guitarist of …And Oceans, to come visit us, and have a chat. After we finally got our rotary phone working, he agreed and took the 35-hour drive to London to discuss the latest album, As in Gardens, So in Tombs, the evolution of …And Oceans’ sound over the years, youthful energy, and battling mutant cyborg badgers…Read on, Citadelians!
Timo, thanks for taking the time to sit with us on these old wicker chairs, hope you don’t mind the mold. Your latest album As in Gardens, So in Tombs is nearing the seven month mark, has the reception been everything you hoped for?
Response has been overwhelming. It is easy to say that we are pleased of it of course, but to hear how new fans are taking it and old ones as well. You never know how, especially old fans would take our new material, but these two ‘comeback’ albums have shown that we are really doing something right, haha.
Adrien Bousson's artwork for "As in Gardens, So in Tombs" is deeply connected to the lyrics. How important is the visual aspect of your albums in conveying the overall message or theme?
Visual aspect and the whole physical package have always been really important in our band. No reason to change that. These two latest albums are of course strongly together with the lyrics. Artwork is an interpretation of how Adrien sees the lyrics. Mathias did give some hints, but still.
The sound of ...and Oceans has evolved over the years. How do you strike a balance between staying true to your roots and experimenting with new sounds?
Yes, we have always done music on our own terms and not being afraid of how people would take it. I think that is one reason it has a certain respect from the people. Though there are those people who don’t appreciate this at least back in the 90’s and early 00’s.
Now we have gone back to our early sound, but still having some industrial/electronic elements here and there. That is something that we most certainly keep on doing. What is the mix and balance of these two remains to be heard.
The right balance is something that is coming from the whole band so to speak. We have to agree and like everything as a band. If there is something that is too much and is not to everyone's liking then most likely that will be dropped. So everything goes through our ‘band’ filter and thus the result might be in right balance.
You mentioned the youthful energy bands put into their early records. How do you channel that same energy and passion into your music after so many years in the industry (we’re not saying you’re old!)?
One would think that this music industry and music business would kill every artist struggling in surviving, but maybe our hiatus gave us something extra that we can still come up with something new and have the energy to go out there play for the masses. Yes, we are old, haha, at least some of us. It is better now when we have younger guys in the band so they have the energy needed and boost us older guys.
Timo being overly excited…
Speaking of youthful energy, can you tell us more about this photo (see below)!
Haha, that is me being excited about getting our debut album in my hands back in the ‘98. Isn’t that obvious?
With AI becoming more prevalent in the creative field, do you see a future where AI might be used in songwriting or music composition?
I certainly hope not. Even the idea gives me chills in a bad way. Making new music and getting all the puzzles in the right order and hearing the final product is one the best feelings you can have.
The lyrics of ...and Oceans are known for their depth and thoughtfulness. How do you approach the songwriting process to ensure the lyrics resonate with listeners on a personal level?
I don’t think about lyrics when making new stuff. Never had and no need to. Music comes first, usually and then Mathias creates lyrics for certain tracks if getting inspired by the song or sometimes there are lyrics ready and then he adjusts them to any of the ready songs.
With the changing dynamics of the music industry, how do you envision the future of ...and Oceans in the next decade?
Hopefully we are touring different continents and doing great festivals all over the world. Also releasing new music along the way. I don’t need anything more personally.
RAPID FIRE! Please pick only one:
Dim Nagel or Kvist?
Kvist even though Dim Nagel is interesting.
Stout or IPA?
IPA.
Mustikkapiirakka or pulla?
Mustikkapiirakka.
Destroyer or Love Gun?
Damn…. Love Gun.
Now onto some more peculiar questions! If …And Oceans were to be a potion, what would be its effects?
And Oceans potion would be lotion… effects are known by everyone… aaah, I don’t know, haha
Which ancient civilization do you think was the most metal?
Spartan… I don’t know why, but it somehow resonates with metal… strict, militaristic etc.
What's the most unexpected thing on your playlist right now (If it’s T-Swift you have to admit it!)?
Peggy Lee, haha. Don’t ask me why, but she is on one of my daily mixes on Spotify… I tend to listen to these old singers sometimes… gives a great balance with these artists at the other side of the spectrum.
Image Credit: DVSK - Photography
You’re about to fight 1,000 mutant-cyborg badgers, it’s not a fight you can win, all the members of …And Oceans are surrounded, you have the power to summon three Metal legends to come to your aid riding in on hell-horses, which three legends are they (past or present)?
Dio, Lemmy and Randy Rhoads.
What’s the best way to support the band ?
Nowadays and maybe previously too, buying official merch and attending gigs. Sure buying physical albums too.
Finally, we request artists to ask a random question to the next band we interview (they don’t know who it will be). What would you like to ask them?
These might always be those more unusual questions…. Which of these do you prefer: Finnish, Swedish or Norwegian black metal? Why?
Any final parting words for our readers?
Please check our new album ‘As In Gardens, So In Tombs’. Go to gigs and enjoy music!
We want to thank Timo for visiting the Citadel, and answering some of our more obscure questions! Citadelians, if you haven’t already purchased ‘As In Gardens, So In Tombs’, what are you waiting for?! HUH?! GO! BUY IT!
Support …And Oceans, visit them on Bandcamp, and make sure we have more of their metal fury to listen to in the coming eons.
