Fireal (Pt. 3)

Interviewed by Enkeli and Kissa

We originally intended for this to be an audio interview and it was…But because of the location (see further into the interview ), the audio turned out to be not so good So what we’ve done is transcribed it, as is, for you to read. We hope by leaving it as it was actually said, you’ll feel like you’re a part of the conversation!

Kissa:

So, we are here with Caleb from FIRE▲L and we’re about to ask some questions. So I’m about to fire away. What part of the creative process is the most fun for you? Is it writing the lyrics? Recording or coming up with new songs? A session with the guitar?

Caleb:

I think it’s when you first create a pre-version of a song and you get the feel to it. And, if it’s good then I’m just jamming to it. But you can’t like compare them because they are different things. It’s really fun to be in the studio but it’s great to play live and they are all like different things you love. So you really can’t compare them.

Kissa:

So completely different areas for you then?

Caleb:

Yeah.

Kissa:

Ok, fair enough. How does it make you feel knowing that your opening up for HIM coming up pretty soon, a bet that must have been thrilling call for you.

Caleb:

Feels like deja vu!

Kissa:

Deja vu?

Caleb:

Yeah but it’s great, it’s great that Ville wanted us to come there and open for them, as the first band to play in Helldone.

Kissa:

That’s awesome.

Caleb:

And it’s great to see that Ville has been following our progress along the way.

Kissa:

That’s pretty amazing.

Caleb:

Yeah it’s really cool, and as for Bleak and now FIRE▲L, I’m really grateful for the support I’ve got from him.

Kissa:

Awesome! Alright, you seem like a perfectionist with your music, does this ever make creating a song difficult? Like are you ever happy with just the first draft of or first cut? Or do you always re-work it?

Caleb:

Yeah. Actually that’s the thing, like I told you before when I make the pre-version of the song, it could be totally different from the one that’s finalized. So I’m just like playing with it, it’s like sketching. “This is ok, but what if I do this like that…” And so on.

Kissa:

Ohh ok so you build that?

Caleb:

Yeah.

Kissa:

It’s never just the first cut for you?

Caleb:

I think Picasso once said “you can never write ‘finished’ underneath any painting”.

Kissa:

That’s true.

Caleb:

But there’s this point where, for example, with “The Imperia” I remember the first version was pretty different and I had the feel that it was good but not there yet. And the other version that came out, was like, “yeah, now it works!”. But I know that once I start listening to it I come up with new ideas, but at some point you have to say no.

Kissa:

That’s it .. Alright awesome. What are the aims or emotions you are trying to get to your audience when you’re performing? Is there a particular vibe you’re trying to get or are you just open to whatever comes your way?

Caleb:

Hmm, it’s like where the music takes me at that particular moment. I don’t want to plan things when I’m performing cuz’ I think you have to be genuine too .. I mean on tonight’s show I was a bit shy cuz this was my first gig for a while. The last gig I played I think was a year and a half ago.

Kissa:

Ohh ok so some down time.

Caleb:

Yeah, and this was our first gig together.

Kissa:

As a band.

Caleb:

With FIRE▲L, yeah, so .. but I don’t want to plan things. There are these singers who plan like “ok, during this song I’m going to take my shirt off” “And I’m going to say this line and that line” and stuff like that. I don’t, well I’m not going to say what’s right or wrong but I don’t want to do that.

Kissa:

Ok so it’s your own thing then pretty much?

Caleb:

Yeah, I want to improvise, or at least be genuine.

Kissa:

Ok, that makes it more fun anyway. We have to keep guessing. Um when do you find yourself most productive? Is it a particular time of the day, day of the week? Is it a season? Is there any special time you feel like your really nailing it?

Caleb:

Well here’s the tragedy: when things are going really well and I’m in love (I used to be engaged by the way) that’s the time when I’m less productive cuz’ I’m happy. But like for the upcoming album ‘Molotov Cocktails’ the songs come from the depths of my misery and sadness and stuff like that. When bad things happen to me I want to write them down and I got some lyrics that don’t end of being songs but sometimes I just jam with the guitar like I want to get it out of my system.

Kissa:

Right, in some way.

Caleb:

Yeah, so basically all the songs are about that but whereas ‘Burns Inside’ was about like the bad stuff that girls have done to me, mainly So there’s some, for example ‘The Imperia’ deals with the situation in the whole world and nothing personal. So there are a lot of other songs like ‘Pyromania’ and stuff like that. I don’t know, there’s still stuff…

*guy starts singing*

Caleb:

That was a high note

Caleb:

Yeah but it’s sad cos I mainly write like, for this music it’s dark and it’s not about happy feelings so when I’m happy I don’t feel like writing a song. “Ok I’m gonna write this happy, happy, happy-song” So when I’m down I’m writing songs, when I’m hurt or something like that. But it’s a good thing cuz’ a lot of Bleak fans have come to me and said that “you know this album ‘Burns Inside’ helped me during a hard time of my life”. You know? So in a way my pain becomes music and that music helps another that is feeling that pain.

Kissa:

Ok, alright so it’s a coping.

Caleb:

So something good can come out of pain.

Kissa:

Very good. Alright, how is making this album indifferent from before? Is the atmosphere different? Do you feel better about it?

Caleb:

Yeah actually everything is better. I’m not saying it was unbearable with Bleak but with FIRE▲L, it’s a lot easier, everything is going forward a lot faster and there is no personal stuff involved, no arguing, nothing like that.

Kissa:

Ok, so overall you ensited it’s definetly been a better success.

Caleb:

Hey maybe we should change our location?

*Kissa & Enkeli laugh*

Kissa:

From out of the bathroom?

Caleb:

Ohh no we can’t

Enkeli:

Bathroom it is.

Kissa:

Moi Enkeli.

Enkeli:

Terve.

Kissa:

One second we’re busy doing location check here cuz’ we’re in the bathroom right now backstage.

Enkeli:

Yeah and it kind of needs to be used sometimes

Kissa:

Sometimes

Kissa:

Ok, lets just continue on then. How many hours a day would you say you spend on your music? Like if you had to sum it all up.

Caleb:

Well. It depends on how I spend my time with music. I’m doing, I’m constantly doing something in my head. Ohh ok maybe a few hours doing something else, like…

Kissa:

Facebook?

Caleb:

No, actually I’m screen writing a movie at the moment and I’m writing the score for the movie also.

Kissa:

Wow.

Caleb:

I also do some graphic design. I did the design for the website of FIRE▲L. I’m not much of a web designer but I guess it’s good enough. So I do stuff like that. It’s like when I’m not like writing stuff or playing or singing. Although umm I’m singing all the time, in the shower and .. when I’m cooking I’m like *sings*

Kissa & Enkeli:

Yes!

Caleb:

But it’s when I’m not like playing with ideas for songs – and I think that’s important as well. You need to have distance to your music in order to make it better.

Kissa:

Right, yeah ok. Alright so “The Imperia” is definetly a kick ass song I have to say it is one of my favourites. Bravo, bravo! Can you explain the name and the inspiration? I know you said it was more about world issues.

Caleb:

Do you know what ‘imperia’ means?

Kissa:

No I don’t.

Caleb:

Do you know what ‘imperium’ means?

Kissa:

No idea, my latin sucks, I’m sorry

Caleb:

It’s latin and it’s means ‘empire’.

Enkeli:

Yeah like emperial.

Caleb:

Yeah ‘empire’ and ‘Imperia’ is a plural of that. Like two empires. There is this empire of poverty and war and darkness, a world burning with flames. Then there’s this glamorous world of rich people and beautiful people and excess stuff and gold and so on.

Kissa:

So side by side?

Caleb:

Side by side. It basically describes the modern world where like everything, all the rich people, the successful and famous people are there on top. And then down here is the starvation and poverty everywhere. So it’s like two opposites.

Kissa:

Yes! Umm ok what has been the toughest part about making this album? and what has been the easiest?

Caleb:

Hmm I think the toughest part of FIRE▲L in general has been the difference that when Bleak broke up I was all by myself, there was no one around me. So I’m bearing a lot of responsibility and burden alone in comparison to Bleak. But the easiest part is like I said that everything is going so, so fast. Yeah everything like the studio sessions are a lot faster and we can do things a lot faster. Once we get to record the whole album cos we haven’t recorded the whole album yet.

Kissa:

Ok, so it’s just we’ve seen on myspace? That kind of stuff?

Caleb:

No, oh no no actually we have recorded stuff for the album but not the whole album.

Kissa:

Ohh ok, gotcha. Alright so there’s still more we need to wait for then.

Caleb:

Yeah.

Enkeli:

Great!

Kissa:

Ok lets see. If we snuck a peak on your ipod what kind of stuff would be find on there? Anything esting?

Caleb:

I don’t have a ipod.

Kissa:

Ohh you’re joking…

Enkeli:

On your computer? What would we find?

Kissa:

Your music collection?

Caleb:

Well, well it’s kind of strange cuz’ hmm .. I basically write so much music everyday, so on my free time I don’t listen to music that much.

Kissa:

Oh ok.

Caleb:

I write stuff from jazz to pop and movie scores and all these things. But I do have some favourite artists: I love Slipknot, I love Deftones and I love Jeff Buckley. And I love Danny Elfman all the stuff that he has done. And Trevor Jones. Too many to mention but there’s not one, a particular band that I’m listening to.

Kissa:

What are you hopes for the single? With ‘The Imperia’? What is your ultimate goal and what would you love to see realized with it?

Caleb:

I planned this music video for the song and I hope to see that realized. Cuz’ it’s going to be a really kickass music video!

Kissa:

Awesome!

Enkeli:

It should be

Kissa:

Exactly, alright Kirsten. Handing it over to Enkeli.

Enkeli:

My turn. If you can relate your music to any other band what would it be? Or which bands?

Caleb:

Hmm well, lets see. FIRE▲L could be are a combination of Backstreet Boys, and Deftones, and Alice in Chains and Slipknot or something like that.

Enkeli:

Nice!

Enkeli:

Nice combo mix. Well what’s your favourite song to perform?

Caleb:

At the moment I think maybe, maybe it’s The Imperia

Enkeli:

Uhuh, tonight what did you feel gave you the biggest rush after performing?

Caleb:

Hmm, it’s hard to say, they’re all different, it’s like you can’t name one song but I really liked hmm ‘The Crying’ maybe The Crying. I like the new feeling of the chorus.

*Someone walks in*

Kissa:

Alright

Caleb:

This was a bad spot. We can go there. *points*

Kissa & Enkeli:

Into the shower!?

Caleb:

But uh this is the only quiet spot.

Enkeli:

No it’s ok, this works fine.

Kissa:

This is alright.

Enkeli:

Ok. What band do you think the world should love just as much as you do?

Caleb:

*sighs* Hmm, that’s a really hard question because there are so many bands and they are like popular but I think Deftones deserves more commercial success. Of course they are already successful but like that’s a really big influence to me so I’d love to see their music videos on the tv everywhere and songs playing on the radio and so on…

Enkeli:

Ok. What song describes your life? Any song.

Caleb:

*sighs* These are hard questions

Enkeli:

Are they really?

Caleb:

Hmm.

Kissa:

I tried really hard.

Caleb:

At the moment lets see. Maybe ‘Street spirit’ by Radiohead

Enkeli:

And why is that?

Caleb:

Cuz’ I think there’s this sadness that has been contained in that song in a way that no other band has done it.

Enkeli:

Ok

Caleb:

I’m a melodramatic guy You know, I love when artists manage to contain like this sad feelings or anger or something like that in a song, In a good way. There’s a lot of these bands like *caleb starts singing screamo* They don’t sound cool anymore, it’s starting to sound funny, not convincing enough.

Kissa:

Well that’s ok Radiohead is awesome!

Enkeli:

Yeah they are very good.

Kissa:

Well you mentioned you sang in the shower. What do you like to sing in the shower?

Enkeli:

Another particular?

Caleb:

Well I’m singing these pop songs.

Caleb:

I’m singing like some blues stuff too.

Enkeli:

Oh ok you have to sing something then?

Kissa:

What’s the lastest one in the shower?

Caleb:

They might not be even songs, just some melodies, some melodies.

Kissa:

Do something

Caleb:

No it’s uh

Kissa:

You put him on the spot

Enkeli:

Well we will continue then. Ok so describe FIRE▲L in 5 words.

Caleb:

Hmm fury. It’s like there are these words in Finnish I can’t totally translate, but it’s like this burning when you need to do something, you got this burning.

Enkeli:

What’s it in Finnish?

Caleb:

‘Palo’ it’s like urge to do something, urge. And then tragedy. How many words?

Enkeli:

Five.

Caleb:

Five ok. Caressing and like how do you say creating a bang or something, like nailing that thing.

Kissa:

Alright

Caleb:

Something like that.

Kissa:

Nailing it

Enkeli:

Alright. Pin pointing it.

Caleb:

Yeah

Enkeli:

What is the worst song to get stuck in your head?

*Guy screams backstage, warm-ups*

Caleb:

That song

Caleb:

No umm

*Guy sings ‘Step by Step’ by NKOTB*

Caleb:

Well I actually like New Kids on the Block

Enkeli:

They are not too bad, not too bad.

Caleb:

Yeah I think there are some bands are not musically talented and the songs are not that good. Ok I have to admit something, maybe some Finnish FIRE▲L fans are not going to like this but I really dislike this Finnish band called’ Apulanta’.

Kissa:

Ohh Enkeli…

Caleb:

When their songs are playing on the radio I wish…

*Guy warms-up*

Kissa:

Warm-ups

Enkeli:

You really don’t like Apulanta?

Kissa:

Why?

Enkeli:

Yeah why?

Caleb:

Well …I’m going to be nice now… let’s just say that it’s not my kind of thing. I don’t like the band musically.

Kissa:

Alright, nicely done

Enkeli:

You said you enjoy screen writing? What genre do you turn to most? Like what type of subject?

Caleb:

Fantasy, I really love fantasy but I like sci-fi too. But in general all these musicals like ‘Corpse Bride’ and ‘Sweeny Todd’ and stuff like that. Yeah it’s like in music there are different genres I like but I’m not really into horror movies.

Kissa:

Ohh really? I would have pegged you as a horror fan

Caleb:

No, no.

Kissa:

Oh really?

Caleb:

When I look into the mirror it’s all the horror I need.

Kissa & Enkeli:

Awww

Caleb:

Kissa:

Alright

Caleb:

Aw with these puppy eyes and all *referring to sclera lenses*

Kissa:

Hey the contact lenses are awesome!

Enkeli:

Yeah.

Kissa:

Bravo!

Enkeli:

Good touch, very good.

Caleb:

They are this big *spreads his eyelids*

Enkeli:

Damn, wow.

Kissa:

Looks like saucers.

Enkeli:

Ouch!

Enkeli:

Isn’t that difficult to get in, looks painful too.

Caleb:

Well it’s not painful but at the begining it was really difficult to get in it depends on the condition of my eyes. Like 5 to 10 minutes.

Kissa:

Geez..

Enkeli:

Oh wow just for one?

Caleb:

No it’s not like, it’s not hard like it doesn’t feel bad but it’s hard to get them back in.

Kissa:

Right.

Enkeli:

So it’s like kind of like a normal contact lens? It’s soft?

Caleb:

Yeah.

Enkeli:

Ok. Where do you see FIRE▲L in 5 years?

Caleb:

Well there are a lot of things that could happen and I hope FIRE▲L will be touring worldwide in 5 years from now. And we have released the album in the States and made successful there and yeah something like that.

Kissa:

We hope that too.

Enkeli:

Yes, many many years. What kind of band do you want to open for you? Like if you can pick anything.

Caleb:

Open for us?

Enkeli:

Anyone.

Kissa:

You would be headliners and they would be openers.

Enkeli:

Yes.

Caleb:

Well hmm actually my friend has this band called ‘The Purifiction’.

Kissa:

The perfection?

Caleb:

P..u..r..i fiction.

Kissa & Enkeli:

Purfiction, ok.

Caleb:

And it’s really great, it’s this metal music but I really like it and I think they will be our opening act.

Kissa:

You already have them on the line-ups?

Caleb:

Yeah we talk about it.

Enkeli:

Do they sing in Finnish or English?

Caleb:

English.

Enkeli:

English, alright

Kissa:

There we go.

Enkeli:

Hmmm…

Caleb:

You got a lot of questions…

Enkeli:

We have lots of questions

Kissa:

Yeah.

Enkeli:

We wanted to give you a hard time.

Caleb:

I hope you guys are editing this

Kissa:

Yeah don’t worry

Enkeli:

Don’t worry. Ok so which artist and/or bands have been a stepping stone for you as your pursuit as a musician?

Caleb:

When I was 16 the band that got me to want to be in a band, to start writing music for living and become a musician, was Pearl Jam.

Kissa:

Pearl Jam?

Caleb:

Pearl Jam and then came Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana was also ok. Those bands were the ones I really liked.

Kissa:

Like your top ones?

Caleb:

And later on came Slipknot and Deftones.

Enkeli:

Right on!

Caleb:

And Backstreet Boys *starts singing*

Kissa:

Yes!

Enkeli:

And do you know all the dance moves too?

Kissa:

You have to know…

*Caleb dances*

Kissa:

Oh that was perfect!

Enkeli:

In your past you performed with other artists is there any chance of seeing you perform new songs again with any other artist? and different artist?

Caleb:

Yeah everything is possible…

Enkeli:

Who would you like to see yourself doing a song with?

Caleb:

Well you know I have these dreams of performing or writing a song with Eddie Vedder or Bono but I don’t know.

Enkeli:

Anyone else?

Kissa:

Who would, if someone was available tomorrow you would you take?

Caleb:

Eddie I think I like to write a song with Eddie.

Kissa:

There you go!

Caleb:

I’d like to sit down and have a chat with him and write a song.

Kissa:

Awesome

Enkeli:

Are you considering touring any other country besides Finland? and if so where and why?

Caleb:

Well our music is mainly targeted outside Finland you know?

Kissa:

So English?

Caleb:

Yeah so that would be like England, Europe and America.

Enkeli:

Ok cool. Is there anyone in particular you would want to thank for your success?

Caleb:

There are a lot of, a lot of people that have supported me but I’d like to thank the fans. The fans would be the first because you know when Bleak broke up…*phone rings*

Kissa:

Phone call?

Caleb:

Well the fans because when Bleak broke up for a moment it was like I had no support from anywhere, for a moment but the fans.

Enkeli:

Right.

Caleb:

And they were like constantly, as soon as I annouced there’s this other band, there were all these fans that would immediately support me. So that’s why, I’m humbled and really grateful for all the support from the fans.

Kissa:

Alright, well you know Kaheli, Enkeli and I are there for you too?

Enkeli:

Yep.

Kissa:

We followed you all the way from beginning and I think that you were, yeah you were one of my first Finnish bands I was absolutely blown away by you. So bravo.

Caleb:

Thank you!

Kissa:

Your welcome. Ok what’s your take on fans that immulate their favourite band or musician? Does it bother or creep you out in any way? Or does it seem like a compliment of some sort?

Caleb:

Well I remember when I was 16 I used to dress like Eddie Vedder and sing like him. So I understand it when your young cuz’ you like some band so much you want to do everything like they do but when you grow up and you do this thing longer I think you, if your still copying something it’s not, it’s like lack of imagination.

Kissa:

Ok. So you’ve grown out of that faze then?

Caleb:

Yeah a long time ago

Kissa:

Good alright. How old were you when you realized that being a perfessional musician was your path in life?

Caleb:

Hmm it was 14.

Kissa:

14 alright wow, that’s pretty young.

Caleb:

Yeah. In highschool I remember all these students talking together about what their plans for the future like “ok I’m going to study this” and they asked me “What about you?” I was like “Well I was planning on getting the band big and like breaking through” and they were like eyes wide open and silent for a while and said “Ok”

Caleb:

Cuz’ it was like in Finland people don’t believe in that kind of dreams and they didn’t believe in my dreams back then and later on when I got some success, then they started believing, which is kinda fucked up, when you think that moment when you really need support is when you are not successful, and I got no support back then. But it’s like, I think if you have dreams and your willing to work for them and you totally follow your heart then your going to make it, no matter what.

Kissa:

Alright yeah. Ok, ohh this is one of Kaheli’s questions. Boxers, Briefs or Commando?

Caleb:

What?

Kissa:

Boxers, Briefs or Commando?

Caleb:

Boxers

Kissa:

Alright!

Kissa & Enkeli:

Kissa:

Who has been the biggest influence in your life?

Caleb:

Hmm well I can say only about musicians that Eddie Vedder was first and biggest influence for me cuz’ he was the one who started in gettng me to write songs in the first place. No, actually that’s not true, I wrote my first songs when I was 8 years old, with a piano and later on I did some techno music.

Kissa:

Awesome!

Caleb:

So I don’t think there’s one artist that did that for me but I remember listening to Bon Jovi and Skid Row when I was really young, like a baby.

Kissa:

Back in the day?

Caleb:

Back in the day.

Kissa:

Ok what is your favourite mixed drink, alcoholic? Describe what it is.

Caleb:

Well, there’s this shot called Panther which is like half of Salmiakki Koskenkorva and half of Fisherman’s Friend. That’s something that I usually like to drink when I’m drinking shots but I don’t want to like, I think that this idea of rockers drinking it’s not good. Maybe later on I’ll be strong enough to stop drinking for good. But I do love red wine.

Kissa:

Red wine, ok.

Caleb:

Red Wine

Enkeli:

What’s your favourite Red Wine? Any brand?

Caleb:

Anything from Chile

Kissa:

Ohh Chile, very nice. Alright so that’s all the questions we have for you. Anything else you would like people to know? Send out to the world.

Caleb:

Well…

Kissa:

In this lovely bathroom we are in right now…

Enkeli:

With this shower, toilet.

Caleb:

Well, I’m in a profound mood right now, so my message to people is that even though the world as we see it now, everything in it seems to scream things like “love and hope and God don’t exisit” cuz’ I think people only believe in what they can grab and feel. But I believe that these things are real, I know they are, and they are the things that only matter the most so don’t lose your hope, don’t lose your beliefs and trust and believe in love and each other. I think people have to remember even though we are worlds apart and in different places, we are one cos we’re all the same. So U2′s ‘One’ the song, the lyrics, that’s what I want to say.

Kissa:

Awesome, thank you very much.

Caleb:

Thank you!

Enkeli:

Thank you!

Cruise Me To The Top!!

Fireal (Pt. 3), 9.6 out of 10 based on 11 ratings