What is Above & Beyond working on
right now? What can we expect from
you in 2017?
Paavo: We’re currently writing songs for
our new electronic album that we’re hoping
to finish this year. So it’ll be an interesting
year for us, starting to test drive a lot of new
material, while taking regular breaks from
touring to ensure we have enough energy to
get stuff done at our studios too.
How did you end calling yourselves
Above & Beyond?
Paavo: “Above and Beyond” was a slogan used
by an inspirational American speaker who,
believe it or not, was also named Jono Grant.
You have been regular visitors to India.
Could you tell us which Indian show has
been your most memorable?
Paavo: Definitely when we came to Bangalore
to change our radio show name and to
start Group Therapy radio. That night at
Jayamahal Palace was something I’ll never
forget!
What do you do outside of music that
contributes to your musical output?
Do you have a hobby that you turn to
rejuvenate yourself?
Paavo: I love photography, taking pictures -
especially when you take out some time and
you see pictures from some years ago, there’s
something magical about it all.
What drew you to music in the first
place?
Paavo: I come from a musical family
and everyone around me was playing an
instrument. My dad was singing in choirs and
my granddad was writing poems. I grew up
thinking I need a ‘real job’ but realised music
was and always would be my true love when I
went to a music high school.
The internet has changed the way
people make and consume music. Is
there effect that you aren’t too fond of?
Do you think social media has brought
you closer to fans but also made you
more susceptible to trolls?
Tony: Thanks to Paavo’s tech skills we had a
vibrant web forum right from the start, where
we encouraged our fans to communicate and
connect, and even criticize. So we were in
front of the social media explosion. Over the
years that forum-based community has ported
over to Facebook, Twitter and Reddit, but
essentially nothing has changed for us. We’ve
always been about three-way communication,
us to our fans, them to us and them to each
other. Now our “Anjunafamily” runs into
millions, but our relationship with them is
the same as it was with a few hundred back in
2002.
Are there any Indian artists that you’d
like to collaborate with?
Tony: We have collaborated with a band from
Bangalore called Lagori who’ve recorded
Indian version of our songs “Sun & Moon” and
“We’re All We Need” which you can watch on
You Tube. They re-wrote the verses in both
cases but used the choruses from the English
versions.
Who is Above & Beyond listening to?
Can you recommend some new artists
for us to check out?
Paavo: I’m a big Lana del Rey fan - and if you
haven’t yet heard Yotto’s music - definitely
check him out.
A message for your Indian fans.
Tony: I find the people of India inspirational.
Conversations with Indian people are always
calm, considered and thought-provoking,
which is how discussions should always
be. Guru is an Indian word, after all! For us
in the UK, India feels a lot closer than it is
geographically because so many lovely Indian
people have made their home in the UK and
have given us our national dish, chicken tikka
masala! Add to that our links to Anjuna and
we felt strong bonds with your country long
before we ever went there as a band. But since
2007 (our Indian debut in Goa) we’ve been
experiencing the love first hand and it was an
easy decision to pick Bangalore to launch our
Group Therapy Radio show four years ago.
So, I’d like to say thanks for the love, thanks
for being such an example to the world of how
to live in a diverse country with respect and
love and thanks for all you have taught us and
given us since we started.
The
Score Magazine
highonscore.com
19