A musician story
Musician Matti Mattila wrote his story for us! Please read also his Finnish blog and check his page at LinkedIn.
My first experience with music started as early as four or five years old. Since then I have carefully listened to music and tried to imitate player’s role. Until my twelve years birthday I only loved music by hearing it on the radio. Then I found two tin cans I covered with thick piece of plastic and tightened the film with wires. Grabbing two wooden sticks and starting to beat the cans was a start of my career as a drummer. The rhythm was inspiring and stunning. It kept me beating and changing the speed from slow to quick and back. A new star was born.
We started to play in a rock group with my dear friend Age. He was a guitarist. Our band wasn’t complete until we got base player and lead singer. The year was late 1970’s. Before this we were playing in a group for more than five years having some minor concerts and other happenings. We had a lot of fun, and my first tin cans were changed to real a drum set. Rock music was not so common in Finland those days. Of course there were lot of artist and groups, but the real invasion of popular music bands was in late 1980’s. Our band had quited playing that time, but the members of the group still love music.
Our rock band Shakedown was formed in late 1970’s. The best time was 1982 when we released our first album. It wasn’t a big success, but very important milestone to us. The climate for young rock music wasn’t very friendly in Finland until 1990’s and after. I assume the nation wasn’t ready for limitless free lifestyle and some authorities tried to control what happened in teenagers’ world. Today everything is different. Finland now has many world-famous rock groups like Nightwish, HIM and Lordi. The long waited winning in European Song Contest a few years ago finally nailed our country as a serious music source.
I haven’t retired from playing drums, yet. Although I haven’t played for years it doesn’t mean that rock’n'roll is dead. In fact, I have dreamed of getting a new set of drums and starting to play again. I still love listening to rhythmic beat whenever I hear it on the radio or CD. Many other artistic hobbies have stolen my time. Theater and all kinds of appearance have kept me busy lately. Photography is one of my dearest hobbies. And of course, designing things among others. After all, music is still number one in my heart.
October 18th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
Muusikon tarina
Ystäväni Manuel Marino pyysi minulta haastattelua nettipäiväkirjaansa. Manuel on erinomainen säveltäjä ja tunnettu artisti niin kotimaassaan Italiassa kuin muuallakin päin maailmaa. Olin kovasti ilahtunut pyynnöstä, johon oli helppo suostua v…
October 30th, 2007 at 1:06 am
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November 20th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
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June 25th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
[...] Mattila wrote for us A musician story. He is back with a new article, this time a technology topic that I’m sure will interest many [...]