Forwardman is an electro-rock music act crafted by singer-songwriter Sakari Viittala. The sound of Forwardman combines hungry guitars, thirsty synth sounds, starving bass lines, soulful vocal melodies and gutsy drumbeats. Influences are a thousand and one. If Neil Young and Flying Lotus are at the opposite shores of the ocean, then Forwardman is the bridge in between.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Forwardman about his latest project (New Tomorrow), motivations, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create?
SV: I don’t really want to name one place where I’m from, I’ve been moving around a lot and I feel like a citizen of the world, as corny as that may or may not sound. It´s always difficult to describe your own music style, as there is a lot of things I want my music to contain. But if I´m gonna mention just one of the things that I value in music in general, I suppose it´s the physical reaction the music causes in the listener. To me, a song is something that should either make you want to get up on your feet and do stuff, or make you lift your hands up in the air, shake your hips a little or just make your heart skip a beat, you know. If you’re just listening to something and lying on yer arse on yer sofa with no desire to start moving around the room, or without feeling much, then you know the music is no good.
What led you down this path of music?
SV: Expressing myself trough music was something I always had an interest for, as long as I can remember. As a kid I was always singing along with the tunes I heard from the radio and among my favourite things was to listen my mum’s cassette tapes. She didn’t have a great taste in music but she did have Springsteen’s Born In The U.S.A -tape, which to this day I think is a great record. I remember writing my first songs in the second grade, when I was eight. I was singing them during recess in the school one time, and then the next day one of the kids came to me asking: “What was that song you were singing yesterday? Can you sing that again?” It was a song about Hitler. An instant classic:) I picked up guitar quite late, when I was twelve, out of jealousy to other kids who were already playing so much better than I was, obviously. I wrote two songs before I learned my first chord.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
SV: The new LP sounds quite different from my previous releases. This one is retro-electro, not a lot of guitars but more synthwave. A lot of this change comes down to working with new producers (Inkilä Brothers) who were able to convert the visions I had in my mind, whether it was a specific snare-sound or the nightly singing of tropical birds, into music. And they were not only able to do that but actually added to my visions and offered their own. But then again I think the fundamental elements in my music haven’t really changed. I found myself still capable of writing upbeat stuff with the element of surprise, as well as some softer, more easier-to-approach songs.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this over-saturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
SV: I think any indie musician faces a challenge to get their stuff heard, and yes, technology is there to help you. Once you figure out where you need to push it, streaming services can provide you the data. It´s funny to know how many people listened to you in Middle Tennessee last week.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
SV: Spotify seems to be the place where people are discovering Forwardman the most, so get in there, don’t be shy.
Anything else before we sign off?
SV: I better let the music do the rest of the talking.
https://open.spotify.com/album/4ozP5bUfGw9on0acvqGk59
