Off the Record with Altamullan Road

Guest interview by Kathy Criswell

Hello! If any of you know me, you’ve probably heard word of my love of Altamullan Road! I have very tentatively approached the world of music journalism recently and it only seems natural that I would eventually come to ask the Johannas some questions. Due to their very busy schedule, it was easier to do it via email… which was good all around! I already thought I was lucky enough to see them three times in Finland, but adding two more in the Netherlands… well I think I might be the luckiest girl alive right now! Altamullan Road put on amazing shows and I am so excited to share this with you!

It’s been a few weeks since your winter tour finished. Now, that you’ve had a bit of time to take it all in, how does it feel?

Johanna Iivanainen: Gratitude is the main feeling. It was a wonderful tour with wonderful people.

Johann Kurkela: Thank you, it feels absolutely wonderful! I wish we could’ve kept on touring. I feel so grateful for our team and all the lovely people who came to see us. I’m definitely a team player, drawing a lot of gusto from the energy and creativity of the people around me. It’s just so awe-inspiring to witness people’s spirits light up and illuminate a space as they tap into their unique gifts and pour out magical things from their passion. I never get tired of it. Hah, it makes me wanna write a song!

Does it feel different coming back to the stage after such a long time without? Especially after asking yourself what you were “made for”?

JK: Oh, absolutely. I feel like I’ve grown to love touring and connecting with people through music even more after the pandemic. Life is a wise teacher. It’s hard to appreciate the forest for the trees when we are swallowed by constant daily noise and work ourselves too thin. As much pain and frustration as the pandemic brought, I feel like it also gave me the biggest gift – my true self back. Stripped from all the "what ifs," "can'ts," and "should'ves," trying calamitously to catch the train by running after it rather than just finding peace in waiting for the right time to embark. Inner balance. The realization that we aren’t called “human doings” for a reason hit home hard. It’s still a work in progress, as is the nature of life, but I feel grateful for the wakeup call the pandemic gave me. I’ve been reminded to take more stops to smell the roses. But also, not to get stuck on other people’s lives and timetables, but to carve out my own and to cherish every moment, even every challenge, for they are our truest friends in disguise.

JI: Were are so looking forward to getting together to play after a while and it’s definitely a tingling feeling to wait to perform for the first time abroad.

When you’re on stage, can you see people’s faces? Do you ever watch their reactions to songs? Do you have any favorite memories of things like that?

JI: Yes, it’s heartwarming to see peoples reactions and how their faces can light up the room with smiles or sometimes maybe fall into tears and that is very moving to see. 

JK: Sometimes, on stage, there are moments when the light hits the audience just right and I can see people’s faces. I love it! I feel such pure love whenever I'm on stage with live music, it's hard to put into words. Seeing people’s faces, so beautiful, unique, cut out from the same cloth, connected, paused together for a fleeting moment to be present and feel together. To me, that is magic, the universe in miniature size, god, whatever you want to call it. Body of a greater whole, tapping into their true identity, for a moment, forgetting the stories we all tell ourselves of who we think we are, just breathing together, crying, smiling, singing, dancing, yawning, healing, all colors of existence present, as one.

Akin to finding the “names” of things in the Kingkiller Chronicle [by Patrick Rothfuss], do you think that finding the “names” of our emotions in things like songs and books helps us take control over them?

JK: That is an interesting question. Naming things can be hard sometimes. And sometimes the names of things that we thought we knew change. Concerning emotions, I’ve found acceptance to be a useful approach. Instead of racking one’s brain for an analysis or getting lost in endless stories, to just feel with the heart, with compassion, and just accept what is. Sometimes the emotions tell you their name, sometimes not. But what they all seem to need, is to be seen, or rather “felt,” in loving acceptance. Sometimes that is all it takes.

JI: Sorry, I’m not familiar with the Kingkiller Chronicle but I’ll try to answer something… For me it’s important to be able to recognize the feeling and give it a name. As if I could have a discussion with that feeling then. To listen patiently and bravely confront it. On the other hand, sometimes it’s just nice to let things flow without thinking and analyzing :)

I know that you’ve mentioned before that songs come easier to you when you’re on the road or performing. Has this recent tour or the upcoming festival shows sparked anything recently?

JI: I personally have written some ideas for Altamullan Road after the tour but I also had to jump [into] making music to our duo with Mikko [Iivanainen], so in many ways, lots of music is flowing right now.

JK: Oh for sure! My notes and external drives have been filling up with new song ideas. I've been working at my home studio recording new songs ideas and demos. There’s a new Auri album in the making and also fascinating future plans for Eye of Melian, with more music and live shows coming up in the future. I’m sure we’ll slowly work on the next Altamullan Road album as well, as we’re already off to a great start, only a few songs short of a full album. It just needs a little more time and love. But we don’t want to rush it.

Is there a specific emotion or feeling that you both find jumpstarts your creative process? Or specific weather or surroundings?

JK: That’s another interesting question. I think whatever gives us a jolt of inspiration, be it the weather, something someone says, a strong emotion, an unexpected sound, a visual incentive. I find that I really love writing lyrics whenever I’m moving, sitting in a train, car, or an airplane. And music-wise, sometimes little melodies find me in the middle of mundane chores, or whenever I just sit down and start playing the keyboards. I love letting my fingers just wander on the keys, “taking me places.”

JI: It varies a lot, but I guess I’m a very sentimental person and grief and comfort are powering feelings to me. Melancholy grey weather inspires me in a weird way. Also I need to be in a place where the silence surrounds me. Then I can hear my thoughts clearer. Often when I’m driving a car, I start coming up with phrases and melodies :)

What is it like to see your art and stories inspiring others to share their own stories or make their own art?

JI: It’s the best gift you can get to see people making their own stories and art. Art is a pure force of nature. Its ability to reflect and help to express ourselves is beyond wonderful.

JK: There is no greater magic than that. It’s as if we’re all little lighthouse keepers, or mirrors, helping each other steer through these dark mysterious seas of life. It makes me really grateful to be alive and take part in this fascinating circle of life and creativity. That thought always helps me whenever the feeling of loneliness pays me a visit. We’re all in this together. Here to remember and remind each other, lest we forget.

Art by Kathy Criswell

I noticed that quite a few people who attended your shows went two or three times. Some even more than that. Is it so cool to see that people do that?

JK: Not daring to expect anything, we were both completely taken aback by the warm welcome we received! The fact that so many people came back and saw us more than once reinforced in our hearts that we are on the right path, as we’ve of course felt all along, but music at its best is a two-way street, a highway from heart to heart, and to have had this chance to see and feel that it’s not just us who love the music we make, has certainly given us a lot of fuel to keep on going doing what we love.

JI: Oh yes, It felt amazing! It means a lot if our music reached out and touched people so much.

Johanna Iivanainen, your writing style seems to be more “here and now” -focused. Like, it touches on the senses and what to feel in the moment. Johanna Kurkela, your writing seems to be more prose-like and narrative. Do you think that, because your writing styles are so different, it makes your music mesh together that much easier?

JI: We didn’t plan anything, we just made music and somehow it clicked, even though, as you mentioned, we have our own different writing styles.  

JK: That’s an interesting point of view. Even though we certainly share a strong twin energy, we both have our own individual qualities and differences. Also, in music, we both come from somewhat different sides of the business. But, that’s what’s also enabled us to learn a lot from each other throughout the years. I think we balance each other out really well, both as writers, and as friends. We make a great team :)

You are obviously both known for your illustrious music careers, but how else do you both express your creativity?

JK: Well, apart from the obvious (music), I love to knit, work with yarns, and share my little creations at my dear little Auriwear web boutique. But really, I think it could be anything – the way one would arrange a room, cook, write emails, dress, solve a problem… there’s a myriad of opportunities for all of us to use creativity, hidden alluringly, in our daily lives.

This is less of a question and more of a statement, but as someone who has seen you a few times now, you both have such a love for each other on stage that it makes the audience feel as if they’re in a little intimate circle of music and warmth, and that is so very special. Was that intentional or does it just come naturally with you two?

JK: Thank you. That is really wonderful to hear! I’m happy that how we feel on stage comes across and can be felt also sitting in the audience. That’s exactly how I feel it to be, a little intimate circle of music and warmth shared by everybody present. It is a rare thing to find kindred spirits and a dear friends, such as Johanna. Sure, we’re all one big family in this life, breathing the same air with all of nature, but I guess, maybe it is those stories that we tell ourselves that sometimes create seemingly impenetrable wedges between people. Yet, to me, music has always had a way of erasing all that, bypassing all our layers of coding and tapping into that deep intrinsic connection that we all share. And just like true friendship, music can provide a source of immense gratitude, freedom, respect, healing, kindness, connectedness and joy. A little piece of home in this marvelously peculiar blue dot of a planet.

JI: That comes naturally. I have a huge respect for Johanna and I feel humbled to be on the stage with her. Also she’s just an absolutely lovable human being, a one-of-a-kind true friend.

In a previous interview, Johanna Iivanainen, you mentioned your cabin up north in Finland and how you found solace there a lot in the last few years. What do you both think is the best lesson you’ve learned about being in silence and tranquility?

JI: I guess what I’ve learned is that, for me, it’s very important to have a discussion with myself and remember to ask how I’m feeling. In nature, it is so natural to face everything. Like from whether changes you learn acceptance. It’s easier to face and accept feelings in nature, have them around, and let them go when it’s time. And when I’ve had my time alone, I really start noticing the longing and appreciation for my dearest people.

JK: Balance. In our modern society, we tend to appreciate doing over being, but tucked away in nature’s arms, it’s easier to remember that there is a right time and place for everything. Also for doing absolutely nothing! It’s good to sit down on the rings of Saturn every once in a while and look at things from a different perspective.

What is your favorite thing about each other?

JK: Johanna Iivanainen possesses one of my favorite female voices on this whole planet. I admire her in so many ways. She's like the big sister I never had. She's kind, empathetic, always considerate of others, and so beautifully grounded and one with nature that it's inspiring. I have a tendency to start resembling a little whirlwind whenever I get too excited, but Johanna's warm and calming energy always helps me to remember to breathe, eat, simplify, and stay connected to earth.

JI: Johanna Kurkela is magical in every way, kind and wise. I really admire her gift of how to speak and listen. She has ability to speak in beautiful and wise sentences with such wisdom and a warm heart. I feel like I’m a bit like Winnie the Pooh, who often feels like a small-brained bear. Everything can be clear in the head, but at the time words start to come out of mouth they get weird and shattered :)

You’re currently about to open for Delain in the Netherlands in Dordrecht and then have your own show a few hours away in Zwolle. That’s an interesting combination. How did that come about?

JI: Johanna can answer this one :)

JK: It was all thanks to our dear “brother in musical arms,” Martijn Westerholt from Delain and Eye of Melian, who invited us and made this all possible. We've never played abroad together before, so this will be an unforgettable adventure for all of us, for sure!

So let’s go back ten years. You both were working on “The Life and Times of Scrooge” and solo albums as well. If I were to take those Johannas from 10 years ago, with all their hopes, dreams, wants, and wishes, to an Altamullan Road show, how would they feel? Would you, Johanna Iivanainen, be so excited to make music with your best friend? Would you, Johanna Kurkela, be so proud that you have three bands that are dreams come true?

JK: It certainly would’ve been reassuring to get to catch a glimpse of that image back then. Who knows, maybe we somehow, subconsciously even did! Now, looking back, it feels like my heart always knew, this was its home, these three bands and the people in them, sharing music together, building new worlds out of love, freedom, and passion.

JI: Definitely yes, I’d be so excited and [have my] hopes up to make music with my best friend :)

Do you have anything fun planned for the rest of the year?

JI: Oh yes, lots of things are happening! I’ll be continuing to make more songs for the next Altamullan Road album and we are looking forward to our summer festival gigs. One of my bands (Smalltime Players) is releasing a debut album in September and at the moment we are also making our first duo album with my husband Mikko and we are planning our Christmas tour with him. So it’s going to be a fun and active year :) 

JK: Well, after the Netherlands, we still have three Altamullan Road gigs coming up in Finland this summer. I will start working on the new Auri and Eye of Melian, and there might even be some unprecedented yuletide action coming up this year with a very special trio. But more on that a bit later :) Hopefully we’ll get around to finishing that second Altamullan Road album soon as well. Can’t wait to embark on more adventures with this dear group!

Thank you for the interview!

Wishing happy spring days to you all!

READ MORE: Bear’s blog about the Kitee road trip to see Altamullan Road // READ MORE: Bear’s live report from the show in Kitee // READ MORE: Bear’s live report from the show in Hyvinkää // READ MORE: Kathy’s travel blog to see Altamullan Road pt.I // READ MORE: Kathy’s travel blog to see Altamullan Road pt.II // READ MORE: Kathy’s live report from seeing Altamullan Road pt.III // READ MORE: Bear’s live report from the show in Porvoo // LISTEN MORE: Bear’s interview with Altamullan Road from Hyvinkääsali