R13: How did the change from classical music to rock music come about? Was it an organic process or something you all decided you wanted to try out?
A: Everything somehow happened by accident- we started to listen to rock and metal music whilst still playing classical music and decided we wanted to do something different, something no one expected and something that wasn't around at the time. There's nothing like it. It's so fun to see that we can do 150-160 shows now.
R13: How does this translate into your live shows then?
A: We're able to get away from the rock thing in our live shows if we want to. We have more mellow moments in our shows. We can do that because of our classical influences. It's also very surprising for people to see the crazy stuff we're doing.
R13: Do you still listen to as much classical music?
A: I will always hold classical music close to my heart. It's good for your mental health to do different things and listen to different music.
R13: There are several innovative bands who have broken out of Finland... would you say that it's your culture that causes you to play with different genres of music?
A: Our whole nation is young so there is a culture of music and experiments. 5 or 10 years ago they started to make more music and people started to play around. There are loads of bands from Finland now who use opera to their advantage. The age of Finland has a lot to do with the experimenting. It gives us more freedom to try out weird stuff.
R13: Can we expect any more collaborations with other artists from you in the future?
A: The cooperation we've done before has been nice. We've worked with a lot of artists who have inspired us and we'd like to do more. The 'Bittersweet' single we did with Ville and Lauri of HIM and The Rasmus was a big hit. It was on the last album and was fun to write. We'd been talking about it for years, about how it would be nice to do something. Then suddenly everyone was together and we recorded it. It was nice to get that final stamp on it- the record out on the streets. It's difficult to say how well it did with record sales getting lower and lower. We have been lucky enough to keep the right level and have someone who wants to release it. The piracy issue is very worrying but also kind of funny. In Russia for example, we don't release anything, but we'll still sell out all our shows!
R13: Do you download music yourself or are you very against it?
A: No I don't download at all. I copy my albums so I can have a copy in my summer cottage, but no... I prefer to appreciate artist's work. I think downloading is much like stealing to be honest... from an artist's point of view it feels like it.
R13: What about when people download a few tracks to work out if they like it?
A: Yeah, some people do that... a lot of people don't. Downloading with payment- like Napster- is the future. The record sales are going down all the time and companies are getting rid of bands. Downloading music is killing the industry, but it might be able to save it.
R13: What changes do you have to make to play live? Mentality as well as actual changes?
A: It's all about your mentality. You put your clothes on and see the people and you remember what it's like to play live. Our recordings are being done in a more classical way though. Our last two albums have had the melodies recorded with a classical sound. There's heavy distortions but you can still hear that it's a cello. People think that cellos are not capable of producing those kind of sounds. Our album was recorded by the man who recorded Rammstein.
R13: What's been happening in countries where they're less used to cellos and are more likely to take whatever is offered to them such as the UK and America?
A: In England we have played more tours... but in spring we did our first USA tour. It was small, but it sold out. We're going over there again this year because we were only there three weeks before.
R13: Any other festivals this year?
A: Yes, but not in the UK. We're doing 25-30 across Europe. The audiences are really different in every country. In Finland you don't want to play late at a festival because people will be drunk and asleep under the trees. It's a lot more energetic in England!
R13: What kind of crowd are you expecting to turn up for your set this afternoon?
A: Uuuh.. I'm not sure, but I just hope no one throws stones or rocks at us! Normally we don't expect anything out of the crowd. In the beginning you did your own thing and you don't always get large crowds. But with our band, there's stuff there for everyone to like. Maybe we can give something to everyone.
R13: With your albums... There's such a big change in your albums. It's a very diverse discography!
A: The first album sounds terrible! At that time no one knew how to record a cello in that way. Each album has been a new development and a way to learn new things. Our way of playing has changed.
R13: Has anyone copied the way you hold your bows when playing?
A: No... we're pioneers! We're the only ones. Nothing else comes close to what we're doing. But then, there are more cello bands now. We get lots of CDs from new bands like ourselves. If I had a message to spread it would be that you have to do what you want to do. You have to be open-minded. You can't say I love rock music so then I hate classical music and vice versa. Music is all the same really, it's all about playing with emotion.
R13: Do you find it's classical music fans who have the problem with the opposite type of music? A lot of rock bands will say they enjoy classical music but its not so obvious with classical music.
A: People who wait in the darker waters so to speak, like certain classical composers.. but yeah, it isn't so obvious the other way round.
R13: Any bands you're going to check out today?
A: Yeah, I'd like to see Megadeth. They were one of the bands I listened to when growing up. it's a pity we're leaving tomorrow 'cause of Black Sabbath!
R13: Anything else you're up to?
A: Yeah, I've got a solo project I'm working on. I want a three CD package- two rock and one classical. I've tried to take the rock style as far from Apocalyptica as possible. There are very few cello parts to the work and I also sing on it as well. I play guitar, and at the moment it seems like I'm playing the guitar more than the cello. Nothing is as fun as playing in the dark... naked... with big headphones on.
R13: Is that something you have to stop doing on tour then?
A: ...yeah