Helsinki Lambda Club – Good News Is Bad News (Swim Deep Slowcore Remix)

By starrymag | July 31, 2024

By: Malasha Parker

 

 

Q) How would you describe the music that you make as Helsinki Lambda Club?

 

A) Borderless, free music that blends various cultures and ideologies.

 

Q) Talk about your latest release “Good News Is Bad News (Swim Deep Slowcore Remix).”

 

A) We were surprised that the remix turned out to be almost a cover, but as a fan of theirs, it was a pleasant surprise. I expected the most impressive guitar riff to be the main motif, but they arranged it with the vocal melody as the axis in a slowcore style, which was very refreshing. Music is fascinating because a new perspective or interpretation can change the atmosphere so drastically.

 

Q) How did the collaboration with British indie-pop band Swim Deep come about?

 

A) Since we were planning a UK tour, we wanted to collaborate with a British artist. As simple as it sounds, we reached out to them because we had been fans for a long time. In recent years, they have also broadened their musical range and released many remixes of past songs, which made us feel a strong affinity and hope for compatibility.

 

Q) On June 19th you released another song you’ve remixed! How was it decided for releasing new remixes instead of a new album or mini-album?

 

A) There are so many elements in a single song, and looking at it from various angles can reveal new discoveries and charms. We wanted not only ourselves but also our fans to enjoy our music more deeply. And above all, it was our desire to play with music that led us to this decision.

 

Q) Do you all sit down and make a list of songs you’d like to remix and how you’d like to see them changed up?

 

A) We made a rough list of suitable songs, but ultimately, the artists themselves chose the songs. We didn’t interfere with the arrangements either because we wanted to be surprised when we listened to the songs ourselves. We have a strong desire to respect the artists’ individuality and what they want to create, especially when it comes to remixes.

 

Q) What can fans expect from the other remixes?

 

A) One of the joys of remixes is their danceability, so fans can expect to hear songs reborn into more danceable versions in our upcoming remix works.

 

Q) When writing a song, does the lyrics, harmony or production of the song come first?

 

A) There is no set path in my songwriting, so it varies. However, when I intentionally sit down to create, I often start by playing the guitar and looking for a melody that fits my mood or thoughts at that time.

 

Q) Your music paints beautiful images for listeners. The lyrics “Overlapping your unsolvable thoughts, Our conversations are off the marks, But I’ll never forget the moon reflecting off your eyes” is an example of that. How does the cover art depict the singles and albums so well?

 

A) Thank you! When creating songs, I often visualize scenes like in a movie, so I think visual imagery is important. While the cover art doesn’t always directly link to the scenes or imagery in the songs, it often reflects the underlying mindset of the music.

 

Q) Your 10-year anniversary passed in 2023. Congratulations! What has being in a group for 10 years taught each of you about yourselves and each other?

 

A) This may sound like a cliché, but I believe that without respect for all people involved, it can’t last. Creating music, delivering it to people and selling it involves many business aspects that we need to handle. Overtime we have been able to deepen our understanding of what we can and cannot do personally, and what we are suited for or not suited for. Moving forward, I hope for us to leverage our individuality while working together with others.

 

Q) What kind of music exploration will you take with your future releases?

 

A) Actually, we intended to create a more cohesive dance album for the next release, but it will end up turning out to be more than just that, as it is packed with what we want to do at the moment. I believe it will be a work that integrates various genres, allowing listeners to be surprised and entertained.

 

Q) How do you all shake off a long day of being in the studio?

 

A) Personally, I’m not very good at completely refreshing myself, but I often go for walks or visit temples. Even during walks, I end up jotting down lyrics that come to mind. However, Japan has many wonderful temples, so I visit them to calm my mind, even during tours.

 

Q) You recently played SXSW live and some tour dates in the UK. What are some of your favorite HLC songs to play live?

 

A) “Season of Harvest and Plunder” has become quite a staple in our live performances, and playing it is always enjoyable. But when we performed “Horse Candy” in London recently, we were pleasantly surprised by people singing at the intro guitar riff. It made us feel the British culture, it was very exciting. I hope we get such reactions in Japan as well.

 

Q) Who would you like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) It would be extremely exciting to create a song with Steve Lacy. Within the British artists, I would love to work with bands like Flamingods or United Freedom Collective, who have a psychedelic base but also explore freedom in various aspects.

 

Q) What would you like to say to the fans and supporters of you and your music?

 

A) If we can continue making music as our job, it is thanks to our listeners and for that we are always grateful. While the music we create isn’t high art but rather entertainment, I hope that through this entertainment, we can discover important aspects of life beyond just enjoyment, and learn and grow together.