FEATURE: Backstage with – HIM

When you play music that is dripping with melancholic charm and brooding sensibilities, you need a frontman that embodies the style.

HIM’s Ville Valo is the charismatic. The articulate. The assured.

The Finnish singer may appear mysterious on stage but off it he is both affable and friendly.

The pioneers of contemporary “love metal” again enjoyed a well-received Australian visit – with a second stint on Soundwave – when we caught up with the band.

Backstage in Melbourne, Valo is his typically relaxed self. Jacket on. Cigarette in hand and beer on the table.

The singer has assimilated to Australian life over the band’s various touring cycles down under over the years, with Valo sure to endear with his observations of local beer.

“VB is the classic – it’s easy to remember and I do enjoy it. I like my lager to be brutally honest, nothing fancy.”

“When you travel a lot everything keeps on changing, you want some variables that don’t change. Beer is a great testament to that.”

“When you order a VB you know what you’re going to get. That’s the safety blanket that I have. The liquid safety blanket – VB,” Valo says.

It’s a far cry from the Scandinavian climate of Finland, however Valo is quick to point out the parallels between the Australian summer and that of his hometown, Helsinki.

“It [the Australian weather] reminds me of home during the summer. This is pretty close to Helsinki. It [Helsinki] is chilly and windy yes, but still sunny.”

As we attempt to gauge the psyche of a band that has relished a career that has deservedly spanned over two decades, Valo presents a very tranquil summary of pre-show ritual.

“Our most demanding thing in our backstage rider was [having] a chess champion. We used to play chess with local ‘chess-heads’, so that’s pretty un-rock ‘n’ roll,” Valo laughs.

However, as the vocalist further explains, it’s about having a change of pace from a profession and lifestyle that is often governed and equally restrained by the genre itself.

“I think it’s important to do something left of centre and something very different. If you just hang in rock bars, if you just play rock ‘n’ roll and listen to rock ‘n’ roll, and wear rock ‘n’ roll, and drink rock ‘n’ roll, at some point it just doesn’t go anywhere.”

Valo is appreciative and amazed when reflecting on the enormity of Soundwave and its logistics.

“The variety of music is amazing. I don’t know how anyone can organise it so well. It does go without hitch…or at least, I don’t see it [if it doesn’t]. The organisation is amazing.”

It’s a relatable and humble narrative. In reference to his career as a musician, Valo provides two key considerations. Author Stephen King wisely suggests in his memoir ‘On Writing’, “to be a good writer, you need to be a good reader.” Valo believes success involves being a fan of music first and foremost.

“If you want to be a musician you need to be a fan of music. We’re still fans. You have to be excited and buy the [band] shirt, and get the extra digital edition of vinyl.”

Secondly, the emphasis is about taking your craft seriously, but allowing yourself to have fun all the same.

“I think it’s important to have that knucklehead, meathead, balls to the wall, rock ‘n’ roll, sweat it out and drink VB type of vibe. At the same time as trying to get better at what you do. It’s a fine line; you’re dancing on a razor’s edge. But, it can be a funny journey and a memorable one – at least for us,” Valo says.

For all the sentiment and perhaps peoples attempts to over-complicate music, Valo is fundamental in conclusion.

“At the end of the day, the mission is to play the gig.”