In a recent interview, Samuli, a versatile guitarist and composer, shared insights into his diverse musical journey, spanning genres, teaching, and experiences in Algeria, where he's captivated by the warm audience and vibrant culture.
1.
Samuli, your musical journey has taken you through various genres, from rock
and metal to classical and electronica. How did this diverse range of
influences shape your unique style as a guitarist and composer?
Samuli:
I've always been a huge music lover and like music from all genres. Metal is
the main genre for me but I try to keep my mind open to everything else too.
I've always loved classical music too and I think it's possible to merge almost
anything together if you have the right vision for that. I've also played a lot
of American country music and I use quite a lot different kinds of coutry licks
and techniques in metal playing. It gives it a unique flavor when you don't
repeat the old metal cliches over and over again. I try to keep fresh and come
up with some new ideas.
2. With
a background in teaching guitar and a degree in guitar pedagogy, what advice do
you often share with aspiring musicians, especially those looking to master the
guitar?
Samuli: For
me the most important thing have been practicing as much as posssible. You
should become as good with your instrument as possible so the lack of skill
isn't on the way of your creativity. Or you need to visualize what kind of a
player you want to be and practice the skills required for that purpose. If you
want to be a great blues player then maybe don't waste your time on practicing
tapping but get familiar with with the blues aesthetics. Also I think you
should learn the notes on the fretboard so you really know your instrument. Be
patient with learning the guitar. it takes a lot of time and don't compare
yourself too much on the others. Try to find your own voice.
3.
You've played in multiple bands, worked as a session musician, and released
four solo albums. How do you navigate the different dynamics and creative
processes involved in these varied musical roles?
Samuli: I
like to keep busy and versatile. Also making a living by playing the guitar
requires a lot of commitment. It's easier to make some money when you are not
just doing one thing. For me I'm teaching, doing session studio work, play live
shows as solo artist and with different groups. It also challenges me as a
player and musician when you have to play with different kinds of bands. Again
here the key word is versatility. Also working with different people is
interesting. You can learn something from everybody and it makes you a stronger
musician.
4.
Recording guitars for over 30 albums and achieving a gold record status in
Finland is a remarkable feat. Can you share a particularly memorable experience
or project that stands out among your recording endeavors?
Samuli:
Thank you! Yes I love studio work and making albums. Right now there's several
yet unreleased album I played guitars on. Some of the most memorable sessions
were when I did a song with these Chinese musicians who were masters with their
tradidional instruments. It was interesting to combine my playing with these
old sounds like pipa and erhu. The song is called Waves of Sound from my Guitar
Kungfu album.
Also
receiving the gold record in Finand was a big thing and I also made a song with
the singer from Uriah Heep, mr. Bernie Shaw. The song is called Sunrise on the
latest Circus of Rock album so that was very cool for me.
5. Your
bio mentions that you perform as a solo artist, touring across several
countries. How do you adapt your musical presentation when performing solo
compared to collaborative settings?
Samuli: yes
it's a very different kind of situation when playing as a solo artist or with a
band. Basically when I'm performing as a solo artist I can do whatever I want.
Sometimes I can sense from the audience that they are very much into metal for
exapmle, so then I will play more like that. Sometimes they want hear more
classical or whatever so I can adapt into the situation and give a good show.
Then I always mix some of my own songs here and there and also play some famous
interantional songs that I have arranged into my style. Because I'm using
backing tracks I can also play big classical songs with a symphonic orchestra
which wouldn't be possible with a band. Of course I have performed with a real
symphonic orchestra in Finland. I have more than 100 songs in my set so there's
lot to choose from in any situation.
With a band
you usually have a speific set you have practiced. You rehearse these certain
songs and go out and play those. It's a different kind of scenario but I like
that too very much.
6.
Having toured in diverse locations like San Marino, Kosovo, and China, each
with its unique cultural background, how does the audience's response and
interaction differ from one place to another?
Samuli:
I've found that even though the cultures might be very different from each
other the audience is usually pretty much the same. Everybody likes to hear
nice music and have a good time. Some people in different coutries can be
louder and some people more reserved. Usually people respect if you play with a
lot feel and passion. If people can feel you are giving your everyhing and want
to give them a nice musical experience they respect that and enjoy the moment.
Almost everybody seems to like the classical stuff and the more epic metal
stuff I play like my song called Guitar Kungfu. Some people like to get up and
dance and some want to sit back and just listen so it's also interesting for me
to play in different cultures. You have to adapt little bit everytime and try
to feel what is the overall atmosphere in different locations.
7.
Samuli, having visited Algeria multiple times, it's evident that the country
holds a special place for you. Can you share why you specifically chose to
perform there, and what draws you to the Algerian audience?
Samuli: I
really like Algerian people and culture. In the beginning I was invited to play
in Algeria and of course I wanted to see how this would turn out. It's a very
different culture from Finland so I didn't know what to expect. I was happily
surprised when I arrived in Algeria and played my first shows. I also love
ethnic music and the traditional Algerian and Kabyl music is very interesting.
I'm trying to bring these elements into my own music in the future for sure. I
really hope to come back to Algeria and play more great shows in there.
8. Your
recent trip to Algeria must have been filled with unique experiences. Could you
elaborate on your journey there? Did you have the opportunity to meet and
interact with a diverse range of people? If so, could you share some memorable
moments or encounters from your time in Algeria?
Samuli: I
found out that everybody I met there were really welcoming and warm. Actually
I've never seen this kind of friendliness before. Even the security people at
the airport were very nice and I was talking about music with them.
Unfortunately I got a little bit sick during my tour in there and needed to
visit the hospital. It was fun to find out that the hospital staff were also
very friendly and they wanted to hear my music. So I played them some of my
songs from my phone while I got some vaccinations. They were super friendly and
laughing all the time so I felt really comfortable there. Also complete
strangers came to me at the streets and wanted just to talk and wished me a
great trip.
9.
You've had the privilege of performing with legends like Steve Vai and Michael
Monroe. Can you share a memorable moment or learning experience from sharing
the stage with such iconic figures?
Samuli:
I've met some of my heroes and even played with some of them. I've been a huge
Steve Vai fan so I was happy but very nervous when they requested me to play
with him. When I met Steve before the show I was surprised how nice and normal
he was. He created this very relaxed atmosphere around him so I felt pretty
calm playing with him. Same thing with Michael Monroe. He's the most friendly
guy there is but on stage he turns into a rock n roll beast. My lesson from
them is that always give your everything and be as good as you possible can.
Don't care about the others telling you to do things differently. Just follow
your own vision and keep practicing. Steve Vai is still practicing his guitar
playing every day so never give up.
10. Your
participation in Finland's Got Talent and becoming the fastest guitarist in
Finland on the Record Factory TV show must have been exciting. How did these
experiences impact your career and artistic approach?
Samuli: At
that time I felt that my career was a little bit stuck. I needed to do
something and getting on TV gives you huge visibility. It's very difficult for
a guitarist to get into TV so these formats gave me an opportunity for that. A
lot of people saw these shows and afterwards I gained many new fans because of
that. I also got more requests for shows and some promoters were contacting me
if I would perfrom here and there. So it was a really good and useful
experience. It was also really stressfull and difficult thing to play on TV so
I felt that I needed to overcome my fears and afterwards I felt it made me
again more stronger as a musician.
11.
Teaching guitar in a local music institute adds another dimension to your
career. How does teaching influence your own musical growth, and what do you
find most rewarding about mentoring aspiring musicians?
Samuli: I
love teaching and it's not only I'm giving something to the students. They also
give a lot to me and when teaching you have to on the top of your game. I have
some very good players as a students and sometimes I feel that I really have
practice to able to taech them, haha. Also it's nice to see when a beginner is
starting to be able to play the instrument and it makes them to feel good. It's
very rewarding to help other people achieve something. I also have to versatile
as a player since some of the students want to play jazz with an acoustic
guitar and some of them wants to play fast metal solos. You have to know little
bit about everything so that's a good challenge.
12. Your
recent performances in Algeria caught our attention. What led you to choose
Algeria as a performance destination, and how has your connection with the
Algerian audience evolved over time?
Samuli: I'm
happy to hear that. WIth every show and with every tour I hope to find some
good new friends and contacts. I feel that the tour has been succesful if I can
find the right people and contacts for the future. And I feel that way with you
guys. I've been surprised about how welcoming the Algerians are. I've had some
many messages from the locals asking me to come back and when is the next tour
happening. Since I play mainly mainly instrumental music I think it's very
suitable for everybody. Since music is an universal language so everybody can
understand it. Since there is not lyrics people can just feel it and enjoy it.
So it doesn't matter since my roots are in Finland and I'm playing in Algeria.
They can some to the show and just listen to musical stories without words.
13. Your
music combines various styles, presenting them in a virtuosic and energetic
manner. How do you approach the process of merging different genres seamlessly
to create a cohesive musical ensemble?
Samuli: I
think you have to have a strong vision of your style. Even though I merge
different genres into one song it doesn't work unless you have a clear idea on
how to do it. I want the to be a good song and not just a mix of everything.
You can for example play a jazz line with a metal sound so then it doesn's
sound like jazz but something unique. Same thing with cooking food; you can't
just throw different things into same pot. You have to know what you are doing
and have a vision how it should be. But you can come up with something new if
you keep testing and keep your mind open. I try to listen different styles of
music so sometimes you hear something cool and you get inspired. Then you take
this idea and use it for your own sound.
14.
Beyond music, you've also created demo videos and composed for different
companies. How does your creative process differ when working on projects
beyond the realm of traditional music releases?
Samuli:
This is also very fun work. It's a very different approach when composing music
for example for some commercial. You have to understand the feel of the product
and try to create a sound canvas for that. If I need to make music for a coffee
commercial it may not be the best idea to use metal music for that. Maybe
something jazzy and what serves the purpose of that product. I also made a song
for a race care company so this song had to be very energetic since race cards
have lots of power and energy. So I try to think what is the sound of that
product and serves the meaning of it. Sometimes I use piano for composing. It's
not always just the guitar. I try to think outside the guitar and hear which
sound works the best. Also when composing with a different instrument it can
give you very different kinds of ideas.
https://www.samulifederley.com/
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