Pihka Is My Name is a Finland-based duo who combine analogue synthesizers, hypnotic piano patterns and crunchy drum machines. 'Reaching for The Out of Range' is the first single of their upcoming sophomore album, to be released in September 2023. With this energetic track the band introduces a punchier and more analogue sound. They have always gone beyond basic synth knob twiddling, but this time they also exhibit a fresh pop sensibility, vocal harmonies and deep lyrics.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hello Pihka Is My Name. What first got you into music?
Lasse: I’ve been to arts since I was a child. I started with drawing cartoons, then went to theater (which I’ve got proper education for) and then switched to music. I feel like music is the art form I’m most proficient with, and where I can express myself the best.
Henna: Music has always been a significant part of my everyday life since my whole family are musicians. I grew up playing piano and started making my own pieces quite soon as well. I have never truly considered a profession not related to music.
What do you think your role is in this world?
Henna: As a band I think that our role is to make music that moves something in ourselves. If our music moves something in us, it can have the same effect in others. That creates emotions, thoughts and communication. So our role is to communicate.
Your latest track is 'Reaching for The Out of Range'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
Lasse: We had an almost readymade album in mid-2022. But the mood wasn’t right. Those songs were angry in a bitter way. It’s okay to be angry, but not bitter. Being angry makes you move forward, being bitter makes you stay still. We always need to be moving forward.
Henna: So we started over. We shelved the old album and started anew. ‘Reaching’ is one of those new songs, it’s got a positive undertone and we love it.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Henna: Same track can make you dance one day and cry on the other. Feel free to have your own reactions and feelings to our songs, even if they’re different to someone else’s. We also like to think that the lyrics can have different meanings, there’s never only one right interpretation.
How do you spend your time?
Lasse: In and out of the studio, music-sleep-music-sleep! But seriously, I also like to play PC/Switch games and going to the gym.
Henna: When not at the studio, I’m probably playing football which I also take very passionately.
What are you most proud of?
Lasse: I’ve been able to sustain myself with music and arts for almost 20 years. It’s not always an easy life, but worth it. The album we’re working on now is my 15th long-play.
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
Lasse: I’d love to open for one of John Frusciante’s electronic solo shows. I’m a big fan of his vibe.
Henna: Röyksopp or Rival Consoles.
What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as an artist?
Lasse: Never stay still, keep learning new stuff. Seriously, with every song there has to be something new I’ve learned. Some technique, some chord progression, some sound-design trick, whatever. I won’t ever get excited by repeating myself.
Henna: Keeping ourselves a bit in trouble all the time. Especially while playing live. Through happy accidents we find the best new directions and ideas. Also learning to let go when something doesn’t feel right.
Do you think that technology is improving lives?
Lasse: Yes, definitely.
Henna: When it is not being used to solve problems that didn’t exist in the first place.
What are your plans for the future?
Henna: Right now we are finishing the sophomore Pihka Is My Name album, to be released later this year. We already have various new ideas that we’d like to try when the album is done and we have a clean slate.
Lasse: We’ve also got some remixes on the way, and we’re working on making our live set as good as it can be. But first, we finish the new record.