16th October 2021

Exclusive Interview: Funeral For Two talk writing, recording and Finnish pedal builder Ground King FX!

Like an episode of Mastermind we put the spotlight on Funeral For Two guitarist and vocalist Mikke Sillanpää for the second time in seven days (for his seven sins) to talk about how the Finnish Doom Metal trio put together their sophomore EP, the cunningly titled “II“. It was created with the assistance of Jiri Mustajärvi who took control over the recording and mixing these songs and also played drums due to, ah you know the story…

What did you learn from the studio time from your previous self titled EP that you took into the recording of “II“? ” Ööö…i don’t know. Well, to be honest, it’s always like too easy to work with Jiri [Mustajärvi] in the studio! I want songs to be ready when going to studio, some minor changes only.”

How does the writing process of a new Funeral For Two track start? Melody, riff or rhythm first? “Usually it starts with a riff or a melody, and they come to my mind out of nowhere… walking with a dog is one of those moments when I have this thing happening! After that I start to jam with the guitar and take parts from there and there… It doesn’t work for me, If I decide to go to the ‘office’ and ‘make’ a song… there is no soul in that way!”

If you could get a guest on board for a future release who would you like to work with and why? “I enjoy working with people, who give their best, passionate about it what we are doing! No surprise if I wanted to work with guys from Monolord! To record our first album at Studio Berserk, a dream come true!”

While Pete Rukkila is your drummer, you’ve been unable to have him record in the studio with you and have been fortunate enough to have Jiri Mustajärvi record, mix and play drums for you. How much has Mustajärvi added to the songs? Are you looking forward to being able to record with Rukkila in the future? “Unfortunately there has been a tough year for us, unable to rehearsal and record with Pete, but it will be better now! Lucky to have guy like Jiri around, he’s into this kind of music! It was really important to have second ‘ears’ while recording these songs.”

For us gear nerds out there, can you tell us what you’re using gear wise (pedals, strings, drums etc) to get your sound? “I like everything sound natural… Jiri were playing a vintage Ludwig drumset. I use Fuzz a lot, my main fuzz pedals are made by Finnish pedal builder Ground King FX. Hm-2 pedal was also used in the studio. A cheap analogue delay, Morley wah pedal and boss hm-3 on my pedalboard at the moment… always looking for a right tone, hah..! It’s like never ending thing… But I’m never gonna get rid of my OR120 orange head, it’s a killer!”

What difference would it make to you as a band if you could land an endorsement from a gear manufacturer? “Oh, that would be cool thing to happen! A couple of new guitars or new backline cabinets… Stay slow, stay loud, stay low!”

“II” by Funeral For Two is out now via Inverse Records and available over at bandcamp