Thursday, March 6, 2014

SA:On the road:Latin-America 15th anniversary part 1

Monday 3.3.2014-Travel Day
The great thing about living out in the woods is of course the connecting flights or actually the
lack of them, so we flew to Helsinki in the evening and spent the time there watching Pasi sign
1000 singles (we, the Kemi guys did it at home and Elias managed to do that as well). So, he signed 
the Cloud Factory single as well as the 3rd single from which there will be a video as well :-) …
like a real music video. Anyways, a few beer and Tommy & I started to watch the Sons of Anarchy series from the beginning….again…

Tuesday 4.3.2014-Travel Day
…after the inevitable passing out while watching the SoA, I woke up at 0427. Just like that, you ask ? And the answer would be Hell NO ! I set my alarm to 0430 and asked Pasi to call me when he was ready for the early breakfast at the hotel. Did indeed drag myself downstairs, ate some and then picked up my luggage from the room for the 0500 lobby call (for those of you who don’t know the lingo, lobby call means that at that time everyone, including yours truly has to be in the lobby of the hotel at that time). At the airport I managed to fuck up, meaning that when I drove my trolley on to the escalator somehow I got it all wrong an all my stuff and a couple of racks ( I think it was Elias amp) were shattered all around.After I quit laughing my ass of about my accident, I got the stuff together and we could do the check-in, the drink and board the aircraft (trying to avoid the plane world here, don’t know why ) for our flight to my favourite place in the whole wide world, the Frankfurt airport.

How do you think I spend the time at my favourite place, especially when there’s about 5 hours to 
kill before the nice 12+ hour flight to Mexico City ? Anyways the flight was as boring as usual, drinks
dinner,sleep...the basic stuff.

…and of course we missed the connecting flight to Monterrey, meaning an extra night at the Mexico City airport. Had some drinks (a lot actually) , slept a few hours and then it was time to leave.

Wednesday 5.3.2014-Monterrey,Mexico
A short flight, some 20min by car and we’re at our hotel. The crew went directly to the venue to set things up and I had a late lunch with Pasi,Tony & Tommy. Our hotel got upgraded to the Sheraton so we’ll be having a nice time, at least the few hours that we get to spend in our rooms. Tomorrow we have to fly to Chihuahua and play a show there and Friday is also more of the same, with flying in in the morning and playing at night.

At around 1800 we went to the venue and did the soundcheck. It’s always a bit nervous when starting the tour after a break, and especially with the jetlag kickin in and all, we had to work quite hard to make it work. Nevertheless we got through the show with only some minor issues. Tony forgot to introduce Pasi our new bass player and at the beginning of Kindom for a heart I forgot the number of the sound that the song start with so I missed the intro, trying to figure it out. Sometimes your mind just go blank at the most inconvenient time. Apart from that and the fact that the stage sound was very difficult (the subwoofers were located below the stage so it was pretty crazy to play) the show was ok I think. Not a perfect 10 but a solid effort and a starting point for us to build on. I’m sure tomorrow will be even better.

Thursday 6.3.2014-Travel Day + Chihuahua, Mexico
Got to the hotel just before 0100 at night with the possibility to sleep for a few hours. Since the lobby call was set at 0615, there wasn’t too much time so I headed straight to bed. In the morning I managed to skype home for a bit and even eat a bit of breakfast before leaving. Poor Pasi was misinformed about when we were supposed to leave so he got downstairs about 45 min too early. Well, at least he had time to enjoy the breakfast in peace. Off to the airport, check-in and then the flight to Chihuahua. I did an interview per e-mail in the plane, which was the most exciting thing during the whole flight ;-)


We might change some things with the setlist but I’m not sure yet. Our second single from Pariah’s Child is out so maybe we should give that one a try. These first three shows we’ll probably keep the setlist we have at the moment, just to get started and kill the jetlag and make everything work. Btw this it of course the first time in Latin America for Pasi but also for two of our crewmembers. Pekka our drumtech and Joonas who’s doing the stage sound on this tour. So far everything has gone well, but we’ll see in a week or so when the lack of sleep and brutal schedule starts to take its toll on people :-)

Anyways, time to take a nap.
cheers,
Henkka



29 comments:

  1. We have kind of a running joke that Pasi never sleeps because he seems to be constantly working, so we'll see how long THAT lasts with the schedule you told me you guys have :D How is he liking the Latin audiences? Bit different from Finland, huh? ;)

    Have fun and sleep as much as you can!

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    1. He's smiling as usual, so I think he's having the time of his life....actually I know he is ;-)

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  2. Hi, Henkka!
    I'm so happy you're getting closer every day :D.

    I was wondering: is there a reason why you leave Argentina at the end of the tours? I mean, SGHN Tour finished in Buenos Aires and this tour "ends" in Río Negro before you go to The Netherlands to continue with 15th anniversary. I guess it's a flights thing...
    Anyway! good to have you writing againg, missed you!
    See you soon! :D

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    1. I really don't know but it seems that every time we get an offer for a tour over here it ends in the South :-)

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    2. You finish in Argentina 'cause we are awesome ... haha just a joke. See you on 22/3.

      Pd: I don't knoe if you knew, but the show in Argentina is sold out

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    3. Yeah I know, great job guys !

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  3. I want to see you soon ... I loved his two singles. I hope you have lots of fun on this tour. Not every day marks 15 years of marriage Haha .. good luck! I see them in Argentina.
    Pd. I have saved them several bottles of vodka ♥

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  4. Anxious and excited to see you guys in Brasilia and Sao Paulo!!
    Have a great time and fun during this tour!!!

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  5. I wasn't expecting another video for this new album so soon! Awesome!

    About the setlist spoilers, I am trying to avoid it. When you know about every single song of the band I think it's pointless to spoil the surprise factor. But it's no problem, and you said the setlist may change so never know what to expect. Any set of songs will be great, as long as it's long haha!

    See you in Brasilia and Sao Paulo!

    Cheers!

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  6. Hi Henkka, just a fool question, is tony still filming the tours ? or any of you guys ? i mean like Stones Grow Her Name in the last year on youtube, walkthrough on countrys ? is happening with the 15th anniversary tour ?

    Sorry for bad english, and see you soon in São Paulo :-)
    I love you all ♥ have fun & cheers

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    1. Yeah, Tony is still filming....I'm not sure when he's gonna get the time to edit the stuff...there might even be some footage from the SGHN tour which isn't out yet....

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    2. I imagine the last months of that tour might be weird/hard to rewatch...but selfishly speaking, it'd be nice to see a last glimpse of Make. Kinda like a time capsule...

      And of course it'd also be super lovely to see more Pasi behind the scenes!

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  7. I would be really really happy if you decide play Cloud Factory but I'll be happy with any song jaja I want to see you!

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  8. I just love what you're doing here :)
    Good to hear that there's still some filming going on. Doesn't matter when Tony will have the time to edit, we'll wait patiently :D
    Don't worry about minor mistakes, shit happens I guess and your fans still love you, haha!
    When you're touring through Germany, would there be any chance to meet you guys before or after a show? Just 'cause I'm curious ;) Could bring some (German!) beer (did you ever drink Altbier from Dusseldorf?) or vodka or whatever you'd like. Can even bake some mean cake, but as you don't like cake I guess that wouldn't lure you out.

    Keep on being awesome and having fun! And be nice to the new guy... or don't ;)

    Cheers!

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    1. If we have the time, we usually hang out around the bus before we leave after the shows on tours in the US/Can & Europe. So that would be your best chance of catching us...vodka or not ;-)

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    2. Thanks for the reply, I'll definitely give it a try! :)
      Have been looking up the Matrix in Bochum (that's where I'll be seeing you lml and I've never been there before) and almost everyone says it's shit for concerts, because the acoustics are really awful :-/ Hope your "technichizhians" can do some magic there.
      Nevermind, I'll still enjoy it, because it's Sonata.

      Another question. Might Elias' wolf be looking for a little playmate? ;)

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    3. I have no idea what Wolf is up to...

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  9. Hey, Henkka. I hope you are less jetlagged and things are working better. Anyway, I bet you guys are doing great on stage even with minor problems here and there. How is Wolves Die Young working out live? Are you happy about how it sounds? Hope so. See you in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

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    1. I think it's working out great but of course what I hear and what the audience hear is totally different so it's more or less up to you guys to decide if it works or not...

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  10. So none of the racks got any damage? x) And what about that carrousel in Chihuahua :P Hope you guys are having a good time, we'll see you soon !
    PS: Remember that i'll bring that sign to the show in Chile so you can give me the thumbs

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    1. Our racks are working fine at the moment so let's keep our fingers crossed and our beers cold !!

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  11. Henkka!!!
    this is gonna be my 3rd concert! I'm so excited about it, and also a little bit anxious cos' I wanna meet you people! :D Hope this time I can make it.

    But I just write cos I was wondering what happened with those mails that the fans wrote and sent to a SA e-mail. Did Tony use them to write some songs??? I'd like to know what finally happen with that, what were those stories for??

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    1. It was not for Tony's songwriting...we're working with a company on something really cool but unfortunately this takes a lot of time. Anyone who's story will be used will be contacted regarding that, I'm truly sorry that I'm not allowed to reveal more about it...

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    2. Ok, no problem, but it's good to know that you people are working on that. It would be nice if mine is choosen :D thanks for answering

      Cheers!!! See you on March 21st!!

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  12. I can't wait to see you!! I'll travel 12 hours just for you guys!! See you in Bogotá-Colombia! and I hope to have the chance to meet you and give my gift!! :-D

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  13. Try to get sleep and rest when you can! And don´t mind some minor mistakes, we fans won´t mind. You´re not machines but human beings who can get tired and we understand it <3 I´m so excited to hear there´s another video coming of the third single! Yay! The other two have been amazing :) I can only imagine how thrilled Pasi must be, his first tour with Sonata and all those audiences who might be... "slightly" more lively than a typical super excited Finnish audience ;) Lots of love from Finland <3

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  14. Ha, got it! I know why Elias brought the Wolf! He is taking the BRING THE WOLF BACK seriously and brought it back to Latin America... LOL!!!

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  15. First show in Monterrey was amazing. truly amazing. of course as you point there were some issues, and for the fact pasi wasnt introduced think wasnt a problem by the face he had through all the show n.n unbelieveable.good luck guys. keep the effort doing amazing music. enjoy all your trips through LA and get back to fin with a great smile on ya face ;)

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  16. I was one of the two guys at the Sheraton hotel when you arrived, thx for signing my cd's and also for be so cool.

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