Oblivion Beach returns with their poignant new single “Stay,” blending melancholic doom and powerful rock. We explore its inspirations, creation process, and how it bridges past and future works.
1. Congratulations
on your upcoming single "Stay"! Can you tell us about the inspiration
behind the song and its themes?
Thank you!
It sure feels good to put out a new track. It’s been a while since our first
album came out. Covid shitstorm wreaked havoc in everyone’s lives and for me
personally it was time of artistic slumber. I couldn’t turn the emptiness into
art no matter how damn cool it would have sounded. With this new single we as a
band and me as writer are coming back to artistic life.
It might
not come through in text that obviously but the very first inspiration for
´”Stay” was this fucked up war in Ukraine. I found myself thinking about a
small group of deserted soldiers wandering in ruins of a once lively city. How
dreams get torn down and fear becomes your dance partner. How the touch of a
friendly skin becomes a lifeline.
As
songwriting went on this thought expanded into a more philosophical question of
human communication and trust during the darkest moments.
2. The
track blends melancholic doom with powerful rock elements. How do you approach
balancing these contrasting styles in your music?
Personally,
I don’t spend too much time thinking about genres and possible fences. If
something feels right it’s right. Doomy stuff is something that speaks to my
inner ghoul but then again I have a thirst for some drive too. It all comes
down to the feel and overall tone of the song – if you manage to stir different
elements into a tasteful poison that’s job done.
3. "Stay"
was recorded at Tonehaven Recording Studio with Tom Brooke. What was the
recording process like, and how did Tom contribute to shaping the track?
We’ve been
going to Tonehaven and Tom for our recording needs for some time now (also with
our earlier band Vuolla) and the reason is simple: working with Tom is just
plain great. I’ve always felt most welcome and secure in artistic sense
recording with Tom. Also the studio is super nice and has it’s own special
feeling that I think suits our mood perfectly. On top of being a skillful audio
engineer and all that Tom is just the nicest fellow. He knows when to push you
just a bit further for the right take and also when it’s time to take a breather.
And last but not least – Tom is a damn fine kitchen master too! The process
itself was quite straightforward this time. We had a pretty finished demo when
we went to Tonehaven so we just got straight to work after a nice espresso of
course!
4. Your
sound has been compared to bands like The Gathering, Black Sabbath, and Saint
Vitus. Are there specific influences from these or other bands that inspired
"Stay"?
Sabbath is
the eternal an everflowing source of inspiration for all metal on planet earth
and probably in this solar system too and we also drink from the same well. And
yes I totally get the Gathering and Vitus vibes also. Can’t really name
anything specific though that would be like a single clear inspiration. These
things come from the deeper waves and we only channel the mix.
5. Kati,
your vocals and keyboards play a pivotal role in the band’s atmospheric sound.
How do you incorporate emotion and storytelling into your performance?
I have
always felt that the darker shades of life such as loss and grief are somehow
stronger and more real than the happier times. Pain stays longer than a laugh.
There is beauty in melancholy and I feel that my voice naturally tunes into
these moods. Through music I channel both personal sorrows and the pain of
others.
6. You're
currently writing material for your second album, slated for release in 2025.
How does "Stay" serve as a bridge between your past work and what
fans can expect from the new album?
Stay is a
step towards clarity in musical expression. Simplicity and focusing on the
feel. This is the way of the next album too. But this does not mean the album
would be full of songs like Stay. It just means that we focus more on what is
the core thing of each song.
7. With
Finland known for its rich metal scene, how has the local music culture
influenced Oblivion Beach’s sound and evolution?
Back in the
days of living and rehearsing in Jyväskylä I guess there were two bands that
had impact on much of what was going on inside Lutakko rehearsal spaces.
Swallow the Sun and Ghost Brigade. Both damn fine sculptors of Jyväskylä metal
ethos.
8. Your
music delves into melancholic and introspective themes. What draws you to
explore these emotions, and how do you hope listeners connect with them?
Melancholy
is somehow cathartic. Dive deep into a sad song and you might find yourself a
bit more relieved of your baggage when you surface at the end of the song. We
all carry something. Life works that way – you don’t get to the end without
scars. This is a universal ritual I believe and that’s the connection I hope
our listeners find.
9. The
band has a diverse lineup, with each member bringing unique skills and
perspectives. How do you collaborate during the songwriting process to create
your signature sound?
Usually I
write a demo with some awkward midi drums and send it to Timo who always keeps
laughing at my drum programming skills! I know it’s horrible but I just throw
something there to play the riffs with. So there Timo picks up the demo and
starts to shape it into something that actually makes sense drum-wise. In the
meantime I write lyrics and work with Kati with the vocals and keys and Karita
seeks out her own expression to bass lines. Then we meet at the rehearsal space
in Jyväskylä or Helsinki and begin to shape the song for studio. So the main
tone and structure of songs come from me but many times the demos go through a
lot of shaping as we play them together.
10. As
you prepare for the release of "Stay," what are your hopes for how
the song will resonate with fans, and do you have any plans for live
performances or other promotions?
As I write this “Stay”
has been out for a week now and feedback is nice. We are on the lookout for
doing some live shows this winter but nothing is locked at the moment.
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