CHANTOLA INTERVIEW

Just before the new single release out this week on Bonzai Progressive we sat down with Chantola for a few words about him and his work.

Hi Henrik, thanks a lot for talking with us, how are you today?

C: Fine thanks! very good! Enjoying the busy summer here in Finland with lots of gigs and hanging around with my friends.

What kind of things do you like to do when you’re not producing?

C: I have always spent my summers at our summer cottage when I was younger. I still love spending some time in the beautiful Finnish nature. Of course the music takes up most of my time but I love to go fishing every once in a while and hang around with my family and relatives also.

How did you first get into music production?

C: Really hard to say what drove me into producing, but the love for the electronic music comes from my years spent in Germany when I was younger. I used to live in Dusseldorf and that time the German MTV and other music channels where constantly playing stuff by ATB, Cosmic Gate, Blank & Jones etc. When I was first introduced to electronic music it was all about trance at the time, then I slowly discovered great techno acts like Sven Väth, Richie Hawtin, Ellen Allien etc. At the age of 14 I got my first synthesiser as a Christmas present, it was Yamaha RS-7000 groove box. I still have it and will never ever sell it. I love all things analog. I’ve always been interested in everything electronic, computers, gadgets and naturally instruments and synths. I think that’s the biggest reason I ever thought I wanted to do some sounds and loops by myself.

Who or what would be your biggest inspirations for making music and in life generally?

C: Of course there are lots of artists that I admire and follow but it is impossible to name every one of them. The biggest thing that really opened my eyes was my first visit to the legendary party Island of Ibiza back in 2003. I remember walking into Pacha as a 17 year old teenager and hearing that enormous sound system pumping out some quality house music. That was the moment I realised I want make some tracks and play records in places like this. The whole electronic music scene is full of things that inspire me. Everything from fashion, new technology, parties, tracks and live shows to the most underground clubs and places.

You have a very warm and lush vibe in your sound but how would you describe your sound?

C: I always try to add some soul and depth to my own productions. Sometimes it’s great to play banging danceable straight forward club music but I prefer containing as much emotion as I can in my own tracks and sets.

You’re currently working on your third studio album, can you tell us a little bit about that?

C: Yes! That is 100% true and its coming together really nicely. Not gonna reveal too much but It will be different. It will be a little bit slower that many may expect and it will contain more “organic” sounds like guitar, vocals, sax and even some trumpet action.

With a very impressive back catalogue, mainly through Bonzai, how did you get signed to Bonzai and what does it feel like being part of a close knit family of artists?

C: I’ve always enjoyed working with you guys. Only positive things to say and of course it feels good to be in the “family”. Let’s do great things together in the future!

Describe a typical day in the life of Chantola?

C: Ah. Depends so much but mainly I’m working on my other projects beside music. I’m a freelance graphic designer and have my own web shop that sells speakers, gadgets and everything electronic. I also run a label with my friend and that keeps my busy too. If I’m not working or hanging around with my friends you will find me in my studio working on my new tracks, remixing or doing mixtapes for radioshows or searching new music to play at my gigs.

Some of your tracks have been remixed by great producers, who would be your favourite remixer and on what track?

C: It has to be the Airwave remix of my track called “Another Day At The Dream Factory” released through Bonzai earlier this year. That guy is one of my favourite producers of all time and getting to release my own track with his remix is like a dream come true.

You’ve also collaborated with great producers, which project would be your favourite and why?

C: I have produced music with my good friend and mentor Jussi Vuorivirta for almost a decade now. The most memorable thing has to be our “Shanghai Story” track that was released through Black Hole Recordings in 2009. Mr. Sam contacted me personally and wanted a track similar to our “Passion” track that had been our first release ever. The deadline was very very strict because the track was gonna be released on Mr. Sam’s Opus compilation and at that time Jussi was located in Shanghai. Jussi made some chord variations and sent them over. I recorded some guitars and stuff and when Jussi came back to Finland a couple of days before the deadline we went to the studio, spent hours there and came out with a track called “Shanghai Story” and it was signed straight away. They liked it so much that they even wanted another track from us also and we delivered.

Apart from the studio album what other things do you have planned for the future?

C: I’m working on new singles and remixes also but I’m hoping and really looking forward to playing outside Finland in the near future. That would be another dream come true.

Finally if you could be anywhere else in the world right now, where would it be and why?

C: It’s such a cliché but I think I would like to be in Ibiza, enjoying everything the Island has to offer.

Well Henrik, thanks so much for chatting with us, it’s been a pleasure, take care.

C: Thank you so much! It’s been a pleasure indeed. Till next time.