The Rasmus (Credit: Venla Shalin)
The Rasmus have never been afraid of the dark. Three decades in, Lauri Ylönen is still pulling beauty from the shadows, and their new LP Weirdo might be their boldest work yet. Fueled by a heavier sound and a defiant spirit, it’s a call to arms for the outsiders and misfits who’ve been with them since day one. Lauri talks to Jason Barnard to prove that weird doesn’t mean weak, it means unstoppable.
You’ve said Weirdo celebrates outsiders. You’ve also spoken about being called a misfit when you were younger. At what point did you start to see those words as a source of strength rather than an insult?
It got clear to me when I started making new friends at junior high. That’s when I met guys like myself, who had similar style and views of the world. The feeling being part of something and having our gang of weirdos felt powerful. That when I also met with band guys and we started The Rasmus.
Songs like ‘Break These Chains’ and ‘Love Is A Bitch’ confront toxic love and obsession. Do you see these as autobiographical, or more as universal stories?
Both. I have been in bad relationships and witnessed my friend having such. Sometimes you just wanna hang on to something that will destroy you.
Much of the album was written and produced with Desmond Child and Marti Frederiksen in Greece, and later recorded in Nashville. How did those very different settings influence the music?
Sure they have. But we are used to work internationally. Still our roots and musical DNA is strongly Finnish and nordic.
What has working with Desmond and Marti, given their background, taught you about songcraft?
A lot! Especially Desmond has a huge role on my life. I’ve known him since 2007 and written continuosly with him ever since. He’s taught me so much about writing but also other things outside of music. He has been a mentor and a coach when I’ve had truggles in life. Someone said, he’s Gandalf and we’re the Hobbits! 🙂
Weirdo blends the darker atmospheres people expect from The Rasmus with anthemic music. Was that a conscious balancing act?
I had a feeling that we should go harder musically and I’ve been steering us into that world. It excites me and feels tempting and unknown. Times are also rough and our is in a bad shape right now. Heavier sound fits and feels natural.
You’re embarking on a huge European tour. How do you keep that intimacy alive in bigger venues when thousands of people are watching?
On tour we spend our free time exploring these cities and getting influenced be local people and traditions. That gives us a way to connect better with our audience on stage.
What do you think has been the secret to The Rasmus staying together through so many years and changes in the music industry?
It’s all about a good friendship. This whole thing started as a hobby and treating it that way keeps it light and fun. We met at school three decided ago and stepped inside ”Rasmus bubble”. We are passionate about music.
What’s the most memorable encounter you’ve ever had with a fan who identified as a ‘weirdo’?
Last weekend I sang ‘Weirdo’ to a person in the front row who I had met earlier in the day. She shared her heart breaking life story with me. It was very emotional.
And finally, if you had to pick one track from Weirdo that best sums up who The Rasmus are today, which would it be?
My favorite is ‘Break these chains’. It has a very strong Rasmus characteristics but it sound fresh, modern and angry.
