Only a few days to go

Wasa Band Jam coming up this Saturday. Be there!

/H

Wasa Band Jam coming up

It's been a while since I posted here. I've been very busy, and I also had a cold. But I'm back in business now. Starting next week we'll try to practice a little more with Hilastherion again. And about three weeks from now, our Foo Fighters cover band will be performing the second time in just a few weeks. Our first gig went really well, even though I had a fever the day before the gig. But the show must go on, and it did. At Wasa Band Jam you can hear us if you missed it the first time, or if you want to see/hear us again. WBJ is on the 16th of March, so come and rock out with us and loads of other bands.

See you there!

/H

Mission accomplished

After three days with a fever (39 C) I was finally well enough to get up on my feet and play the gig last night. S couldn't make it, she had a terrible headache. But my parents were there. It actually meant quite a lot to me that they got to see me do what I do best musically. And they liked it, so what could be better than that?

Our singer had put up a camera and filmed the gig, and some time after the gig while I was sound asleep, he texted me and wrote: "I just watched the gig...Thank you for coping, if you die now, that was one hell of a finale!!".Well, I'm not planning to die just yet, this morning I got up before nine and took a shower. But sure, it was hard work last night.

The Pretender was the worst part. None of the other guys could hit those high notes, and the song is really kind of weak without them. So I did it anyway, even though my voice wasn't in shape at all. Sure, I made it through, but it couldn't have been pretty. Well...apparently you couldn't tell that my voice almost cracked several times, so it's all good.

Anyway, my point is that I would like to promote the main event, Wasa Battery Band Jam on March 16th. It's definitely worth a visit. After all, you get to see my pretty face in action...hopefully with a voice in much better shape than yesterday ;-D

/H

Pre band jam

It's possible that this event description has been available for some time already, but here's a link to the Pre band jam where we will be performing songs by the Foo Fighters. Unfortunately it's available only in Finnish, but here's a rough (but not very good) translation:

***************

Fri 8.2.2013

We are still deep in the depths of winter, and that is always a good sign that the legendary Wasa Band Jam is coming!

Before the main event, we must warm up from the cold into jamming shape, and you can do this, of course, at the Pre Band Jam! During the event, three performers will give you a taste of what treats are in store for the Band jam sessions in 2013...

Put your hair into shape, throw your coat in the cloakroom and surrender to the Band Jam-atmosphere in good company!

JAM BABY JAM!

Wasa Band Jam 16.3. More info to come in due time. Stay tuned!

****************

Spring is approaching, join us, warm up for the main event and melt away the snow.

/H

Time flies

When we started practicing with the Foo Fighters cover band for the upcoming gigs, we hadn't practiced for quite a while, and we started thinking when our last practice session was. We came to the conclusion that it must have been about two years ago. How on earth is that possible? It wasn't THAT long ago, was it? But I'm sad to say that it really was that long ago. Time really does fly, eh?

Well, playing these songs is so much fun, that we definitely want to keep on playing together. And our new guitar player is a great addition to the band. Even though he told us last week after band practice that he doesn't even particularly like Foo Fighters. But he likes to play the songs, and he likes to play with us. So it's all good in the end anyway.

/H

Shameless plug

On the 8th of February and on the 23rd of March I'll be gigging with one of my bands, a Foo Fighters cover band. These two sets of ours are rather short, since we're not the only performing band on either occasion. But nevertheless, both gigs will be great. Take my word for it.

So, do come to Vaasa and rock out with us!

/H

Hilastherion - teaser and FB page

It's time for a Hilastherion update: Check out this teaser for our upcoming album "Signs of the End".

Also, check out our brand new official Hilastherion facebook page for updates.

/H

2013 and Rush

I think 2013 might just turn out to be a very good year. It all began in 2004 when I discovered a European Rush fan forum called The National Midday Sun (or TNMS in short) while looking for information about Rush R30 tour. I had no idea that I would get to meet some of the members in person, since most of the members came from the UK. But in 2004 I already met some of the members when I went to Stockholm to see Rush at the "Penultimate R30 Show at the Globe". And in 2007 a few of the UK based members came to Helsinki and attended the pre-gig meet (that I had arranged).

In 2013 I will be making a return visit to the UK. Once again thanks to Rush. And it was so nice of the band to pick my birthday as the date for the London gig. So if you're going to the O2 in London to see Rush, perhaps I'll see you there. Say hi if you happen to see me.

/H

It's Christmas time

I think it's time for a Christmas song. After all, Christmas is only a few days away now. This song has been a Christmas favourite of mine for many years now. Combining an all time favourite Christmas song with one of my favourite metal singers. Since this is most likely my last post before Christmas, I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Now, lean back and enjoy this song.

And finally, since this is possibly be my last post of 2012, I'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year too.

/H

Just a teaser...

Yesterday I saw the first pictures from the Hilastherion photoshoot, these first ones looked very good. I can't post them here just yet, but as soon as I can, I will. So, more to come shortly.

/H

Hilastherion, another update

I'm anxiously waiting for the pictures from the Hilastherion photoshoot, we should get them any time now. We have a design for the cover art for the upcoming album, the old band logo felt a bit old school, so we're updating it to something a bit more modern looking. And it's still too early to say exactly what the cover art will look like, since the logo will probably be visible on the cover art.

More updates to come...

/H

Hilastherion photoshoot

I'm watching Quantum of Solace, although I should be going to bed. Tomorrow (or should I say today, since it's already past midnight here) it's time for a long awaited Hilastherion photoshoot. I really should get a good nights sleep, since I have a cold and I don't want to look like it in the photos. I would also like to take this opportunity to invite fans of Hilastherion to like our Facebook page. News about the band or the upcoming album will be posted in this group.

Well, that's about it for this time, good night and I'll see you later.

/H

What a weekend

I had a great weekend. I had been looking forward to a larp workshop, but a week ago the workshop was cancelled, due to too few participants. However, this didn't matter too much, I had time to do some chores at home instead. It was good to finally get some of these things done, after postponing them too many times.

Saturday night a very good friend of mine had a Birthday party. As usual, it was great. We had some serious discussions and many not so serious ones. And the second most delicious chocolate cake I've ever tasted. And a very unexpected suggestion that I had to consider seriously. And we briefly discussed our upcoming Hilastherion photo shoot next weekend. And we also babbled a bit about some Renaissance music concerts, if I remember correctly, I think they will take place in April 2013.

Yesterday was rather fun. Just before noon I sat with my laptop, waiting to register for next year's upcoming anniversary LARP*. In 2 minutes and 28 seconds after they opened the registration form, 15 people had already registered! And I got the character I wanted. Or should I say, I got my first choice. We were told to choose three characters. The character we wanted to play, one backup if we didn't get that part, and a third one if the second character was also taken. All this since it might happen that several players want to play the same character. But now, I'm SO ready to rock as this character.

/H

*I've linked to the "Briefly in English"-page about the LARP, but if you understand Swedish and want to know more about it, you can read more here.

Band pics and roleplaying

Well, it's been a while since my last post. Work has been pretty crazy lately, which leaves very little time for blogging. At least when I spend a lot of my spare time making new characters for a vampire tabletop role-playing game. And play in a band. And try to have a life somewhere in the middle of all this. However, I'm not so fed up with things anymore. But the vampire characters turned out really great.

Vaguely related to these vampire characters, the two lists of roles for next years anniversary Larp have been published. And the type of character I've been considering for quite some time was on the lists. I did mention my thoughts quite some time ago to one of the game masters, and to another one just a few weeks back. So they knew I was interested in playing this type of character.

On the band front, the mastering for Hilastherions second album is done. Next up: taking new band pictures, we're currently trying to find a time that's ok for everyone in the band. And we need new pictures, two of the members have been replaced since the first album (I'm one of the new members). This, of course, brings us to the eternal and very important question: What to wear...?

/H

Enchanting

Lately I've been listening very much to the latest Wintersun album Time I. And I'm really loving it! It's Epic, Enchanting and Excellent. It's even better than I had imagined, and I'm even having a break in listening to a few other albums right now, in favour of Time I. I really like those albums as well, but they'll still be there when I'm done for now with Time I, so I'm not worried. But here's an example of what has to stand back for a while yet.

/H

Nice Wednesday

Breathe.

Breathe.

Breathe.

Don't forget to breathe...

Have a nice Wednesday, all of you.



/H

Final mixes done!

I have now heard the final mixes for the second Hilastherion album. It sounds great so far, and now it's time for mastering. More updates to come as soon as there's any more news.

/H

Music and Talent

Last Friday and Saturday there was an event here in Vaasa called "Musik och Talang" (which is Swedish for "Music and Talent"). There was a lot of workshops and stuff, and a lot of concerts took place. I didn't participate in any of the workshops, but I knew some of the musicians who were playing, so I wanted to go listen to a couple of them. On Friday three different bands played in a club called Doo Bop Club.

The first band was Icons of Elegance. Their bass player, Anssi Växby, was my first bass teacher back in the days when I started playing. During their set, I couldn't sit still in my chair. I did sit in my chair, but I wasn't still for a second. Their sound is influenced by the sixties, but it's still fresh.



The second band was Jerry Lindqvist and The Grace. Back in the days when I studied music, I shared an appartment with their drummer, Sam Fröjdö. Soulmates. Nothing more to say, really. Oh, the band...? Their sound is influenced by country, but with a Fenno-Swedish twist. They were better than I expected.



The third band was The Northern Governors. I had never heard of this band before, but they were a pleasant surprise. What a band! Funky, groovy and tight. By the end of their set I was dancing like crazy, and I wasn't alone.



All in all, an awesome night out with good friends. I couldn't have asked for more.

/H

Hilastherion update

This morning I noticed that we had got the "final" mixes for the upcoming Hilastherion album. So now I'm listening to all the tracks to get a better idea of the sound. And of course, there might still be small changes if there's anything wrong with any of these mixes. So far this sounds really sweet, I'm excited!

/H

Soon enough

I think the final piece in the Hilastherion album puzzle fell in place today. I won't say anything more at this point, all shall be revealed soon enough. Here's some music while you're waiting.



/H