Interview with Strobo

Published in:	Sledge Hammer #13e
Interviewed by:	Ben of Absolute!
Date:	July 1994

Interview

Another musician from Finland. To the names of Dizzy, Groo, DeLorean, HeatBeat and Bruno, comes a name which became famous in the previous year, and is going strong in '94 also. You have heard his mag musics, read his Times, and now read an interview with Strobo of Stellar and get to know a lot more about him!

	
		Sledge Hammer:
		First of all, welcome to Sledge Hammer's pages Strobo! I wanted to make an interview with you since I got your music for the previous issue. I think it was not only me who liked that tune. By the way, have you ever been interviewed?
	
	
		Strobo:
		Yes, once. In ECC party last summer, for Propaganda.
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		I see. Please tell me your name, age and the usual informations, what everybody would like to know first.
	
	
		Strobo:
		Real name is Niko, Niko Nyman (id.code#1503). If this issue will really be released on the 12th of March then it will be only three days 'till I'm eighteen. About 13cm long hair(?), middle brown. About 3cm wide, almost grey eyes. About 181 cm tall body. I 'study' in an artschool, and I am on the second year of three. It's certainly not going well...
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		Do you think that age is an important thing in the scene. Do you respect mainly people from your age?
	
	
		Strobo:
		I respect talented people. Of course, if I was contacted by a not so talented guy with fascinating personality I won't refuse swapping, to take this as an example. Age is not a meter for one's personality.
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		Have you ever faced with the studying- computing problem, or you always had the time for both things?
	
	
		Strobo:
		I always have time for my computer when I have to study. Sometimes it's frustrating, because I have no ideas to carry out with my Amiga and I certainly am not going to study either. So I sit in front of my computer and do nothing. But usually I have no studying-computing problems at all, because my studying is unexisting. I just study enough to get pass the classes - in Finland it means doing nothing.
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		You became quite famous lately, you have also entered several charts with your unique style. What's your main point when you compose?
	
	
		Strobo:
		My main point is no point. To be honest, one of my main points is, that I do not delete anything. I've got about 10 megs of unfinished tunes on disks and harddisk. Then, I have very low self-critic. I consider modules finished very much faster than many other composers do. So I've got 47 disks of finished modules.
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		Are you more active lately or you have always composed such a big amount of tunes?
	
	
		Strobo:
		In fact, I am lazier than ever... or if I think more of this question, my laziest period was in the beginning of last year. Now I do not do so much work on Amiga because I've got some job in the area of 'real' music. The most active period for me was the summer and autumn '92. The tunes I made then are the ones I'd like to release. For the real music I've done I could mention a couple of remixes done for some Finnish singers/bands. Then I've got some music to do for the Commodore CD32 console. I do the game musics in co-operation with some other scene guys.. who own the sound equipment. Myself I own a Roland D-5 and Korg Wavestation A/d.
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		Why don't you release a music disk? Or should I ask the coders of Stellar instead of you?
	
	
		Strobo:
		I am just the right person to ask why it is still coming SOON. Because I am the one to do the graphics and design besides the musics. And as I have not finished the graphics, our lazy coders haven't had even a chance to delay it. But I can promise it will be very userfriendly musicdisk. You don't even have to rip the tunes, they will be just packed on disk (SOON). The musicdisk will be coded with AsmOne instead of AMOS, and by Moonshine instead of Procyon.
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		How do you get the inspiration? From non-computer musicians (bands) or it just comes (after some booze)?
	
	
		Strobo:
		First of all, I am not a person to booze so much (Stellar - milk energy!). Lately there have been some occasions where I haven't been able to resist the pressure of surrounding persons, which has led me to booze a little. I don't know where my inspiration comes. When I started to make Amiga music, my inspiration came from other Amiga-musicians. Then it came from non-computer musicians, and now I'm making just something...
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		A last question about music-making: Do you agree with those who do not justify samples-stealing, or you'd give a chance to those who haven't got synthesizer?
	
	
		Strobo:
		I would really get angry if someone stole samples from one of my unfinished tunes, but for me it's OK to rip samples. I've done it very much myself. I still use ripped samples, especially drums. You can't hear it because they're mixed up so much.. :)
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		Well, now I'd continue asking you about the scene and your relationship with the scene. First do you think that scene-friends and normal friends are different?
	
	
		Strobo:
		Many scene-friends live in foreign countries. You know, that makes a difference. And to consider my contacts, I think I have a very open conversation with them.
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		The guy, who lives next to you and you played with in the kindergarden must be a closer friend than any scene-freak, don't you think?
	
	
		Strobo:
		I remember very clearly only one of the friends I had in kindergarden. And I haven't seen him for 10 years. That's mainly because we moved from the centrum of Helsinki to the suburb when I was 6 years old. The closest friends I have I've known only for a couple of years. To mention one of the closest, his name is Hara and his the Stellar animal.
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		I understand. Who could you call real friends in the scene? (please not gtx-list!) And why? For example do you know Heatbeat?
	
	
		Strobo:
		I call friends The Stellar Family (in full colour). I'm not going to mention all those Finnish guys I know and consider as friends. Schmoovy-Schmoov is one of the foreign guys I'd really like to call a friend.. I've met Heatbeat only twice. First time at the CNCD Fanta Party where he meditated and the second time at the Assembly'93 where I conversated with him a bit. Seemed to be a nice dude.
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		Are you all close friends in Stellar?
	
	
		Strobo:
		One thing which makes things difficult are the (no more) so high phonecosts. I can speak only for myself, but at least I try to be in contact with everyone in Stellar. Nobody's complaining. Myself I think we have a very good 'team-spirit'. The Stellar Family!
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		What does Stellar mean, and when was Stellar founded?
	
	
		Strobo:
		To me Stellar means nothing, of course only as a word. Stellar was founded in the end of '91 and The First Intro was released in April'92. The 18th or 19th intro is coming SOON!
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		Stellar is known because of its intros. Do you like this image or would you like to change it?
	
	
		Strobo:
		I think it's not a bad image at all. Of course a few demos wouldn't be a pain.
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		Have you got any offers from bigger groups both individually you or the whole Stellar to join?
	
	
		Strobo:
		Individually: Skid Row, Scoopex and Sonic. Seems like I'm really a respected musician! :) The whole Stellar has been asked several times to join other groups, but this family refuses. Always.
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		Is fame important for you? What's your most important thing what you get from the scene (why are you in the scene?)
	
	
		Strobo:
		Fame is not important for me. I'm more into getting fame in the area of real music. I think scene is the best hobby you can have. Hundreds of new personalities to get to know! I make music and graphics just because at times I do not want to get bored.
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		Thank you! After all that scene oriented topics I'd like to continue with asking you about real life.
	
	
		Strobo:
		Just go on.
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		Where do you live in Finland?
	
	
		Strobo:
		I live in the capital city of Finland, Helsinki. In a suburb called Puistola.
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		How is that place? How do you like to Party? Is there many possibilities?
	
	
		Strobo:
		This place is quite peaceful. I live in a big wooden house with my parents and some other people. This is a strange way of living indeed... Here in this house live 11 persons and we all have common kitchen and dining room and so on. Don't know what's this form of living called in english, but I hope you readers got it. I do not party very much, mainly because we do not have many parties here and I do not hang out in night clubs or restaurants. Or raves..
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		Are Finnish people different than others? I'm interested especially in girls...
	
	
		Strobo:
		We always thought that you were interested in boys! :) From my point of view (and not only my!) Finnish people are not so open than others. Girls talk and talk and talk, but mostly they talk about the boozing last friday. It's often very hard to get to talk something serious with them. Of course not all girls are like that, especially in my school there are many who are just the opposite.
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		Have you heard that Finns and Hungarians are relatives?
	
	
		Strobo:
		Yes. Have you heard that humans and apes are relatives? :)
	
	
		Sledge Hammer:
		All the best for you and all Stellar members, special thanks for Dalmak for his help.
	
	
		Strobo:
		Special thanks for Dalmak for some good jokes and bad english. Thanks also to Ben and all the Sledge Hammer crew for choosing my tune for the last issue of the magazine. For me that's all!

Sledge Hammer:	First of all, welcome to Sledge Hammer's pages Strobo! I wanted to make an interview with you since I got your music for the previous issue. I think it was not only me who liked that tune. By the way, have you ever been interviewed?
Strobo:	Yes, once. In ECC party last summer, for Propaganda.
Sledge Hammer:	I see. Please tell me your name, age and the usual informations, what everybody would like to know first.
Strobo:	Real name is Niko, Niko Nyman (id.code#1503). If this issue will really be released on the 12th of March then it will be only three days 'till I'm eighteen. About 13cm long hair(?), middle brown. About 3cm wide, almost grey eyes. About 181 cm tall body. I 'study' in an artschool, and I am on the second year of three. It's certainly not going well...
Sledge Hammer:	Do you think that age is an important thing in the scene. Do you respect mainly people from your age?
Strobo:	I respect talented people. Of course, if I was contacted by a not so talented guy with fascinating personality I won't refuse swapping, to take this as an example. Age is not a meter for one's personality.
Sledge Hammer:	Have you ever faced with the studying- computing problem, or you always had the time for both things?
Strobo:	I always have time for my computer when I have to study. Sometimes it's frustrating, because I have no ideas to carry out with my Amiga and I certainly am not going to study either. So I sit in front of my computer and do nothing. But usually I have no studying-computing problems at all, because my studying is unexisting. I just study enough to get pass the classes - in Finland it means doing nothing.
Sledge Hammer:	You became quite famous lately, you have also entered several charts with your unique style. What's your main point when you compose?
Strobo:	My main point is no point. To be honest, one of my main points is, that I do not delete anything. I've got about 10 megs of unfinished tunes on disks and harddisk. Then, I have very low self-critic. I consider modules finished very much faster than many other composers do. So I've got 47 disks of finished modules.
Sledge Hammer:	Are you more active lately or you have always composed such a big amount of tunes?
Strobo:	In fact, I am lazier than ever... or if I think more of this question, my laziest period was in the beginning of last year. Now I do not do so much work on Amiga because I've got some job in the area of 'real' music. The most active period for me was the summer and autumn '92. The tunes I made then are the ones I'd like to release. For the real music I've done I could mention a couple of remixes done for some Finnish singers/bands. Then I've got some music to do for the Commodore CD32 console. I do the game musics in co-operation with some other scene guys.. who own the sound equipment. Myself I own a Roland D-5 and Korg Wavestation A/d.
Sledge Hammer:	Why don't you release a music disk? Or should I ask the coders of Stellar instead of you?
Strobo:	I am just the right person to ask why it is still coming SOON. Because I am the one to do the graphics and design besides the musics. And as I have not finished the graphics, our lazy coders haven't had even a chance to delay it. But I can promise it will be very userfriendly musicdisk. You don't even have to rip the tunes, they will be just packed on disk (SOON). The musicdisk will be coded with AsmOne instead of AMOS, and by Moonshine instead of Procyon.
Sledge Hammer:	How do you get the inspiration? From non-computer musicians (bands) or it just comes (after some booze)?
Strobo:	First of all, I am not a person to booze so much (Stellar - milk energy!). Lately there have been some occasions where I haven't been able to resist the pressure of surrounding persons, which has led me to booze a little. I don't know where my inspiration comes. When I started to make Amiga music, my inspiration came from other Amiga-musicians. Then it came from non-computer musicians, and now I'm making just something...
Sledge Hammer:	A last question about music-making: Do you agree with those who do not justify samples-stealing, or you'd give a chance to those who haven't got synthesizer?
Strobo:	I would really get angry if someone stole samples from one of my unfinished tunes, but for me it's OK to rip samples. I've done it very much myself. I still use ripped samples, especially drums. You can't hear it because they're mixed up so much.. :)
Sledge Hammer:	Well, now I'd continue asking you about the scene and your relationship with the scene. First do you think that scene-friends and normal friends are different?
Strobo:	Many scene-friends live in foreign countries. You know, that makes a difference. And to consider my contacts, I think I have a very open conversation with them.
Sledge Hammer:	The guy, who lives next to you and you played with in the kindergarden must be a closer friend than any scene-freak, don't you think?
Strobo:	I remember very clearly only one of the friends I had in kindergarden. And I haven't seen him for 10 years. That's mainly because we moved from the centrum of Helsinki to the suburb when I was 6 years old. The closest friends I have I've known only for a couple of years. To mention one of the closest, his name is Hara and his the Stellar animal.
Sledge Hammer:	I understand. Who could you call real friends in the scene? (please not gtx-list!) And why? For example do you know Heatbeat?
Strobo:	I call friends The Stellar Family (in full colour). I'm not going to mention all those Finnish guys I know and consider as friends. Schmoovy-Schmoov is one of the foreign guys I'd really like to call a friend.. I've met Heatbeat only twice. First time at the CNCD Fanta Party where he meditated and the second time at the Assembly'93 where I conversated with him a bit. Seemed to be a nice dude.
Sledge Hammer:	Are you all close friends in Stellar?
Strobo:	One thing which makes things difficult are the (no more) so high phonecosts. I can speak only for myself, but at least I try to be in contact with everyone in Stellar. Nobody's complaining. Myself I think we have a very good 'team-spirit'. The Stellar Family!
Sledge Hammer:	What does Stellar mean, and when was Stellar founded?
Strobo:	To me Stellar means nothing, of course only as a word. Stellar was founded in the end of '91 and The First Intro was released in April'92. The 18th or 19th intro is coming SOON!
Sledge Hammer:	Stellar is known because of its intros. Do you like this image or would you like to change it?
Strobo:	I think it's not a bad image at all. Of course a few demos wouldn't be a pain.
Sledge Hammer:	Have you got any offers from bigger groups both individually you or the whole Stellar to join?
Strobo:	Individually: Skid Row, Scoopex and Sonic. Seems like I'm really a respected musician! :) The whole Stellar has been asked several times to join other groups, but this family refuses. Always.
Sledge Hammer:	Is fame important for you? What's your most important thing what you get from the scene (why are you in the scene?)
Strobo:	Fame is not important for me. I'm more into getting fame in the area of real music. I think scene is the best hobby you can have. Hundreds of new personalities to get to know! I make music and graphics just because at times I do not want to get bored.
Sledge Hammer:	Thank you! After all that scene oriented topics I'd like to continue with asking you about real life.
Strobo:	Just go on.
Sledge Hammer:	Where do you live in Finland?
Strobo:	I live in the capital city of Finland, Helsinki. In a suburb called Puistola.
Sledge Hammer:	How is that place? How do you like to Party? Is there many possibilities?
Strobo:	This place is quite peaceful. I live in a big wooden house with my parents and some other people. This is a strange way of living indeed... Here in this house live 11 persons and we all have common kitchen and dining room and so on. Don't know what's this form of living called in english, but I hope you readers got it. I do not party very much, mainly because we do not have many parties here and I do not hang out in night clubs or restaurants. Or raves..
Sledge Hammer:	Are Finnish people different than others? I'm interested especially in girls...
Strobo:	We always thought that you were interested in boys! :) From my point of view (and not only my!) Finnish people are not so open than others. Girls talk and talk and talk, but mostly they talk about the boozing last friday. It's often very hard to get to talk something serious with them. Of course not all girls are like that, especially in my school there are many who are just the opposite.
Sledge Hammer:	Have you heard that Finns and Hungarians are relatives?
Strobo:	Yes. Have you heard that humans and apes are relatives? :)
Sledge Hammer:	All the best for you and all Stellar members, special thanks for Dalmak for his help.
Strobo:	Special thanks for Dalmak for some good jokes and bad english. Thanks also to Ben and all the Sledge Hammer crew for choosing my tune for the last issue of the magazine. For me that's all!